Peter S. Dayan

Identification of children at very low risk of clinically-important brain injuries after head trauma: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND CT imaging of head-injured children has risks of radiation-induced malignancy. Our aim was to identify children at very low risk of clinically-important traumatic brain injuries (ciTBI) for whom CT might be unnecessary. METHODS We enrolled patients younger than 18 years presenting within 24 h of head trauma with Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 14-15 in 25 North American emergency departments. We derived and validated age-specific prediction rules for ciTBI (death from traumatic brain injury, neurosurgery, intubation >24 h, or hospital admission >or=2 nights). FINDINGS We enrolled and analysed 42 412 children (derivation and validation populations: 8502 and 2216 younger than 2 years, and 25 283 and 6411 aged 2 years and older). We obtained CT scans on 14 969 (35.3%); ciTBIs occurred in 376 (0.9%), and 60 (0.1%) underwent neurosurgery. In the validation population, the prediction rule for children younger than 2 years (normal mental status, no scalp haematoma except frontal, no loss of consciousness or loss of consciousness for less than 5 s, non-severe injury mechanism, no palpable skull fracture, and acting normally according to the parents) had a negative predictive value for ciTBI of 1176/1176 (100.0%, 95% CI 99.7-100 0) and sensitivity of 25/25 (100%, 86.3-100.0). 167 (24.1%) of 694 CT-imaged patients younger than 2 years were in this low-risk group. The prediction rule for children aged 2 years and older (normal mental status, no loss of consciousness, no vomiting, non-severe injury mechanism, no signs of basilar skull fracture, and no severe headache) had a negative predictive value of 3798/3800 (99.95%, 99.81-99.99) and sensitivity of 61/63 (96.8%, 89.0-99.6). 446 (20.1%) of 2223 CT-imaged patients aged 2 years and older were in this low-risk group. Neither rule missed neurosurgery in validation populations. INTERPRETATION These validated prediction rules identified children at very low risk of ciTBIs for whom CT can routinely be obviated. FUNDING The Emergency Medical Services for Children Programme of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau Research Programme, Health Resources and Services Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services.

Clinical and demographic factors associated with urinary tract infection in young febrile infants

Objective. Previous research has identified clinical predictors for urinary tract infection (UTI) to guide urine screening in febrile children <24 months of age. These studies have been limited to single centers, and few have focused on young infants who may be most at risk for complications if a UTI is missed. The objective of this study was to identify clinical and demographic factors associated with UTI in febrile infants who are ≤60 days of age using a prospective multicenter cohort. Methods. We conducted a multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional study during consecutive bronchiolitis seasons. All febrile (≥38°C) infants who were ≤60 days of age and seen at any of 8 pediatric emergency departments from October through March 1999–2001 were eligible. Clinical appearance was evaluated using the Yale Observation Scale. UTI was defined as growth of a known bacterial pathogen from a catheterized specimen at a level of (1) ≥50000 cfu/mL or (2) ≥10000 cfu/mL in association with a positive dipstick test or urinalysis. We used bivariate tests and multiple logistic regression to identify demographic and clinical factors that were associated with the likelihood of UTI. Results. A total of 1025 (67%) of 1513 eligible patients were enrolled; 9.0% of enrolled infants received a diagnosis of UTI. Uncircumcised male infants had a higher rate of UTI (21.3%) compared with female (5.0%) and circumcised male (2.3%) infants. Infants with maximum recorded temperature of ≥39°C had a higher rate of UTI (16.3%) than other infants (7.2%). After multivariable adjustment, UTI was associated with being uncircumcised (odds ratio: 10.4; bias-corrected 95% confidence interval: 4.7–31.4) and maximum temperature (odds ratio: 2.4 per °C; 95% confidence interval: 1.5–3.6). Factors that were reported previously to be associated with risk for UTI in infants and toddlers, such as white race and ill appearance, were not significantly associated with risk for UTI in this cohort of young infants. Conclusions. Being uncircumcised and height of fever were associated with UTI in febrile infants who were ≤60 days of age. Uncircumcised male infants were at particularly high risk and may warrant a different approach to screening and management.

