bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Snoring in 9- to 15-Year-Old Children: Risk Factors and Clinical Relevance
Authors: Corbo Giuseppe M. , Forastiere Francesco , Agabiti Nera , Pistelli Riccardo , Dell'Orco Valerio , Perucci Carlo A. , Valente Salvatore 
Published: August 2004

Objective.
Our objective was to investigate the occurrence of snoring in a general population sample of children and to evaluate the association with anthropometric data and clinical findings of oropharynx and nasal airways.

Methods.
A cross-sectional study was conducted with children from primary and secondary schools in Civitavecchia and Viterbo in the Latium region in central Italy. The total sample of the survey included 2439 schoolchildren. A total of 2209 children who were ages 10 to 15 years were selected (response rate: 90.5%) according to their snoring frequency during sleep: never, only with colds, occasionally apart from with colds, often. Children in the last category were defined as habitual snorers. Data were collected by means of questionnaires and clinical examination. A blood sample was collected to determine the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals.

Results.
The prevalence of habitual snorers was 5.6%. Boys who were older than 15 years and had a body mass index greater than the 90th percentile were significantly more likely to be snorers. Habitual snoring was strongly associated with decreased nasal patency (rhinitis OR: 2.13; septal deviation OR: 2.75; nasal obstruction OR: 2.20). Children who had undergone adenoidectomy or had markedly enlarged tonsils were at greater risk of being habitual snorers (OR: 4.28 and 5.07, respectively). Last, habitual snorers had a significantly higher concentration of hemoglobin in the blood compared with other children.

Conclusion.
Body weight and nasal and pharynx patency seem to be the main determinants of snoring. The finding of higher values of blood hemoglobin concentration in snorers than in nonsnorers suggests that these children could be experiencing oxyhemoglobin desaturation during sleep. Taking into consideration the relationship between these different risk factors could lead to a better clinical approach to the snoring child.
Abnormal Central Complex Is a Marker of Severity in the Presence of Partial Ciliary Defect
Authors: Tamalet Aline , Clement Annick , Roudot-Thoraval Francoise , Desmarquest Pascale , Roger Gilles , Boulé Michèle , Millepied Marie Claude , Baculard TA§; Armelle , Escudier Estelle 
Published: August 2004

Background.Ciliary ultrastructural defects with total lack of dynein arms (DA) cause abnormal mucociliary function leading to the chronic infections observed in primary ciliary dyskinesia. The role of partial ciliary ultrastructural defects, especially those involving the central complex, and their relationship with respiratory symptoms have been less thoroughly investigated.Objective.In a pediatric population with partial ciliary defects, we determined the relationship(s) between ultrastructural findings, ciliary motility, and clinical and functional features, and evaluated the outcome of this population.Design.We analyzed the clinical presentation and pulmonary function of 43 children with chronic bronchitis and partial ultrastructural defects (from 15% to 90%) of their respiratory cilia demonstrated on bronchial biopsies. The study population was divided into 3 groups according to ciliary ultrastructure: the main ultrastructural defect concerned the central complex in 23 patients (CC group), peripheral microtubules in 8 patients (PMT group), and DA in 12 patients (DA group).Results.The percentage of ciliary defects was lower in the PMT group than in the CC and DA groups. Patients in the PMT group had less severe disease with frequent normal ciliary motility. Patients in the CC group had initially a higher incidence of respiratory tract infections, extensive bronchiectasis frequently requiring surgery, and arguments in favor of a congenital origin (high proportion of sibling form). Partial absence of DA, although of congenital origin, was associated with a good prognosis. In all groups, follow-up showed that the functional prognosis remained good with appropriate treatment.Conclusions.In children with chronic respiratory infections, presence of situs inversus, sibling form, obstructive pulmonary syndrome, or bronchiectasis required ultrastructural analysis, regardless of ciliary motility. Detection of CC abnormalities is a marker of severity and required intensive therapy and close follow-up.
Diaphragm Dimensions of the Healthy Preterm Infant
Authors: Rehan Virender K. , Laiprasert JoAnn , Wallach Michael , Rubin Lewis P. , McCool F. Dennis 
Published: August 2004

Background.
The diaphragm is the major inspiratory muscle in the neonate; however, human neonatal diaphragm development has not been extensively studied. We hypothesized that diaphragm thickness (tdi) would be positively related to postmenstrual age (PMA), body weight, body length, head circumference, and nutritional intake.

Objectives.
To evaluate the evolution of diaphragm growth and motion in the healthy, preterm infant.

