Maternal Reaction and Psychological Coping After Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease.

Objectives: A diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) during fetal life or infancy can be devastating for parents, resulting in significant psychological stressors. The goals of this study were to (1) assess maternal resolution and adaptation to a new diagnosis of CHD, (2) explore how maternal resolution and adaptation relates to psychological well-being and (3) evaluate whether specific illness parameters impact resolution status.

Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated resolution to diagnosis in the first 6 months of life for mothers of children with CHD.

Describing Perceived Racial Bias Among Youth With Sickle Cell Disease.

Objectives: Sickle cell disease (SCD) predominately affects Black Americans. This is the first study of its kind to describe the racial bias experiences of youth with SCD and their reactions to these experiences.

Methods: Participants were 20 youth with SCD (ages 13-21 years) who were asked to describe any racial bias events they experienced, as recorded on the Perception of Racism in Children and Youth measure (PRaCY).

Parents' Experience of Hope When Their Child Has Cancer: Perceived Meaning and the Influence of Health Care Professionals.

Objective: This study examined the role and importance of hopefulness for parents of children with cancer, how hope relates to parents' experience with the diagnosis, and the influence nurses and other health care professionals have on parents' hope.

Method: Using an interview format, 50 parents of children diagnosed with cancer were given the Reaction to Diagnosis Interview, and asked 5 open-ended questions about hope. Answers were analyzed using content analysis.

Perceived Racial Bias and Health-Related Stigma Among Youth with Sickle Cell Disease.

Objective: Little is known about the role of perceived racial bias and health-related stigma on the health of youth with sickle cell disease (SCD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of perceived racial bias and health-related stigma among youth with SCD and its relationship with psychological and physical well-being.

Methods: Twenty-eight youth with SCD, ages 13 to 21, were recruited from outpatient and inpatient settings at an urban children's medical center.

Abdominal CT Does Not Improve Outcome for Children with Suspected Acute Appendicitis.

Introduction: Acute appendicitis in children is a clinical diagnosis, which often requires preoperative confirmation with either ultrasound (US) or computed tomography (CT) studies. CTs expose children to radiation, which may increase the lifetime risk of developing malignancy. US in the pediatric population with appropriate clinical follow up and serial exam may be an effective diagnostic modality for many children without incurring the risk of radiation.

Parents' Experience With Their Child's Cancer Diagnosis: Do Hopefulness, Family Functioning, and Perceptions of Care Matter?

Objectives: This study assessed the experience of parents who have a child diagnosed with cancer and whether parental hope, family functioning, and perceptions of care distinguish those parents who have adapted to the diagnosis versus those who have not adapted.

Methods: Fifty parents completed an interview about the diagnosis experience and questionnaires about hopefulness, family functioning, and family-centered care.

Results: A majority of parents had come to terms with the diagnosis; however, a subset indicated feeling emotionally disengaged from the experience and having persistent thoughts about why this had happened to them.

Parent adaptation and family functioning in relation to narratives of children with chronic illness.

Background: This study assessed the experience of parents who have a child diagnosed with chronic illness and whether children's narratives mirror these experiences.

Method: A total of 66 parents completed assessments about adaptation and family functioning. Children with type 1 diabetes or asthma participated in a story-stem narrative task.

Maternal distress influences young children's family representations through maternal view of child behavior and parent-child interactions.

Distress of a parent is a key influence on the quality of the child's experience in the family. We hypothesized that maternal distress would spill over into more negative views of their children's behaviors and less emotional availability in their relationships. Further, we investigated whether these cumulative experiences contributed to children's emerging narratives about mothers and family life.

Simulation training for surgical residents in pediatric trauma scenarios.

Introduction: Pediatric trauma requires several medical professionals working together as a highly functioning team. Since critical pediatric medical events are rare, routine practice can be one method of ensuring that all members communicate and provide quality care. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether high-fidelity simulation training improved surgery residents' knowledge and self-efficacy in relation to pediatric trauma scenarios.