Pediatric Reports最新文献

{"title":"Energy Utilization in Premature Neonates Undergoing Screening for Retinopathy of Prematurity.","authors":"Alena M Pentecost, Danilo S Boskovic, Alexis Antimo, Udochukwu Oyoyo, Christopher C Perry, Jennifer Dunbar, Andrew Hopper, Danilyn M Angeles","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17020029","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17020029","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Premature neonates are at risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and routinely undergo screening exams that involve substantial physical manipulation, often causing significant signs of pain, despite pain-relieving interventions. It remains unclear whether these exams affect energy utilization, cellular hypoxia, and clinically significant events, and whether receiving supplemental oxygen affects these relationships. This work examines the effects of ROP screening on (1) urinary uric acid-to-creatinine concentration ratios ([UA]/[Cr]), a known marker of ATP degradation, hypoxia, and oxidative stress; and (2) clinically significant events (apnea, bradycardia, gastric residuals, and oxygen desaturations) in premature neonates on room air or oxygen support.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective pilot study included premature neonates requiring ROP screening examinations at Loma Linda University's NICU. Urinary [UA]/[Cr], measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, and clinical events, documented by prospective medical chart review, were analyzed pre- and post-exam in subjects on room air (<i>n</i> = 18) or on oxygen support (<i>n</i> = 20). Statistical analyses included a generalized linear mixed model for urinary [UA]/[Cr] and Wilcoxon signed rank tests for clinical events.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A significant time effect (<i>p</i> = 0.010) was observed for urinary [UA]/[Cr], with higher levels at 0-12 (<i>p</i> = 0.023) and 12-24 (<i>p</i> = 0.023) hours post-exam. Subjects receiving oxygen support had more total (<i>p</i> = 0.028) and more severe (<i>p</i> = 0.026) oxygen desaturations.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>ROP examinations may increase energy utilization in premature neonates, with those receiving oxygen support being particularly susceptible to oxygen desaturations post-exam. Further research is needed to clarify the full impact of the procedure and to identify strategies to minimize stress associated with these screening examinations.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932259/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Why Do They Do It? The Psychology Behind Antisocial Behavior in Children and Adolescents.","authors":"Marianna Mazza, Francesco Maria Lisci, Ester Maria Marzo, Valeria De Masi, Francesca Abate, Giuseppe Marano","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17020026","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17020026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is a complex and often debilitating condition that can emerge from early behavioral disturbances in childhood and adolescence. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of ASPD in pediatric and adolescent populations, examining key diagnostic challenges, developmental trajectories, and emerging treatment approaches. Recent research underscores the critical role of the early identification of conduct disorder (CD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) as precursors to ASPD. Specific attention is given to biological, environmental, and psychosocial risk factors, including genetic predispositions, family dynamics, and socio-economic adversity. Additionally, neuro-psychological research highlights deficits in executive function, emotion regulation, and social cognition, which may underline the persistent antisocial patterns. Neuroimaging studies suggest atypical neural activity in regions associated with empathy, reward processing, and impulse control. Effective intervention remains a challenge, as treatment options are limited and often complicated by co-occurring conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and mood disorders. Promising evidence supports the efficacy of integrative, multimodal approaches combining behavioral therapy, family interventions, and pharmacotherapy to reduce symptom severity and improve long-term outcomes. The review concludes by advocating for a public health approach that emphasizes prevention and early intervention, aiming to mitigate the progression to full ASPD in adulthood.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932266/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Addressing Cognitive Bias in Adolescents with Neurodevelopmental Disorders Using 3-D Animated Serious Games.","authors":"Suzanne Stewart, Stephen John Houghton, Leslie Macqueen","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17020028","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17020028","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of a serious game, that embeds cognitive bias modification for interpretation (CBM-I), in altering the negative interpretive bias of early aged adolescents diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Specific Learning Disorders. The difficulties that adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) experience navigating the social nuances of everyday environments make them prone to the cognitive biases that lead to the development of negative thought patterns. Directly tackling the biased interpretive processes that give rise to negative thinking may be effective in reducing negative bias and mental health problems.