Methods.
We used ultrasound to measure tdi at the zone of apposition to the rib cage and diaphragm excursion (edi) during inspiration. Thirty-four stable, preterm infants (16 males and 18 females) between 26 and 37 weeks' PMA were studied during quiet sleep at weekly intervals until the time of discharge or transfer from the neonatal intensive care unit. All infants were clinically stable and not receiving ventilatory support.

Results.
We found that 1) tdi increased from 1.2 ± 0.1 to 1.7 ± 0.05 mm between 26 to 28 and 35 to 37 weeks' PMA; 2) tdi was positively correlated with PMA (r = 0.40), body weight (r = 0.52), body length (r = 0.53), and head circumference (0.49), but not with postnatal nutritional intake (r = 0.09); and 3) edi decreased with increasing PMA.

Conclusions.
Our findings suggest that diaphragm development in premature infants scales with body dimensions. We speculate that the increase in tdi with age is likely attributable to increased diaphragm muscle mass, and the reduced edi with age may be resulting from a reduction in chest wall compliance.
Maternal and Infant Factors Associated With Failure to Thrive in Children With Vertically Transmitted Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Infection: The Prospective, P2C2 Human Immunodeficiency Virus Multicenter Study
Authors: Miller Tracie L. , Easley Kirk A. , Zhang Weihong , Orav E. John , Bier Dennis M. , Luder Elisabeth , Ting Andrew , Shearer William T. , Vargas Jorge Humberto , Lipshultz Steven E. ,   for the Pediatric Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Complications of Vertically Transmitted HIV Infection (P2C2 HIV) Study Group,   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD
Published: August 2004

Objective. Many children with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) have chronic problems with growth and nutrition, yet limited information is available to identify infected children at high risk for growth abnormalities. Using data from the prospective, multicenter P2C2 HIV study, we evaluated the relationships between maternal and infant clinical and laboratory factors and impaired growth in this cohort.Methods. Children of HIV-1-infected women were enrolled prenatally or within the first 28 days of life. Failure to thrive (FTT) was defined as an age- and sex-adjusted weight z score ≤−2.0 SD. Maternal baseline covariates included age, race, illicit drug use, zidovudine use, CD4+ T-cell count, and smoking. Infant baseline predictors included sex, race, CD4+ T-cell count, Centers for Disease Control stage, HIV-1 RNA, antiretroviral therapy, pneumonia, heart rate, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus infection status.Results. The study cohort included 92 HIV-1-infected and 439 uninfected children. Infected children had a lower mean gestational age, but birth weights, lengths, and head circumferences in the 2 groups were similar. Mothers of growth-delayed infants were more likely to have smoked tobacco and used illicit drugs during pregnancy. In repeated-measures analyses of weight and length or height z scores, the means of the HIV-1-infected group were significantly lower at 6 months of age (P &lt; .001) and remained lower throughout the first 5 years of life. In a multivariable Cox regression analysis, FTT was associated with a history of pneumonia (relative risk [RR] = 8.78; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.59–21.44), maternal use of cocaine, crack, or heroin during pregnancy (RR = 3.17; 95% CI: 1.51–6.66), infant CD4+ T-cell count z score (RR = 2.13 per 1 SD decrease; 95% CI: 1.25–3.57), and any antiretroviral therapy by 3 months of age (RR = 2.77; 95% CI: 1.16–6.65). After adjustment for pneumonia and antiretroviral therapy, HIV-1 RNA load remained associated with FTT in the subset of children whose serum was available for viral load analysis.Conclusion. Clinical and laboratory factors associated with FTT among HIV-1-infected children include history of pneumonia, maternal illicit drug use during pregnancy, lower infant CD4+ T-cell count, exposure to antiretroviral therapy by 3 months of age (non-protease inhibitor), and HIV-1 RNA viral load.
Patient Self-Management of Acute Asthma: Adherence to National Guidelines a Decade Later
Authors: Scarfone Richard J. , Zorc Joseph J. , Capraro Geoffrey A. 
Published: August 2004

