Does frequent residential mobility in early years affect the uptake and timeliness of routine immunisations? An anonymised cohort study

BackgroundThere are conflicting findings regarding the impact of residential mobility on immunisation status. Our aim was to determine whether there was any association between residential mobility and take up of immunisations and whether they were delayed in administration.MethodsWe carried out a cohort analysis of children born in Wales, UK. Uptake and time of immunisation were collected electronically. We defined frequent movers as those who had moved: 2 or more times in the period prior to the final scheduled on-time date (4 months) for 5 in 1 vaccinations; and 3 or more times in the period prior to the final scheduled on-time date (12 months) for MMR, pneumococcal and meningitis C vaccinations. We defined immunisations due at 2–4 months delayed if they had not been given by age 1; and those due at 12–13 months as delayed if they had not been given by age 2.ResultsUptake rates of routine immunisations and whether they were given within the specified timeframe were high for both groups. There was no increased risk (odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) between frequent movers compared to non-movers for the uptake of: primary MMR 1.08 (0.88–1.32); booster Meningitis C 1.65 (0.93–2.92); booster pneumococcal 1.60 (0.59–4.31); primary 5 in 1 1.28 (0.92–1.78); and timeliness: primary MMR 0.92 (0.79–1.07); booster Meningitis C 1.26 (0.77–2.07); booster pneumococcal 1.69 (0.23–12.14); and primary 5 in 1 1.04 (0.88–1.23).DiscussionFindings suggest that children who move home frequently are not adversely affected in terms of the uptake of immunisations and whether they were given within a specified timeframe. Both were high and may reflect proactive behaviour in the primary healthcare setting to meet Government coverage rates for immunisation.     

儿科诊断性X线扫描家属知情与接受现状调查

目的:了解建德市基层医院儿科门诊进行X线扫描治疗中,家属对X射线检查的知情同意与接受现状。方法:随机抽取建德市属3家公立综合性医院共60位接受X线扫描的儿童患者家属为调查对象,发放自制调查问卷并统计分析。结果:55位(91.67%)患者表示治疗前主治医生只告知了X射线是诊断性检查,没有具体告知X射线的危害性;18位(30%)的患者家属不清楚辐射会对人体有损害,42位(70%)不清楚或不注意辐射警示标志,更不会主动要求防护措施,学历水平较高者及有从事医务工作背景者接受X射线检查的为12人(20%),明显低于学历水平低者或没有从事医务工作背景者的46人(76.67%),不知可否接受的有2人(3.33%)(P<0.001)。结论:基层医院儿科诊断性X射线扫描前的知情同意告知仍需加强,儿科放射检查偏多,应避免并加强宣传和教育。     

Nerve ultrasound reference data in children from two to seven years

ObjectiveWe examined selected peripheral and spinal nerves of children aged between two and seven years.MethodHigh resolution ultrasound was performed in 116 children (2–7 years of age) at 19 predefined landmarks of median, ulnar, tibial, fibular, sural and radial nerves, the vagus as well as cervical spinal nerve 5 and 6. Further, side-to-side measuring and grey-scale analysis was done at selected nerve sites.ResultsNerves of children were on average smaller than those of adults. Nerve growth correlates significantly with age in all nerves, the mean values were similar in the age of two to four years and five to seven years. Body mass index (BMI) and gender showed moderate effect at some nerve sites, however not uniformly in all. A side-to-side difference of up to 30% in median, and up to 20% in tibial nerve can occur in healthy individuals. Grey-scale analysis for echointensity has been performed in median, ulnar and tibial nerves.ConclusionNerve size increases with age, BMI and gender have moderate effect. A side-to-side-difference of up to 30% can exist.SignificanceReference values of nerve cross-sectional area, side-to-side-difference and echo intensity are necessary to detect nerve pathology in children as well as in adults.     

Increase in Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3 associated parapneumonic pleural effusion/empyema after the introduction of PCV13 in Germany

