Virtual Reality as Active Distraction in Laceration Repair: A Game Changer?

Objectives: We conducted an unblinded, randomized control trial to determine if immersive virtual reality (VR) goggles decrease pain and fear scores in children undergoing laceration repair in the pediatric emergency department (PED) compared to the standard of care. Secondary outcomes included duration of procedure, physical holding, anxiolytic usage, and desire to use VR goggles again.

Methods: Ninety-one patients aged 6-17 years in a PED with simple lacerations sutured by PED staff completed surveys.

A Multidisciplinary Assessment of Standard Low Dose Versus Ultra-low Dose Chest CT Scans for Pectus Excavatum Imaging.

Aim: Evaluation of ultra-low dose chest CT imaging for the assessment of pectus excavatum severity as determined by pediatric radiologists and pediatric surgeons using Haller (HI) and Correction indices (CI).

Methods: A single institution, prospective evaluation of patients being evaluated for pectus excavatum were scanned with a standard low-dose chest CT protocol (CARE) followed by a consecutive ultra-low dose CT scan (ULTRA). 3 surgeons and 4 radiologists were instructed to determine HI and CI in each series.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity.

Importance: Prior research has demonstrated an association between vitamin D deficiency and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults; however, its association with pediatric OSA is emerging.

Objective: To evaluate the association of vitamin D levels with obstructive Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) in children with OSA.

Design, Settings, And Participants: This was a cross-sectional study of children aged 2 to 16 years with severe obstructive OSA (AHI ≥20 on polysomnogram) who were undergoing adenotonsillectomy at a tertiary care pediatric otolaryngology clinic from 2017 to 2022.

ADHD prescription patterns and medication adherence in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in an urban academic setting.

Background: COVID-19 impacted all students, especially those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), putting them at risk for disruption to their medication regimen and school performance. Our study aimed to identify if ADHD medication regimens were disrupted through analyzing prescription refills and if telehealth management demonstrated a higher rate of adherence.

Methods: A total of 396 patients from the General Academic Pediatrics (GAP) clinic at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters (CHKD) were included in the study.

Secondhand Smoke Exposure Measured in Urinary Cotinine Levels and Severity of Pediatric Sleep Apnea.

Importance: Exposure to secondhand smoke has been associated with numerous health problems in children, including obstructive sleep apnea. Secondhand smoke exposure may be a risk factor for increased pediatric sleep apnea severity.

Objectives: To assess the association of secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe), quantified by urinary cotinine levels, with severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children.