Evaluation and Treatment of Congenital Syphilis: A National Survey of US Pediatric Specialists.

: As congenital syphilis incidence continues to increase yearly in the United States (US), recommendations from government and professional organizations aim to inform effective clinical practice, although it is unclear how closely these recommendations are followed. This study surveyed US pediatric specialists regarding their approach to congenital syphilis diagnosis and treatment to examine decision-making relative to practice guidelines and subspecialty. : US pediatric physicians recruited from subspecialty directories were sent an online survey conducted in March-April 2024.

Navigating the Spectrum of Two Pediatric COVID-19 Complications: Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Purpose: This review summarizes the current scope of understanding associated with two common post-infectious complications associated with COVID-19 infection: Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). It identifies current gaps in the knowledge and issues that may limit the ability to fill these gaps. This review provides a framework to drive continued research.

Antimicrobial stewardship for nurse practitioners and physician assistants: enhancing patient safety through education.

Background: As nurse practitioners and physician assistants (APPs) become more prevalent in delivering pediatric care, their involvement in antimicrobial stewardship efforts increases in importance. This project aimed to create and assess the efficacy of a problem-based learning (PBL) approach to teaching APPs antimicrobial stewardship principles.

Methods: A PBL education initiative was developed after communication with local APP leadership and focus group feedback.

Unusual Presentation of Pediatric Scurvy: A Necrotic Gastrostomy Tube Site in a 14-Year-Old Boy.

BACKGROUND Despite being considered a disease of the past, pediatric scurvy is increasingly reported in developed countries, especially among children with autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays, or a restrictive diet. Pediatric patients typically present with lower extremity pain or refusal to walk. This case study features an atypical presentation of scurvy in a non-ambulatory patient.

Fluoroquinolone Use Among Hospitalized Children: Diagnosis-Based Stratification to Identify Stewardship Targets.

Background: As FQ (fluoroquinolone) use has shifted in pediatric populations, better metrics are needed to guide targeted antibiotic stewardship interventions and limit development of adverse events and resistance, particularly in medically complex children. In this study, we identify high-utilization groups based on underlying medical conditions and describe their relative FQ use over time.

Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of data from the Pediatric Health Information System database from 2016 to 2020.

Sociodemographic Comparison of Children With High-risk Medical Conditions Referred vs Identified Through Screening Plus Outreach for COVID-19 Therapeutics.

Importance: Minoritized groups are less likely to receive COVID-19 therapeutics, but few studies have identified potential methods to reduce disparities.

Objective: To determine whether screening plus outreach, when compared with referral alone, increases identification of vulnerable pediatric patients at high risk for severe disease eligible for COVID-19 therapeutics from low-resourced communities.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A retrospective cohort study of COVID-19 medication allocation between January 1, 2022, and February 15, 2022, at Lurie Children's Hospital, a quaternary care children's hospital, in Chicago, Illinois.

Staphylococcus aureus-Associated Glomerulonephritis and Chronic Granulomatous Disease in an Adolescent Male.

Staphylococcus-associated glomerulonephritis (GN) is an uncommon diagnosis in pediatric patients. Empiric therapy with steroids alone could potentially worsen the underlying infectious process in these patients, leading to worse clinical outcomes. An adolescent male diagnosed with GN was subsequently found to have chronic granulomatous disease with a Staphylococcus aureus liver abscess.

Plasma next-generation sequencing for diagnosis of amebic liver abscess in a non-endemic area.

Amebic liver abscess (ALA) is a common condition in the developing world but is rare in the United States without a clear exposure risk. It is even less common to develop in an infant. The diagnosis of ALA can be logistically difficult and often requires invasive procedures and testing with slow turnaround times.

Use of the Electronic Health Record to Optimize Antimicrobial Prescribing.

Purpose: This review summarizes how interventions in the electronic health record (EHR) can optimize antimicrobial stewardship across the continuum of antimicrobial decision making, from diagnosis of infection to discontinuation of therapy. In addition, opportunities to optimize provider communication and patient education are identified.

Methods: A narrative review was conducted to identify how interventions in the EHR can influence antimicrobial prescribing behavior.