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Minds Online, a 10-episode 3-D animated serious game that embeds CBM-I was introduced using a three-phase multiple baseline design in a school setting. Eight adolescents diagnosed with an NDD completed the 10 episodes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Real-time data revealed that seven of the eight adolescents altered their negative interpretive bias to a benign bias. However, pre- and post-test standardized measures revealed non-significant changes in the desired direction for mental health. Visual analyses of 308 daily self-reported ratings about worry about schoolwork, worry about peer relationships, and feelings of loneliness did not demonstrate a replicated intervention effect. However, when these interrupted time series data were analyzed statistically, significant individual improvements were evident. Engagement with Minds Online was excellent, as was adherence to daily data collection.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Minds Online seems to be highly effective in altering the negative interpretive biases of adolescents with NDDs, which is promising because such cognitive biases are involved in the onset and maintenance of psychopathology.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932302/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693926","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association Between Bullying/Cyberbullying and Subjective Vitality in Children and Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Mental Toughness.","authors":"Pablo Ramírez-Espejo, Alba Rusillo-Magdaleno, Alberto Ruiz-Ariza, Manuel J de la Torre-Cruz","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17020027","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17020027","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Previous research has examined to what extent the relationship between bullying/cyberbullying (victims and perpetrators) and psychological well-being is mediated by different cognitive-emotional variables. <b>Objectives:</b> The present study aimed to analyze whether mental toughness acted as a mediating variable in the relationship between bullying, suffered and perpetrated, and subjective vitality. <b>Methods:</b> Three hundred and twelve students in their final year of Primary Education and Compulsory Secondary Education, aged between 11 and 17 years, gave their responses to different self-report measures. <b>Results:</b> The results showed that perceived mental toughness significantly mediated the relationship between victimization and perpetration of aggressive acts through the use of electronic devices and levels of subjective vitality. A similar mediating effect was observed for occasions when the adolescent engaged in bullying acts during face-to-face interactions. <b>Conclusions:</b> It is concluded that high levels of mental toughness may act as a protective mechanism, reducing or mitigating the loss of subjective vitality resulting from being victimized in a virtual environment, as well as from perpetrating aggressive acts during face-to-face interactions and through the use of technological media.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932250/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693931","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Linea Alba Width, Children's Physical Activity, and Chosen Anthropometric Measurements: The Results of the Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Agata Maria Kawalec-Rutkowska, Agata Marczak, Marian Simka","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17010025","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17010025","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objectives:</b> This study was aimed at the assessment of the relationship between the presence of diastasis recti abdominis in children and the clinical variables potentially attributable to the wider linea alba. <b>Methods:</b> Fifty-one children, aged 8-12 years, were evaluated. The study protocol included ultrasonographic measurements of the linea alba width, anthropometric measurements, body composition assessment with the use of the Tanita Body Composition Analyzer, and the questionnaire assessing clinical history and the level of physical activity. <b>Results:</b> Statistical analysis revealed that the interrectus distance, which was ≥20 mm, was significantly more often found in boys, in children with a higher body length at birth and a higher waist/hip ratio, and also in those with a history of congenital umbilical hernia. Other variables, such as the level of physical activity, body weight, parameters of the body composition measured with the body analyzer, presence of abdominal symptoms (abdominal pain, constipation, urinary incontinence), or family history of musculoskeletal disease, were not associated with the presence of diastasis recti abdominis. <b>Conclusions:</b> The results of our study suggest a congenital background of diastasis recti abdominis in children, especially given its higher prevalence among boys and those children who presented with specific body parameters at birth.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11858064/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143493506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Descriptive Analysis of Pediatric Studies Included in the European Union Post-Authorization Study Register from 2010 to 2023.","authors":"Annalisa Landi, Giorgio Reggiardo, Antonella Didio, Annunziata D'Ercole, Adriana Ceci, Grace Shalom Govere, Donato Bonifazi, Fedele Bonifazi, Salvatore Crisafulli, Gianluca Trifirò, Florentia Kaguelidou, Katja Marja Hakkarainen, Katarina Gvozdanović, Francesco Barone-Adesi, Andrealuna Ucciero, Mariagrazia Felisi","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17010024","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17010024","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>This work aimed to analyze pediatric Post-Authorization Studies (PASs) registered in the European Union electronic Register of Post-Authorization Studies (EU PAS Register) from September 2010 to April 2023 to identify trends in terms of timing, age groups, and therapeutic areas and to discuss pediatric specificities and sources of funding for the PASs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A screening process identified PASs conducted exclusively on the pediatric population, and instructions were provided to ensure standardized data collection from the EU PAS Register. A univariate linear regression descriptive analysis was performed to assess trends over time, while a multivariate linear regression analysis helped explore additional characteristics of these studies.