Adherence in Evidence-Based Neurotrauma Guidelines: A Worldwide Survey.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) management guidelines vary across regions and there is limited research on real-world adherence to these guidelines. We conducted a global survey to assess the adherence of neurosurgeons to TBI guidelines and evidence-based medicine (EBM).

Method: A 24-item survey was created using Google Forms, covering demographic information, neurotrauma training, basic knowledge of EBM, surgical and in-hospital management.

Complication of Gastric Balloon in an Adolescent Patient: A Case Report.

As the prevalence of childhood obesity continues to rise, there is an increase in demand for temporary and minimally invasive alternatives to bariatric surgery as solutions for addressing pediatric obesity. Intragastric balloon (IGB) placement is an increasingly popular methodology for addressing adult obesity; however, it is not approved for the pediatric population. We describe the case of a 17-year-old adolescent female who underwent IGB placement in Colombia and failed to receive proper follow-up care in the country of insertion resulting in a gastric outlet obstruction.

Factors Associated with Loss to Follow-Up in Pediatric Concussion Patients after Initial Visit: A Retrospective Study at a Concussion Clinic.

Objective: The objective of this retrospective study is to identify factors associated with loss to follow-up for postconcussion clearance in pediatric patients by comparing loss to follow-up and full clearance patients.

Study Design: This retrospective single-center cohort study analyzed 140 consecutive patients at a pediatric concussion clinic of a safety-net hospital for loss to follow-up, defined as not achieving clearance at last appointment. Univariate and multivariate regression models were fit on variables of interest, including demographic, mechanism and severity of concussion, and characteristics of the first evaluation postconcussion and follow-up management.

Pediatric Asthma Impairment and Risk Questionnaire: Rationale and development of a composite control tool.

Background: Asthma in children is a leading cause of missed school days, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. Approximately 40% of children with asthma experience uncontrolled disease and annual exacerbations. There is a need for a validated composite tool for children, such as the Asthma Impairment and Risk Questionnaire (AIRQ), which was developed to assess current control and predict exacerbations in adolescents and adults with asthma.

The epidemiologic associations of food availability with national incidence and disability rates of idiopathic pediatric epilepsy.

Background: The epidemiology of idiopathic pediatric epilepsy globally continues to be defined. To date there has been no evaluation of how national food availability may associate with the incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost from this condition. Correspondingly, the aim of this study was to define if such associations exist.

Myelomeningocele repair in Latin America: a systematic review.

Objective: Myelomeningocele (MMC) carries high morbidity and mortality. The Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) showed improved outcomes after prenatal compared to postnatal repair. However, it is unclear how the MOMS trial affected practice and outcomes in the Latin American region.

Validation of hemispherectomy outcome prediction scale in treatment of medically intractable epilepsy.

The Hemispherectomy Outcome Prediction Scale (HOPS) was developed to aid both clinicians and patients in determining the chance of success after hemispheric surgery for medically refractory epilepsy. The original study generating HOPS had a multi-institutional, large cohort format yielding near perfect patient stratification. Evidence suggests that methodologies utilized to create such predictive models, including cross-validation as well as stratification utilizing the same data employed for model generation, may be at risk of an undesirable modeling phenomenon known as overfitting.

"Unidos Hablemos" - description of a virtual conference series to engage the Hispanic and Latino community in asthma and COVID-19 education and research.

Background: Inequity in asthma and COVID-19 outcomes and research among Hispanic or Latino individuals is well established. Patient centered outcomes research (PCOR) may help address these inequalities. This report describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a virtual conference series program titled "Unidos Hablemos de/United, Let's Talk About" intended to address the health literacy of the Hispanic/Latino community regarding asthma and COVID-19 and to encourage involvement in PCOR.

Severe Rheumatic Carditis in a High Resource Setting.

A 6-year-old boy developed acute rheumatic fever after group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Despite prompt diagnosis and adequate treatment, he developed progressive rheumatic heart disease. Given the rarity of acute rheumatic fever in the U.