Effect of Antibiotic Pretreatment on Cerebrospinal Fluid Profiles of Children With Bacterial Meningitis

OBJECTIVE. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of antibiotic administration before lumbar puncture on cerebrospinal fluid profiles in children with bacterial meningitis. METHODS. We reviewed the medical records of all children (1 month to 18 years of age) with bacterial meningitis who presented to 20 pediatric emergency departments between 2001 and 2004. Bacterial meningitis was defined by positive cerebrospinal fluid culture results for a bacterial pathogen or cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis with positive blood culture and/or cerebrospinal fluid latex agglutination results. Probable bacterial meningitis was defined as positive cerebrospinal fluid Gram stain results with negative results of bacterial cultures of blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Antibiotic pretreatment was defined as any antibiotic administered within 72 hours before the lumbar puncture. RESULTS. We identified 231 patients with bacterial meningitis and another 14 with probable bacterial meningitis. Of those 245 patients, 85 (35%) had received antibiotic pretreatment. After adjustment for patient age, duration and severity of illness at presentation, and bacterial pathogen, longer duration of antibiotic pretreatment was not significantly associated with cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell count, cerebrospinal fluid absolute neutrophil count. However, antibiotic pretreatment was significantly associated with higher cerebrospinal fluid glucose and lower cerebrospinal fluid protein levels. Although these effects became apparent earlier, patients with ≥12 hours of pretreatment, compared with patients who either were not pretreated or were pretreated for <12 hours, had significantly higher median cerebrospinal fluid glucose levels (48 mg/dL vs 29 mg/dL) and lower median cerebrospinal fluid protein levels (121 vs 178 mg/dL). CONCLUSIONS. In patients with bacterial meningitis, antibiotic pretreatment is associated with higher cerebrospinal fluid glucose levels and lower cerebrospinal fluid protein levels, although pretreatment does not modify cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell count or absolute neutrophil count results.

Identifying Children at Very Low Risk of Clinically Important Blunt Abdominal Injuries

STUDY OBJECTIVE We derive a prediction rule to identify children at very low risk for intra-abdominal injuries undergoing acute intervention and for whom computed tomography (CT) could be obviated. METHODS We prospectively enrolled children with blunt torso trauma in 20 emergency departments. We used binary recursive partitioning to create a prediction rule to identify children at very low risk of intra-abdominal injuries undergoing acute intervention (therapeutic laparotomy, angiographic embolization, blood transfusion for abdominal hemorrhage, or intravenous fluid for ≥2 nights for pancreatic/gastrointestinal injuries). We considered only historical and physical examination variables with acceptable interrater reliability. RESULTS We enrolled 12,044 children with a median age of 11.1 years (interquartile range 5.8, 15.1 years). Of the 761 (6.3%) children with intra-abdominal injuries, 203 (26.7%) received acute interventions. The prediction rule consisted of (in descending order of importance) no evidence of abdominal wall trauma or seat belt sign, Glasgow Coma Scale score greater than 13, no abdominal tenderness, no evidence of thoracic wall trauma, no complaints of abdominal pain, no decreased breath sounds, and no vomiting. The rule had a negative predictive value of 5,028 of 5,034 (99.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 99.7% to 100%), sensitivity of 197 of 203 (97%; 95% CI 94% to 99%), specificity of 5,028 of 11,841 (42.5%; 95% CI 41.6% to 43.4%), and negative likelihood ratio of 0.07 (95% CI 0.03 to 0.15). CONCLUSION A prediction rule consisting of 7 patient history and physical examination findings, and without laboratory or ultrasonographic information, identifies children with blunt torso trauma who are at very low risk for intra-abdominal injury undergoing acute intervention. These findings require external validation before implementation.