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 2574 PASs extracted from the EU PAS Registry, 165 were included in this analysis. The majority of pediatric PASs were observational studies (86%), and most of them utilized secondary data (53%). The annual number of PASs increased significantly between 2010 and 2023. As envisaged, the largest part was funded by pharmaceutical companies (62%). Anti-infectives for systemic uses (25%), medicines for the nervous system (18%), and antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents (15%) resulted in the most studied drugs.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings show that post-marketing observational research in pediatric populations has increased over time. Nevertheless, industry-academia collaboration should be encouraged, and regulatory guidance is needed to prioritize research in areas of unmet therapeutic need.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11858588/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143494090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prospective Evaluation of Pulse Oximetry Screening for Critical Congenital Heart Disease in a Jordanian Tertiary Hospital: High Incidence and Early Detection Challenges.","authors":"Naser Aldain A Abu Lehyah, Abeer A Hasan, Mahmoud Y Abbad, Razan A Al-Jammal, Moath K Al Tarawneh, Dima Abu Nasrieh, Haneen A Banihani, Saif N Aburumman, Areen G Fraijat, Heba M Alhawamdeh, Qasem A Shersheer, Milad Kh Al-Awawdeh, Scott O Guthrie, Joseph R Starnes","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17010023","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17010023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) is among the major causes of global neonatal morbidity and mortality. While the incidence of CCHD appears to vary across populations, much of this variation may stem from differences in detection and reporting capabilities rather than true prevalence. In Jordan, recent data revealed a congenital cardiac disease incidence of 17.8/1000 live births, much higher than international averages. Diagnosis is largely dependent upon echocardiography, which is difficult to obtain in low-resource settings where prenatal screening modalities are limited. Screening for CCHD with pulse oximetry offers a potential method to identify patients earlier and contribute to improved outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective cohort study evaluated 20,482 neonates screened using pulse oximetry at Al-Bashir Hospital between January 2022 and May 2024. Demographic data, pulse oximetry measurements, and echocardiogram findings were collected during the screening process after obtaining ethical approval from the Jordanian Ministry of Health.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Pulse oximetry screening identified 752 neonates (3.7%) requiring further evaluation by echocardiography. An abnormality was detected in 240 neonates (31.9%), which included cardiac anomalies and pulmonary hypertension. Screening led to the identification of 138 infants with CCHD, including 80 with a previously unknown diagnosis, and an additional 247 infants with conditions requiring increased monitoring or treatment. Among those with CCHD, hypoplastic left heart syndrome and Tetralogy of Fallot were the most common conditions, 3.1%, and 2.4%, respectively. The overall false positive rate was 1.8% and was higher among those screened at less than 24 h of life compared to those screened at or after 24 h of life (2.3% [95%CI 2.1-2.6] vs. 0.8% [95%CI 0.6-1.0], <i>p</i> < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Pulse oximetry screening successfully led to the early detection of CCHD among Jordanian neonates. There was a high prevalence of CCHD compared to other reported cohorts. This highlights the importance of implementing national screening protocols to improve early diagnosis and intervention. Future studies will inform the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of national implementation in this setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11858587/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143492567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Impact of Life and Adverse Childhood Events on Help-Seeking Behaviours-A Cross-Sectional Survey of School-Age Adolescents in Jordan.","authors":"Reham A Lasheen, Sara Abu Khudair, Yousef Khader, Eizaburo Tanaka, Mohannad Al Nsour","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17010022","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17010022","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Traumatic life and childhood events are associated with adverse health outcomes, particularly for adolescents, who are vulnerable to such events and exhibit distinct health behaviours and needs. Nevertheless, the influence of exposure to these events on their help-seeking behaviour remains largely unexplored, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean region. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of adverse events among adolescents in Jordan and examine how adverse events shape the help-seeking behaviours.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A national cross-sectional survey of 4407 school-age (12-18 years) adolescents living in Jordan was conducted between December 2022 and April 2023 using multi-state stratified cluster sampling. The study utilised self-report questionnaires as well as validated tools. These were adapted to ensure cultural relevance and sensitivity and translated to Arabic.