ReNeu: A Pivotal, Phase IIb Trial of Mirdametinib in Adults and Children With Symptomatic Neurofibromatosis Type 1-Associated Plexiform Neurofibroma.

Purpose: Pharmacologic therapies for neurofibromatosis type 1-associated plexiform neurofibromas (NF1-PNs) are limited; currently, none are US Food and Drug Administration-approved for adults.

Methods: ReNeu is an open-label, multicenter, pivotal, phase IIb trial of mirdametinib in 58 adults (≥18 years of age) and 56 children (2 to 17 years of age) with NF1-PN causing significant morbidities. Patients received mirdametinib capsules or tablets for oral suspension (2 mg/m twice daily, maximum 4 mg twice daily), regardless of food intake, in 3 weeks on/1 week off 28-day cycles.

Adolescent microsurgical varicocelectomy and changes in sperm parameters: A matched cohort analysis.

Background: Varicocele, a common vascular abnormality surrounding the testis, is known to be associated with impaired semen parameters and male infertility in adults. However, its impact on the adolescent and young adult (AYA) population is less well known.

Objectives: The study aimed to assess the improvement in sperm parameters following varicocelectomy in the AYA population, comparing them to matched adult counterparts, and investigating potential advantages of early intervention.

High-Intensity Gait Training Intervention for Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Case Series.

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot case series was to describe participation in high-intensity gait training (HIGT) and changes in (1) gait speed/endurance, (2) aerobic capacity, and (3) walking ability in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: Three children with CP participated in HIGT for 5weeks in lieu of their routine physical therapy. Outcome measures were collected at baseline and post-intervention.

Pointe Readiness in Youth Ballet Dancers: A Pilot Study on Dance Instructor Decision Making.

Transiting to dancing en pointe is an important milestone for young dancers who wish to progress in ballet training. Various criteria exist regarding pointe readiness, including age, range-of-motion, endurance, strength, balance, and technique. However, awareness and use of these criteria by dance instructors is currently unknown.

Physical Activity and Executive Functioning in Children and Adolescents with Congenital Heart Defects: A Scoping Review.

Children and adolescents (C&As) with congenital heart defects (CHDs) have decreased functional capacity and executive functioning (EF) due to brain abnormalities and decreased cerebral perfusion. Exercise may improve EF via increased cognitive demands and cerebral blood supply. The purpose of this review was to identify evidence describing the impact of physical activity (PA) interventions on EF in C&As with CHDs.

Antiseizure medication practices in the adult traumatic brain injury patient population.

Background: Antiseizure medication (ASM) use in traumatic brain injuries (TBI) reduces the risk of early post-traumatic seizure (PTS). Agent selection and dosing strategies remain inconsistent among trauma centers in the United States.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize the most common PTS prophylaxis regimens among adult trauma centers in brain injured patients throughout the United States.

Patient-Reported Outcomes Among Adults With Congenital Heart Disease in the Congenital Heart Initiative Registry.

Importance: In the US, there are more than 1.5 million adults living with congenital heart disease (CHD). The Congenital Heart Initiative (CHI) is a digital, online, patient-empowered registry that was created to advance multicenter research and improve clinical care by gathering patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in adults with CHD.

Dysphagia in Epilepsy Patients: The Silent Enemy.

Purpose Of Review: Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, affects several individuals globally and can contribute to a reduced quality of life and partial medication adherence, especially in patients with epilepsy. There is also a lack of awareness and understanding of dysphagia among both health care providers and patients. This review examines the interplay between dysphagia and epilepsy treatment and the potential for optimizing diagnosis and intervention.

Liver and Bilateral Tubo-Ovarian Abscesses Caused by Streptococcus constellatus in an Immunocompetent Adolescent: A Case Report.

Opportunistic infections most often occur in immunocompromised patients, however, they can also occur in immunocompetent patients. While rare, bacterial infections such as those from  () can cause severe pyogenic infections and abscess formations. It is important to understand the risk factors, diagnostic workup, and management of patients with this rare but enduring bacterial infection.