Kawasaki Disease Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Population-based Study in the United States.

Background: A decrease in the incidence of Kawasaki disease during the COVID-19 pandemic has been reported globally. Yet, previous US studies utilized patient populations of limited size and geographic scope, leaving a knowledge gap regarding the national trend. Employing a large sample size will increase the generalizability of the results and allow for more detailed analyses.

Current Postlaunch Implementation of State Mandates of Newborn Screening for Critical Congenital Heart Disease by Pulse Oximetry in U.S. States and Hospitals.

Objective: Our objective was to gauge adherence to nationally endorsed protocols in implementation of pulse oximetry (POx) screening for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) in infants after mandate by all states and to assess associated characteristics.

Study Design: Between March and October 2019, an online questionnaire was administered to nurse supervisors who oversee personnel conducting POx screening. The questionnaire used eight questions regarding performance and interpretation of screening protocols to measure policy consistency, which is adherence to nationally endorsed protocols for POx screening developed by professional medical societies.

Pulse Oximetry Screening: Association of State Mandates with Emergency Hospitalizations.

We evaluated the association between implementation of state-mandated pulse oximetry screening (POS) and rates of emergency hospitalizations among infants with Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) and assessed differences in that association across race/ethnicity. We hypothesized that emergency hospitalizations among infants with CCHD decreased after implementation of mandated POS and that the reduction was larger among racial and ethnic minorities compared to non-Hispanic Whites. We utilized statewide inpatient databases from Arizona, California, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, and Washington State (2010-2014).

Effect of newborn screening for critical CHD on healthcare utilisation.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of state-mandated policies for pulse oximetry screening on healthcare utilisation, with a focus on use of echocardiograms.

Data Sources/study Setting: Healthcare Cost and Utilisation Project, Statewide Inpatient Databases from 2008 to 2014 from six states.

Methods: We defined pre- and post-mandate cohorts based on dates when pulse oximetry became mandated in each state.

Asthma Hospitalizations Among Homeless Children in New York State.

Background And Objectives: Asthma is widely prevalent among US children, particularly in homeless children, who often lack proper medication storage or the ability to avoid environmental triggers. In this study, we assess asthma-attributed health care use among homeless youth. We hypothesize that asthma hospitalization rates, symptom severity, and admission through the emergency department (ED) will be higher among homeless youth compared with nonhomeless youth.

Impact of pediatric cardiac surgery regionalization on health care utilization and mortality.

Objective: Regionalization directs patients to high-volume hospitals for specialized care. We investigated regionalization trends and outcomes in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Data Sources/study Setting: Statewide inpatient data from eleven states between 2000 and 2012.

Patient characteristics and incidence of childhood hospitalisation due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the United States of America 2001-2014.

This study investigated patient characteristics in paediatric hospitalisations for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. We used Nationwide Inpatient Sample, which is the largest all-payer inpatient database in the United States, yielding nationally representative estimates, from 2001 to 2014. ICD-9-CM diagnostic codes identified hospitalisations for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and <18 years.

Patient Characteristics and Emergency Department Factors Associated with Survival After Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Children and Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of a Nationally Representative Sample, 2006-2013.

The purpose of the study is to examine (1) nationally representative incidence rates of Emergency Department (ED) visits due to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in pediatric and young adult populations, (2) basic characteristics of the ED visits with SCA, and (3) patient and hospital factors associated with survival after SCA. We used the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample from 2006 to 2013. ICD-9-CM diagnostic codes identified ED visits due to SCA for patients ≤ 30 years old.

Impact of AHA's 2007 guideline change on incidence of infective endocarditis in infants and children.

Unlabelled: Use a nationally representative sample to assess impacts of new clinical guidelines issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) in 2007 for many types of invasive procedures, with recommendations for significant decreases in antimicrobial prophylaxis use.

Study Design: Interrupted time series analyses of pediatric hospitalizations for Infective Endocarditis (IE), using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) ICD-9-CM diagnostic codes, identified IE hospitalizations for patients <18 years old from 2001 to 2012. Changes in IE incidence before and after 2007 AHA guidelines were evaluated, with differences in IE clinical severity assessed using in-hospital mortality and length of stay.

Handshake-free zone in a neonatal intensive care unit: Initial feasibility study.

Background: The handshake represents a social custom with special importance in health care settings. However, handshakes can transmit disease and compliance with hand hygiene protocols averages <50%. We hypothesized that a handshake-free zone (HFZ) could be established within our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and would be well-received by patient families and their health care providers (HCPs).

Comparison of formulas for calculation of the corrected QT interval in infants and young children.

Objective: To compare 4 heart rate correction formulas for calculation of the rate corrected QT (QTc) interval among infants and young children.

Study Design: R-R and QT intervals were measured from digital electrocardiograms. QTc were calculated with the Bazett, Fridericia, Hodges, and Framingham formulas.

Genetic variants for long QT syndrome among infants and children from a statewide newborn hearing screening program cohort.

Objectives: Autosomal recessive long QT syndrome (LQTS), or Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome (JLNS), can be associated with sensorineural hearing loss. We aimed to explore newborn hearing screening combined with electrocardiograms (ECGs) for early JLNS detection.

Study Design: In California, we conducted statewide, prospective ECG screening of children ≤ 6 years of age with unilateral or bilateral, severe or profound, sensorineural or mixed hearing loss.

