Are home sleep studies useful in diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea in children with down syndrome?

Introduction and Aim Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is frequent in children with Down syndrome (DS) and polysomnography (PSG) is recommended for all children with DS. However PSG is not always available and alternative diagnostic methods are needed. The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and validity of home polygraphy (HPG) in children with DS. Methods A national DS association was contacted and children aged 6 to 18 years who accepted to participate were recruited. Otorhinolaryngologic evaluation, in-lab PSG and HPG were performed. OSAS was diagnosed by PSG with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) more than or equal to 1. OSAS severity was classified as moderate-to-severe if AHI was more than or equal to 5. Receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated for HPG using PSG as the gold standard. Results Nineteen children (12 girls) completed the study. Median age was 11.3 years. Demographic and clinical characteristics were similar in children with and without OSAS. Eighty-nine percent of HPG studies were technically acceptable at the initial night and the success rate was 100% when two failed studies were repeated. PSG revealed OSAS in six (32%) children, two had mild and four had moderate-to-severe OSAS. All four patients with moderate-to-severe OSAS diagnosed with PSG have been diagnosed with the same severity on HPG. HPG had 100% sensitivity and 83% specificity when AHI >= 3 was set as diagnostic criteria. Conclusion HPG is a feasible and reliable test of OSAS in children with DS and may be useful in diagnosis and treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe OSAS in this patient group

Neurologic Adverse Events Associated with Voriconazole Therapy: Report of Two Pediatric Cases

Although voriconazole, a triazole antifungal, is a safe drug, treatment with this agent is associated with certain adverse events such as hepatic, neurologic, and visual disturbances. The current report presents two cases, one a 9-year-old boy and the other a 17-year-old girl, who experienced neurologic side effects associated with voriconazole therapy. Our aim is to remind readers of the side effects of voriconazole therapy in order to prevent unnecessary investigations especially for psychological and ophthalmologic problems. The first case was a 9-year-old boy with cystic fibrosis and invasive aspergillosis that developed photophobia, altered color sensation, and fearful visual hallucination. The second case was a 17-year-old girl with cystic fibrosis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and she experienced photophobia, fatigue, impaired concentration, and insomnia, when the dose of voriconazole therapy was increased from 12 mg/kg/day to 16 mg/kg/day. The complaints of the two patients disappeared after discontinuation of voriconazole therapy. Our experience in these patients reminded us of the importance of being aware of the neurologic adverse events associated with voriconazole therapy in establishing early diagnosis and initiating prompt treatment. In addition, although serum voriconazole concentration was not measured in the present cases, therapeutic drug monitoring for voriconazole seems to be critically important in preventing neurologic side effects in pediatric patients

Health-related quality of life in patients with bronchiolitis obliterans

Introduction Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is mainly caused by infections and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This study aimed to investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children with BO compared to the healthy children and also to assess the HRQOL according to the etiology. Methods Postinfectious (group 1) and post-HSCT BO (group 2) patients and healthy children were included in the study. HRQOL was assessed by the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Correlations between demographic and clinical characteristics, pulmonary function tests, high-resolution chest tomography scores, and HRQOL were assessed. Results Thirty-seven postinfectious and post-HSCT BO patients and 34 healthy children were included in the study. Mean age was 13.8 +/- 0.7 years. Mean forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume(1)were 60.7 +/- 2.7% predicted, and 49.8 +/- 3.1% predicted, respectively. The SF-36 scores were lower in BO patients compared to healthy children (P < .01). Patients with better lung functions had higher SF-36 scores, but lower SGRQ. The number of inhaled therapies, acute exacerbations, hospitalizations were inversely correlated with SF-36. A positive correlation was found between these parameters and total SGRQ scores (r = .507,P = .02;r = .409,P = .12;r = .326,P = .049, respectively). SF-36 scores were better in group 1 for subscales of physical role functioning and social role functioning compared to group 2. (P = .01,P = .01, respectively). Conclusion The HRQOL of patients with BO measured by SF-36 was low compared to healthy children. SF-36 scores were more affected in post-HSCT BO patients. HRQOL of children with chronic lung disease should be taken into consideration in the management of these patients

The effect of training the health care providers with simulation model on the care of patients with chronic tracheostomy

Introduction: Tracheostomy care in children may be challenging, due to lack of knowledge of health care providers. The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge of health care providers who follow patients with tracheostomy and to increase this level with theoretical education and training in a simulation laboratory. Materials and Methods: Volunteer participants were subjected to a theoretical pretest which evaluated their knowledge level for the care, follow-up and treatment of patients with tracheostomy. Then, practical testing with three subheadings evaluating the change of the tracheostomy cannula was applied. After theoretical training and one-on-one practical training given to the participants with a simulation model, theoretical and practical posttests were applied. Results: Fifty-one health care providers from six tertiary pediatric clinics in Istanbul were enrolled in the educational course. Only 6 (11.8%) of them received standardised training programme previously. Regarding the theoretical tests, seven of the 33 questions were indicated as crucial. The knowledge level of the participants based on the crucial questions significantly increased after the training (p value <0.05 for all of the crucial questions). Total number of correct answers and correct answers of 3 subheadings also significantly increased after the practical training (p value <0.001 for all). Ninety-five percent of the participants assessed the course as good or excellent. Conclusion: Training in simulation laboratory together with theoratical education can improve the knowledge and skills of the health care providers enabling improved care of children with tracheostomy