The Effect of Observation on Cranial Computed Tomography Utilization for Children After Blunt Head Trauma

OBJECTIVE: Children with minor blunt head trauma often are observed in the emergency department before a decision is made regarding computed tomography use. We studied the impact of this clinical strategy on computed tomography use and outcomes. METHODS: We performed a subanalysis of a prospective multicenter observational study of children with minor blunt head trauma. Clinicians completed case report forms indicating whether the child was observed before making a decision regarding computed tomography. We defined clinically important traumatic brain injury as an intracranial injury resulting in death, neurosurgical intervention, intubation for longer than 24 hours, or hospital admission for 2 nights or longer. To compare computed tomography rates between children observed and those not observed before a decision was made regarding computed tomography use, we used a generalized estimating equation model to control for hospital clustering and patient characteristics. RESULTS: Of 42 412 children enrolled in the study, clinicians noted if the patient was observed before making a decision on computed tomography in 40 113 (95%). Of these, 5433 (14%) children were observed. The computed tomography use rate was lower in those observed than in those not observed (31.1% vs 35.0%; difference: −3.9% [95% confidence interval: −5.3 to −2.6]), but the rate of clinically important traumatic brain injury was similar (0.75% vs 0.87%; difference: −0.1% [95% confidence interval: −0.4 to 0.1]). After adjustment for hospital and patient characteristics, the difference in the computed tomography use rate remained significant (adjusted odds ratio for obtaining a computed tomography in the observed group: 0.53 [95% confidence interval: 0.43–0.66]). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical observation was associated with reduced computed tomography use among children with minor blunt head trauma and may be an effective strategy to reduce computed tomography use.

Febrile Infants With Urinary Tract Infections at Very Low Risk for Adverse Events and Bacteremia

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence from which to derive guidelines for the management of febrile infants aged 29 to 60 days with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Most such infants are hospitalized for ≥48 hours. Our objective was to derive clinical prediction models to identify febrile infants with UTIs at very low risk of adverse events and bacteremia in a large sample of patients. METHODS: This study was a 20-center retrospective review of infants aged 29 to 60 days with temperatures of ≥38°C and culture-proven UTIs. We defined UTI by growth of ≥50 000 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL of a single pathogen or ≥10 000 CFU/mL in association with positive urinalyses. We defined adverse events as death, shock, bacterial meningitis, ICU admission need for ventilator support, or other substantial complications. We performed binary recursive partitioning analyses to derive prediction models. RESULTS: We analyzed 1895 patients. Adverse events occurred in 51 of 1842 (2.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.1%–3.6%)] and bacteremia in 123 of 1877 (6.5% [95% CI: 5.5%–7.7%]). Patients were at very low risk for adverse events if not clinically ill on emergency department (ED) examination and did not have a high-risk past medical history (prediction model sensitivity: 98.0% [95% CI: 88.2%–99.9%]). Patients were at lower risk for bacteremia if they were not clinically ill on ED examination, did not have a high-risk past medical history, had a peripheral band count of <1250 cells per μL, and had a peripheral absolute neutrophil count of ≥1500 cells per μL (sensitivity 77.2% [95% CI: 68.6%–84.1%]). CONCLUSION: Brief hospitalization or outpatient management with close follow-up may be considered for infants with UTIs at very low risk of adverse events.

Controversies in the evaluation and management of minor blunt head trauma in children.

Purpose of review We present data from recently conducted research regarding controversial aspects of the evaluation and management of children with minor blunt head trauma. Recent findings Clinicians frequently but at times indiscriminately perform computed tomography scans for children with minor blunt head trauma resulting in potentially harmful radiation exposure. Recent guidelines recognize the limited but increasing data available to make strong recommendations regarding appropriate neuroimaging decisions. Investigators have derived and validated clinical prediction models to accurately identify patients with substantial traumatic brain injury, though no clear definitive rule exists. Children younger than 2 years appear to have a higher risk of intracranial injury following minor head trauma. These patients can be difficult to assess, with the evidence suggesting the need for a more conservative approach to diagnostic imaging. We present current and accepted definitions of concussion along with risk factors and treatment for postconcussion syndrome. Current return-to-play guidelines suggest that athletes who have sustained concussion should not resume play until symptoms have resolved because of the possibility, though rare, of second impact syndrome. Summary Research in the management of children with minor head trauma is actively evolving. We present a review of recent developments that can influence current clinical practice.