Active surveillance of sudden cardiac death in young athletes by periodic Internet searches.

The authors hypothesized that prospective, systematic Internet searches could identify occurrences of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes and would be useful for establishing a system of active surveillance. Weekly advanced Google searches of the Internet were conducted for cases of SCD in young athletes during a 12-month period (2007-2008). Athletes ages 11-30 years who collapsed during a game, practice, or within an hour of exercise were included in the study.

Benefits of care coordination for children with complex disease: a pilot medical home project in a resident teaching clinic.

Objective: To study the integration of comprehensive care coordination for children with complex disease in our resident education clinic at University of California Los Angeles by analyzing alterations in medical resource use.

Study Design: The Pediatric Medical Home Project at University of California Los Angeles was designed to include 4 basic elements: 1) 60-minute intake appointment; 2) follow-up appointments twice the length of a standard visit; 3) access to a "family liaison"; and 4) a family notebook ("All about Me" binder). From the initial cohort of 43 patients, encounter data on 30 were analyzed to determine use of outpatient, urgent, emergency department (ED), and inpatient services.

Measuring the effects of massage on exercise performance and cardiopulmonary response in children with and without heart disease: a pilot study.

Background: Congenital heart disease, a common and serious birth defect, affects 8 per 1000 live-born infants. Decreased exercise capacity and development of obesity is common in this population. These children may benefit from therapies, such as massage therapy, that could enhance cardiovascular and skeletal muscle function when they exercise.

Impact of palivizumab on RSV hospitalizations for children with hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of palivizumab prophylaxis on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalizations among children with hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease (CHD). In 2003, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) revised the bronchiolitis policy statement and recommended the use of palivizumab in children <24 months old with hemodynamically significant CHD (HS-CHD). California statewide hospital discharge data from years 2000-2002 (pre-AAP policy revision) were compared to those from years 2004-2006 (post-AAP policy revision).

Electrocardiogram screening of infants for long QT syndrome: survey of pediatric cardiologists in North America.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate current opinions toward screening infants for long QT syndrome (LQTS) by electrocardiogram (ECG) among pediatric cardiologists in North America.

Background: Research from Italy shows that ECG screening of infants for LQTS is cost-effective.

Methods: E-mail invitations were sent to 1045 pediatric cardiologists in North America listed in the American Academy of Pediatrics directory.

Prenatal screening for major congenital heart disease: superiority of outflow tracts over the 4-chamber view.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the relative importance of the 4-chamber view (4CV) compared with the outflow tract views (OFTVs) in prenatal screening for major congenital heart disease (CHD).

Methods: We prospectively evaluated 200 consecutive infants undergoing cardiac surgery at our institution for major CHD. By reviewing the infants' medical records and conducting bedside interviews with their parents or guardians, we evaluated detection rates both prenatally and postnatally (before and after discharge to home), and we noted any prenatally identifiable risk factors for CHD.

Missed diagnosis of critical congenital heart disease.

Objectives: To evaluate the rate and the clinical and demographic characteristics of missed diagnosis of critical congenital heart disease (CCHD).

Design: Population-based retrospective study of 1989-2004 California statewide death registry data.

Setting: California.

Screening newborns for congenital heart disease with pulse oximetry: survey of pediatric cardiologists.

Background: Controversies exist regarding the use of pulse oximetry for routine screening of newborns. This study aimed to evaluate current practices and opinions of pediatric cardiologists in relation to newborn screening for congenital heart disease (CHD) using pulse oximetry.

Methods: Email invitations were sent to 1,045 pediatric cardiologists in North America.

Sudden infant death syndrome: changing epidemiologic patterns in California 1989-2004.

Objective: To evaluate the changes of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) epidemiology in California.

Study Design: We used 1989 to 2004 California statewide death registry data. SIDS cases were selected by "age of decedent" <1 year and "cause of death" listed as SIDS.

Growth and weight gain of prepubertal children after cardiac transplantation.

This study evaluated changes in growth parameters after pediatric heart transplantation and identified factors associated with the changes after pediatric heart transplantation (OHT). We retrospectively evaluated the somatic growth of 46 children <11 yr of age who underwent OHT for changes in weight, height, and BMI. The patient age range was 3.

Sex-related disparity in surgical mortality among pediatric patients.

Background: It has been reported that gender differences in cardiovascular outcomes found in adults also are present in children who undergo surgical repair for congenital heart disease.

Methods: California statewide hospital discharge data 1989-99 were used to study outcomes in children <18 years undergoing cardiac surgery. Hospital discharge data were linked to death registry data to study postdischarge death within 30 days of discharge.

Risk factors for deaths occurring within 30 days and 1 year after hospital discharge for cardiac surgery among pediatric patients.

Background: Little is known regarding the risk factors for early and late death after hospital discharge among pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods: Statewide hospital discharge data from California in 1989 to 1999 were used to study outcomes of children <18 years old who had a procedure code (by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification) indicating cardiac surgery. The outcome variable was death occurring after hospital discharge.

Changes in the newborn delivery practice and neonatal outcomes as financing changed in Los Angeles County and Orange County, California.

The objective of this investigation was to study changes in newborn delivery during a period of extensive changes in financing mechanisms in Los Angeles County (LAC) and Orange County (OC), California. California hospital discharge data (1990-1999) were used for the analyses. The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) was calculated to measure the distribution of newborn deliveries among hospitals.