Background and Objectives. Children in the emergency department (ED) with acute asthma were enrolled to assess the impact of asthma on their activities of daily living and evaluate their access to care and preventive strategies, determine the proportion who adhered to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) guidelines for proper steps to take at home during an acute asthma exacerbation, and compare adherence rates for those with persistent and mild intermittent asthma.Design and Methods. Children 2 to 18 years old who presented to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s ED with acute asthma exacerbations were enrolled prospectively. Parents and patients completed the 108-item Asthma Exacerbation Response Questionnaire with a focus on determining the home management steps they took both at the onset of the asthma exacerbation and just before coming to the ED.Results. Among the 433 children studied, 76% had at least 1 doctor visit, 75% had at least 1 ED visit, and 43% had at least 1 hospitalization for asthma in the preceding 12 months. Overall, 64% had persistent asthma by NHLBI criteria, yet just 4% were cared for by an allergist or pulmonologist, 38% took daily anti-inflammatory therapy, and 18% received a daily inhaled corticosteroid. Also, 48% did not use a holding chamber with their metered-dose inhalers, and 66% did not use their peak flow meters. Regarding exacerbation response, 71% did not have a written action plan, and 89% did not maintain a symptom diary. Both at the onset of wheezing and just before coming to the ED, administration of a β2-agonist was the only step that the majority of children performed. One-third or fewer followed the other steps recommended by the NHLBI, including using a peak flow meter, beginning oral corticosteroids, calling or going to see the doctor, or going to the ED. Children with persistent asthma were not more adherent to the guidelines than those with mild intermittent disease.Conclusions. Asthma has a significant adverse effect on the lives of these children. The NHLBI guidelines, first published a decade ago, were designed to reduce asthma’s increasing morbidity and mortality, but this study uncovered a high rate of nonadherence with many aspects of the guidelines, including preventive strategies and home management of an exacerbation.
Guiding Principles, Attributes, and Process to Review Medical Management Guidelines
Authors:   Task Force on Medical Management Guidelines
Published: August 2004

This Policy Statement was retired January 2006.
Few issues are more central to the ongoing debate about health care in the United States than concerns about cost and quality of medical care. The recent development and implementation of medical management guidelines that include recommendations for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, hospital length of stay, intensity of service, home care, and access to specialists have often focused this debate on the potential trade-off between cost reductions and quality of care. The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes that cost and quality are integrally related and that it is possible to reduce costs while maintaining and improving quality. The purpose of this statement is to help pediatricians and other health care providers interpret, evaluate, and improve medical management guidelines.
Economic Impact of an Infection Control Education Program in a Specialized Preschool Setting
Authors: Ackerman Stacey J. , Duff Steven B. , Dennehy Penelope H. , Mafilios Michael S. , Krilov Leonard R. 
Published: August 2004

Objective. To assess the economic impact, from a societal perspective, of a multidimensional infection control education program (ICEP) in a preschool for children with Down syndrome.Methods. Krilov et al implemented a comprehensive ICEP in a specialized preschool setting and reported a significant decrease in medical resource utilization and days absent from school. Clinical and economic data from Krilov et al and other sources were incorporated into a health-state transition (Markov) decision analysis model that estimated annual expected costs for the baseline and intervention years. Procedure and diagnosis codes were assigned to all physician office visits, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and laboratory and diagnostic tests. Cost estimates then were derived using 1999 national reimbursement schedules and other sources. Productivity losses for parents were estimated using national wage rates. The costs of the ICEP were compared with the reduction in the costs of illness (direct medical costs plus costs associated with lost parental working time). The outcomes measured were mean annual costs of illness per child, total annual ICEP costs, and net annual costs or savings.Results. With a comprehensive ICEP, the mean costs of illness in the baseline year was $1235 per child, of which 68% and 14% were for productivity losses and physician visits, respectively. In the intervention year, the mean costs of illness per child was $615, of which 71% and 20% were for productivity losses and physician visits, respectively. The cost of the preexisting infection control (IC) practices in place at the onset of the study (baseline year) was $716. The comprehensive ICEP cost (intervention year) was $75 627, 92% of which was spent to hire a cleaning service to decontaminate toys 3 times per week. When a secondary analysis was performed to reflect a less intensive ICEP in a nonspecialized preschool setting, the mean costs of illness in the baseline and intervention years were $962 and $614 per child, respectively, representing a total annual cost-of-illness savings of $13 224 for the 38 children who participated in the study by Krilov et al. The annual incremental cost of the less intensive ICEP was $2371; therefore, the estimated net annual savings of the less intensive ICEP in a nonspecialized preschool was $10 853.Conclusions. This study suggests that the reduction in the costs of illness could more than offset the cost of implementing a multidimensional ICEP in a preschool setting.
Trends in Booster Seat Use Among Young Children in Crashes
Authors: Durbin Dennis R. , Kallan Michael J. , Winston Flaura K. 
Published: August 2004