Efficacy of standardized tracheostomy training with a simulation model for healthcare providers: A study by ISPAT team

Introduction Tracheostomy care in children may be challenging, due to lack of knowledge of healthcare providers (HCPs). The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge of HCP who follow patients with tracheostomy and to increase this level with theoretical training and training in a simulation laboratory. Materials and Methods ISPAT (IStanbul PAediatric Tracheostomy), a multidisciplinary team for tracheostomy care was established and a training program was prepared. Participants were subjected to theoretical and practical pretests which evaluated their knowledge levels and skills for care, follow-up, and treatment of a patient with tracheostomy. After the theoretical and practical training given to the participants with a simulation model, theoretical and practical posttests were applied. Results Fifty-one HCP from nine tertiary pediatric clinics in Istanbul were enrolled in the training program. Only six (11.8%) of them had received standardized training programs previously. Regarding the theoretical tests, seven of the 33 questions were indicated as essential. The knowledge level of the participants based on the essential questions significantly increased after the training (p < 0.05 for all of the essential questions). The total number of correct answers and correct answers of three subheadings also significantly increased after the practical training (p < 0.001 for all). Ninety-five percent of the participants assessed the course as good or excellent in general. Conclusion Training in a simulation laboratory in combination with theoretical education can improve the knowledge and skills of the HCP enabling improved care of children with a tracheostomy.Simulation Center of Koc Universit

Efficacy of standardized tracheostomy training with a simulation model for healthcare providers: A study by ISPAT team

Introduction Tracheostomy care in children may be challenging, due to lack of knowledge of healthcare providers (HCPs). The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge of HCP who follow patients with tracheostomy and to increase this level with theoretical training and training in a simulation laboratory. Materials and Methods ISPAT (IStanbul PAediatric Tracheostomy), a multidisciplinary team for tracheostomy care was established and a training program was prepared. Participants were subjected to theoretical and practical pretests which evaluated their knowledge levels and skills for care, follow-up, and treatment of a patient with tracheostomy. After the theoretical and practical training given to the participants with a simulation model, theoretical and practical posttests were applied. Results Fifty-one HCP from nine tertiary pediatric clinics in Istanbul were enrolled in the training program. Only six (11.8%) of them had received standardized training programs previously. Regarding the theoretical tests, seven of the 33 questions were indicated as essential. The knowledge level of the participants based on the essential questions significantly increased after the training (p < 0.05 for all of the essential questions). The total number of correct answers and correct answers of three subheadings also significantly increased after the practical training (p < 0.001 for all). Ninety-five percent of the participants assessed the course as good or excellent in general. Conclusion Training in a simulation laboratory in combination with theoretical education can improve the knowledge and skills of the HCP enabling improved care of children with a tracheostomy

The ISPAT project: Implementation of a standardized training program for caregivers of children with tracheostomy

Background Tracheostomy-related morbidity and mortality mainly occur due to decannulation, misplacement, or obstruction of the tube. A standardized training can improve the skills and confidence of the caregivers in tracheostomy care (TC). Objective Our primary aim was to evaluate the efficiency of standardized training program on the knowledge and skills (changing-suctioning the tracheostomy tube) of the participants regarding TC. Materials and Methods Sixty-five caregivers of children with tracheostomy were included. First, participants were evaluated with written test about TC and participated in the practical tests. Then, they were asked to participate in a standardized training session, including theoretical and practical parts. Baseline and postintervention assessments were compared through written and practical tests conducted on the same day. Results A significant improvement was observed in the written test score after the training. The median number of correct answers of the written test including 23 questions increased 26%, from 12 to 18 (p < .001). The median number of correct steps in tracheostomy tube change (from 9 to 16 correct steps out of 16 steps, 44% increase) and suctioning the tracheostomy tube (from 9 to 17 correct steps out of 18 steps, 44% increase) also improved significantly after the training (p < .001, for both). Conclusion Theoretical courses and practical hands-on-training (HOT) courses are highly effective in improving the practices in TC. A standardized training program including HOT should be implemented before discharge from the hospital. Still there is a need to assess the impact of the program on tracheostomy-related complications, morbidity, and mortality in the long term

Home mechanical ventilation in children: The experience of pediatric pulmonology divisions in Istanbul

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