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of at least one adverse event is around 16%, while that of four or more ACEs stands at around 41% in our population. The most commonly reported event was being infected or having a family member infected with COVID-19 at 60.3%. Specific individual characteristics and traumatic events appeared to shape their help-seeking behaviour, particularly family affluence and smoking status as well as exposure to COVID-19.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The study underscores the need to understand help-seeking patterns among school-age adolescents in light of exposure to traumatic events. Based on this study's findings, special attention should be paid to the impact certain events have on adolescents' mental health and their help-seeking behaviours. Positive help-seeking behaviours that resonate with adolescents' beliefs, emphasising contextual factors in mental health coping, should be promoted.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11857999/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143493570","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical and Public Health Challenge of Handling Synthetic Cathinone and Cannabinoid Abuse in Pediatric Care: A Narrative Review.","authors":"Valerio Ricci, Giuseppe Maina","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17010019","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17010019","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids have emerged as significant public health concerns, particularly in pediatric populations. Marketed under deceptive names such as \"bath salts\" and \"K2/Spice\", these substances pose unique challenges due to their accessibility, potency, and unpredictable effects. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the toxicological effects of synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids in pediatric patients, emphasizing clinical presentations, management challenges, and public health implications.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A structured narrative review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases to identify peer-reviewed studies published between January 2010 and September 2024. The selected articles focus on neuropsychiatric, systemic, and management outcomes associated with these substances in individuals aged 0-18 years.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Five studies demonstrate that synthetic cathinones frequently cause seizures, sympathomimetic toxidrome (tachycardia, hypertension), and neuropsychiatric effects like paranoia and catatonia. Seven studies show synthetic cannabinoids induce psychosis, respiratory depression requiring ventilation in 12% of cases, and cardiovascular complications like myocardial ischemia. One study highlighted severe outcomes in pediatric accidental exposures, emphasizing the unpredictable and life-threatening effects of these substances, often exacerbated by co-ingestion with alcohol or THC.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Pediatric exposure to synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids results in severe and unpredictable toxicological effects, necessitating tailored clinical management strategies and enhanced diagnostic capabilities. Public health measures, including stringent regulatory controls, targeted education initiatives, and robust surveillance systems, are critical to mitigating these risks. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to safeguard vulnerable pediatric populations from the escalating dangers posed by synthetic drugs, and future research must address the long-term impacts and mechanisms of toxicity.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11857941/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143494089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Prevalence of Invasive Bacterial Infection in Febrile Infants Presenting to Hospital Following Meningococcal B Immunisation: A Case Series.","authors":"Holly Drummond, Etimbuk Umana, Clare Mills, Thomas Waterfield","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17010020","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17010020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To report the prevalence of invasive bacterial infection (IBI) in febrile infants ≤90 days presenting to hospital within 72 h of meningococcal B (MenB) immunisation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A secondary analysis of data from two previous multicentre studies of febrile infants conducted at UK and Irish hospitals. The first study was a retrospective study, conducted at six sites between 31 August 2018 and 1 September 2019. The second study was a prospective study conducted at 35 sites between 6 July 2022 and 31 August 2023. Febrile infants ≤90 days who had received the MenB vaccine within 72 h preceding presentation were included.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 102 infants met the inclusion criteria, with a median age of 61 days and a male predominance of 65.7%. The most reported clinical features were an abnormal cry, decreased feeding and coryzal symptoms. In total, 68/102 (66.7%) were admitted to hospital; the median length of stay was 1 day. Median C-reactive protein (CRP) was 20.5 mg/L, mean white cell count was 13.7 × 10⁹/L, mean neutrophil count was 7.3 × 10⁹/L and mean lymphocyte count was 4.7 × 10⁹/L. In total, 38/102 (37.3%) had blood cultures performed, 26/102 (25.5%) had respiratory viral testing performed, 55/102 (53.9%) had urine culture performed and 14/102 (13.7%) had lumbar puncture performed. Additionally, 26/102 (25.5%) received parenteral antibiotics. There were no cases of IBI, and 3/102 (2.9%) cases of urinary tract infection.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The rate of IBI is negligible in febrile infants following MenB immunisations. Current blood tests such as CRP are unreliable in this cohort, as many exhibit a moderate CRP rise above suggested international cut-offs for this age range.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11857959/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143493507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}