Introduction. Booster seat use in the United States is extremely low among 4- to 8-year-old children, the group targeted for their use. However, more recent attention has been paid to the role of booster seats for children who have outgrown their forward-facing child safety seat. In particular, several states are currently considering upgrades to their child restraint laws to include the use of booster seats for children over 4 years of age.
Objective. To examine recent trends in booster seat use among children involved in automobile crashes in 3 large regions of the United States.
Design. This study was performed as part of the Partners for Child Passenger Safety project, an ongoing, child-specific crash surveillance system that links insurance claims data to telephone survey and crash investigation data. All crashes occurring between December 1, 1998, and November 30, 2000, involving a child occupant between 2 to 8 years of age riding in a model year 1990 or newer vehicle reported to State Farm Insurance Companies from 15 states and Washington, DC, were eligible for this study. A probability sample of eligible crashes was selected for a telephone survey with the driver of the vehicle using a previously validated instrument. The study sample was weighted according to each subject’s probability of selection, with analyses conducted on the weighted sample.
Results. The weighted study sample consisted of 53 834 children between 2 to 8 years old, 11.5% of whom were using a booster seat at the time of the crash. Booster seat use peaked at age 3 and dropped dramatically after age 4. Over the period of study, booster seat use among 4- to 8-year-olds increased from 4% to 13%. Among 4-year-olds specifically, booster use increased from 14% to 34%. Among children using booster seats, approximately half used shield boosters and half used belt-positioning boosters.
Conclusion. Although overall booster seat use among the targeted population of 4- to 8-year-old children remains low, significant increases have been noted among specific age groups of children over the past 2 years. These data may be useful to pediatricians, legislators, and educators in efforts to target interventions designed to increase appropriate booster seat use in these children.
Evaluation of Resuscitation Skills in New Residents Before and After Pediatric Advanced Life Support Course
Authors: Quan Linda , Shugerman Richard P. , Kunkel Nanette C. , Brownlee Cindy J. 
Published: August 2004

Objective. Acquisition of resuscitation skills taught in advanced resuscitation courses has not been evaluated. We sought to determine the interobserver reliability of a resuscitation performance skills checklist to assess resident performance of bag mask ventilation, intubation, defibrillation, and intraosseous vascular access, and to measure skill acquisition by entering residents after a pediatric advanced life support (PALS) course.
Design. The resuscitation skills of all 39 pediatric R1’s in 2 university-based training programs were assessed immediately before and after completion of a PALS course just before starting residency. Independent observers scored and timed resident performance of bag mask ventilation, endotracheal intubation, intraosseous access, and defibrillation. Scores before and after the PALS course were compared. Four independent observers scored 4 residents’ videotaped skills performance. Observers’ scores for each resident were compared.
Results. Successful performance improved for bag mask ventilation from 62% to 97% after the PALS course; for successful endotracheal intubation, from 64% to 90%; for successful intraosseous needle placement, from 54% to 92%; and for successful defibrillation, from 77% to 97%. Interobserver reliability was high for continuous and noncontinuous variables.
Conclusions. New residents demonstrated significant acquisition of pediatric resuscitation skills immediately after completion of the PALS course. The skills performance checklist has excellent interobserver reliability and is a useful tool for evaluation of other training venues.
The Bloxsom Air Lock: A Historical Perspective
Authors: Kendig James W. , Maples Philip G. , Maisels M. Jeffrey 
Published: August 2004

In 1950, Allan P. Bloxsom (1901–1991), a pediatrician at the St Joseph Hospital in Houston, introduced his positive pressure oxygen air lock (AL) for the delivery room resuscitation of the asphyxiated newborn. The infant’s entire body was placed into a cylindrical steel chamber that was tightly sealed and infused with warmed humidified 60% oxygen. The positive pressure within the AL was cycled between 1 and 3 lb/in2 at 1-minute intervals to simulate the intrauterine pressures during the second stage of labor. Bloxsom developed the AL device in response to his hypothesis that the contractions of labor help to “condition: the infant for extrauterine survival.
Parmalee said that the AL “certainly locks the infant up, safe from meddlesome and unintelligent treatment.” When clear plastic versions of the AL became commercially available, it received widespread use in delivery rooms and newborn nurseries throughout the United States. In 1953, Apgar and Kreiselman produced apnea in adult dogs using pentobarbital and a muscle relaxant, and found that the AL device was unsuccessful with the oxygenation and ventilation of the animals.
In 1954, Townsend in Rochester, New York, reported on his experience with the AL in 150 premature infants. He concluded that the AL should be “more accurately referred to as an oxygenator” and that, “the truly apneic infant cannot be maintained in a acyanotic state by the AL.” The AL was finally subjected to the scrutiny of a randomized, controlled clinical trial that was published in 1956. Reichelderfer and Nitowski at Johns Hopkins randomized 171 infants to receive care in the AL or in an Isolette. Routine resuscitation, including positive pressure ventilation, was administered, as needed, to both study groups before placement into the AL or Isolette (Air Shields Inc, Hatboro, PA). They did not find any differences in the outcomes of the 2 study groups. By the mid 1950s, new information linking oxygen therapy and retrolental fibroplasia, led to a rapid decline in the use of the AL, even before the publication of the randomized trial.