Estimating the incidence of first unprovoked seizure and newly diagnosed epilepsy in the low-income urban community of Northern Manhattan, New York City

Purpose: To estimate the incidence and mortality associated with first unprovoked seizure or newly diagnosed epilepsy in a low‐income, predominantly Hispanic community in Northern Manhattan, New York City.

Performance of Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Appendicitis in Children in a Multicenter Cohort

OBJECTIVES The objectives were to assess the test characteristics of ultrasound (US) in diagnosing appendicitis in children and to evaluate site-related variations based on the frequency of its use. Additionally, the authors assessed the test characteristics of US when the appendix was clearly visualized. METHODS This was a secondary analysis of a prospective, 10-center observational study. Children aged 3 to 18 years with acute abdominal pain concerning for appendicitis were enrolled. US was performed at the discretion of the treating physician. RESULTS Of 2,625 patients enrolled, 965 (36.8%) underwent abdominal US. US had an overall sensitivity of 72.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 58.8% to 86.3%) and specificity 97.0% (95% CI = 96.2% to 97.9%) in diagnosing appendicitis. US sensitivity was 77.7% at the three sites (combined) that used it in 90% of cases, 51.6% at a site that used it in 50% of cases, and 35% at the four remaining sites (combined) that used it in 9% of cases. US retained a high specificity of 96% to 99% at all sites. Of the 469 (48.6%) cases across sites where the appendix was clearly visualized on US, its sensitivity was 97.9% (95% CI = 95.2% to 99.9%), with a specificity of 91.7% (95% CI = 86.7% to 96.7%). CONCLUSIONS Ultrasound sensitivity and the rate of visualization of the appendix on US varied across sites and appeared to improve with more frequent use. US had universally high sensitivity and specificity when the appendix was clearly identified. Other diagnostic modalities should be considered when the appendix is not definitively visualized by US.

Prevalence of Clinically Important Traumatic Brain Injuries in Children With Minor Blunt Head Trauma and Isolated Severe Injury Mechanisms

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of clinically important traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) with severe injury mechanisms in children with minor blunt head trauma but with no other risk factors from the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) TBI prediction rules (defined as isolated severe injury mechanisms). DESIGN Secondary analysis of a large prospective observational cohort study. SETTING Twenty-five emergency departments participating in the PECARN. PATIENTS Children with minor blunt head trauma and Glasgow Coma Scale scores of at least 14. INTERVENTION Treating clinicians completed a structured data form that included injury mechanism (severity categories defined a priori). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Clinically important TBIs were defined as intracranial injuries resulting in death, neurosurgical intervention, intubation for more than 24 hours, or hospital admission for at least 2 nights. We investigated the rate of clinically important TBIs in children with either severe injury mechanisms or isolated severe injury mechanisms. RESULTS Of the 42,412 patients enrolled in the overall study, 42,099 (99%) had injury mechanisms recorded, and their data were included for analysis. Of all study patients, 5869 (14%) had severe injury mechanisms, and 3302 (8%) had isolated severe injury mechanisms. Overall, 367 children had clinically important TBIs (0.9%; 95% CI, 0.8%-1.0%). Of the 1327 children younger than 2 years with isolated severe injury mechanisms, 4 (0.3%; 95% CI, 0.1%-0.8%) had clinically important TBIs, as did 12 of the 1975 children 2 years or older (0.6%; 95% CI, 0.3%-1.1%). CONCLUSION Children with isolated severe injury mechanisms are at low risk of clinically important TBI, and many do not require emergent neuroimaging.