IntroductionPediatric pneumococcal pneumonia complicated by parapneumonic pleural effusion/empyema (PPE/PE) remains a major concern despite general immunization with pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs).MethodsIn a nationwide pediatric hospital surveillance study in Germany we identified 584 children <18 years of age with bacteriologically confirmed PPE/PE from October 2010 to June 2018. Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified by culture and/or PCR of blood samples and/or pleural fluid and serotyped.ResultsS. pneumoniae was identified in 256 of 584 (43.8%) children by culture (n = 122) and/or PCR (n = 207). The following pneumococcal serotypes were detected in 114 children: serotype 3 (42.1%), 1 (25.4%), 7F (12.3%), 19A (7.9%), other PCV13 serotypes (4.4%) and non-PCV13 serotypes (7.9%). Between October 2010 and June 2014 serotype 1 (38.1%) and serotype 3 (25.4%) were most prevalent, whereas between July 2014 and June 2018 serotype 3 (62.7%) and non-PCV13 serotypes (15.7%) were dominant. Compared to children with other pneumococcal serotypes, children with serotype 3 associated PPE/PE were younger (median 3.2 years [IQR 2.1–4.3 years] vs. median 5.6 years [IQR 3.8–8.2 years]; p < 0.001) and more frequently admitted to intensive care (43 [89.6%] vs. 48 [73.8%]; p = 0.04). Seventy-six of 114 (66.7%) children with pneumococcal PPE/PE had been vaccinated with pneumococcal vaccines. Thirty-nine of 76 (51.3%) had received a vaccine covering the serotype detected. Thirty of these 39 breakthrough cases were age-appropriately vaccinated with PCV13 and considered vaccine failures, including 26 children with serotype 3, three children with serotype 19A and one child with serotype 1.ConclusionFollowing the introduction of PCV13 in general childhood vaccination we observed a strong emergence of serotype 3 associated PPE/PE in the German pediatric population, including a considerable number of younger children with serotype 3 vaccine breakthrough cases and failures. Future PCVs should not only cover newly emerging serotypes, but also include a more effective component against serotype 3.     

Effects of second-hand smoking on lung functions in athlete and non-athlete school-aged children – observational study

BackgroundSecond-hand smoking or environmental tobacco smoke is a critical health risk. Children are the most vulnerable to second-hand smoking because of their small bronchial ducts, less developed immunity, and low-physical activity.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to ascertain the effects of second-hand smoking on lung functions in athlete and non-athlete school-aged children.MethodsThis observational study included forty-six school-aged children, their age was 8–15 years, assigned to three groups; 2 study groups and 1 control group (n=15). The study groups comprised of 16 football players, and of 15 cyclists. Lung functions were evaluated recording forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec and peak expiratory flow using digital spirometer.ResultsAll measures were recorded in definite values and the children were also classified into second-hand smoking (SH), or non-exposed to tobacco smoking (NE). The findings presented a significant increase (p<0.05) of the study groups in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec and peak expiratory flow solely for the non-exposed children. However, there were non-significant differences between the cyclists and football players or between the passive smoking children and non-exposed children in any of the two study groups (p>0.05).ConclusionThe outcomes of this study suggest beneficial influences of the sports activity on the lung functions, without different influences of the cyclists and football players on the lung functions.     

品管圈活动在喜疗妥联合新鲜马铃薯外敷治疗小儿输液外渗中的应用效果分析

目的探讨品管圈活动在喜疗妥联合新鲜马铃薯外敷治疗小儿输液外渗中的应用效果。方法选取我院2016年8月至2018年12月收治的输液外渗患儿100例,随机分为两组各50例。对照组给予50%硫酸镁湿敷治疗与常规护理,干预组采用喜疗妥联合新鲜马铃薯外敷,进行品管圈活动。对比两组的临床疗效、损伤痊愈时间和完全消肿时间。结果干预组的总有效率为90.00%,高于对照组的74.00%(P <0.05)。干预组的损伤痊愈时间和完全消肿时间短于对照组(P <0.05)。结论品管圈活动在喜疗妥联合新鲜马铃薯外敷治疗小儿输液外渗中的效果较好,可缩短临床症状消失时间,加快康复进程。     

Helicobacter pylori and gastric hyperacidity,and their association with recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Helicobacter pylori is an established cause of gastric ulcers. Its role in causing recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) remains controversial. Fifty-two RAS patients and 52 sex-matched controls were recruited in this case–control study. All subjects were screened for hematinic deficiencies and H. pylori. The latter was assessed quantitatively using the ¹⁴C-urea breath test. The χ² test and Wilcoxon signed ranks test were used to compare H. pylori and hematinic indices between cases and controls, while conditional logistic regression was used to assess the associations between the occurrence of RAS and independent factors. H. pylori was positive in 56.7% of the overall sample, with no difference between RAS patients (50.8%) and controls (49.2%) (P = 0.843). The median H. pylori and haematological indices values did not show any association with ulcer diameter, number, or frequency. Interestingly, gastric hyperacidity was significantly associated with RAS, and this association was independent from tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, and H. pylori (odds ratio 14.99, 95% confidence interval 2.47–90.95; P = 0.003). This study found no association between H. pylori and RAS. The association between RAS and gastric hyperacidity suggests that gastric refluxate, not H. pylori, has an effect on the oral mucosa that favours an ulcerative change.