With millions of journal articles published yearly, it is impossible to keep up. Every month, we ask some of our friends from PERUKI (Paediatric Emergency Research in the UK and Ireland) to point out something that has caught their eye.
Article 1: Aerobic exercise vs stretching for post-concussive symptoms- which is better?
Leddy JJ et al. Early targeted heart rate aerobic exercise versus placebo stretching for sport-related concussion in adolescents: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet Child Adolesc Health 2021:(5):792-99
What’s it about?
This study aimed to determine whether stretching or targeted heart rate aerobic exercise within ten days after a sport-related concussion would improve clinical recovery. A prospective multi-centre randomised controlled trial of 118 adolescents was performed across community sports medicine and hospital clinics in the United States. Patients were recruited if they were aged 13-18 and presented within ten days of a concussion. Four weeks of twenty minutes of daily exercise or stretching were prescribed. Trial outcomes included clinical recovery (i.e. normal exercise tolerance, return to baseline symptoms with normal physical exam) and persistence of post-concussive symptoms using the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory score beyond 28 days after injury.
After four weeks, aerobic exercise significantly affected clinical recovery and a 48% reduced risk of persistent post-concussive symptoms (0.52 hazard ratio [95% CI 0.28-0.97], p=0.039). Those at hospital-affiliated sites had a higher rate of delayed recovery than community clinics, but they also tended to be more symptomatic.
Why does it matter?
The management of sports-related concussions has traditionally recommended strict cognitive and physical rest until symptoms resolve. However, research has shown benefits in early moderate spontaneous activity and mild to moderate aerobic exercise. It can help improve parasympathetic tone and improve cerebral blood flow regulation.
This study had a large sample size and took place at various trial centres, which allows for greater generalisability compared to previous studies. In this trial, exercise adherence was also more accurately and objectively measured using heart monitors compared to prior studies, which used self-reported adherence.
Clinically Relevant Bottom Line:
Adolescents assigned to early sub-symptom threshold aerobic exercise recovered safely, faster, and with reduced likelihood of persistent post-concussive symptoms compared to adolescents assigned to non-aerobic stretching exercises.
Reviewed by: Ivy Jiang
Article 2: A look at paediatric trauma in London and the South-East
Elbourne C, Cole E, Marsh S, et al. At risk child: a contemporary analysis of injured children in London and the South East of England: a prospective, multicentre cohort study. BMJ Paediatrics Open 2021;5:e001114. doi:10.1136/ bmjpo-2021-001114
What’s it about?
This was a 3-month prospective multicentre cohort evaluation of injured children across the London Major Trauma System. Children were selected if they required trauma team activation or if NICE head injury criteria were met. Injury demographics and mechanism of injury were reviewed.
The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and the secondary was safeguarding concerns.
Why does it matter?
659 children were reviewed in the study. Young children (0-5) were more likely to be injured at home (around 70%). Head trauma caused 1 in 2 (50%) injuries under five.
Adolescents were more likely to be injured in the street (42%), and more than 1 in 5 adolescents suffered penetrating trauma. A quarter of adolescents had third-sector involvement, and a quarter of young children had safeguarding concerns raised at the time of injury. Most children had a hospital stay of less than three days. This is a change from the traditional view of paediatric trauma.
Clinically Relevant Bottom Line:
This study suggests that paediatric trauma is under-reported by normal TARN (Trauma Audit Research Network (UK)) and MTC (Major Trauma Centre) criteria (this may be in order to trigger a referral to TARN a higher ISS (Injury severity score) is required than that used in this study). Even ‘minor’ head injuries can have long-standing neurological effects. There is a bimodal distribution of safeguarding concerns among the youngest and oldest population cohorts in this study. With the changing demographics of paediatric trauma care, we need to look at different ways of safeguarding future generations; a low threshold for multi-disciplinary teamwork is a must.
Reviewed by: Sam Danaher
Article 3: Do we do more c-spine imaging depending on which rule we use?
Phillips N, Rasmussen K, McGuire S, et al. Projected paediatric cervical spine imaging rates with application of NEXUS, Canadian C-Spine and PECARN clinical decision rules in a prospective Australian cohort. Emergency Medicine Journal 2021;38:330-337.
What’s it all about?
This prospective observational study was conducted in the Emergency Department of a paediatric trauma centre in Australia. It looked at imaging rates in children presenting with C-spine injury (CSI) and compared these to predicted imaging rates if NEXUS, Canadian C-spine, or PECARN clinical decision rules (CDRs) were applied.
ED clinical staff identified and enrolled patients and were instructed to manage them as they usually would. Data were collected at the initial assessment and post-discharge. The primary outcome was the presence of any radiologically determined cervical spine injury on XR, CT, or MRI as reported by a Paediatric Radiologist.
973 patients were included in the study. The most common mechanism was falling, followed by motor vehicle-related accidents. Neck pain, followed by spinal tenderness on examination, was the most common complaint. Only 6% had focal neurology.
41% had their C-spine imaged, with the most common modality being X-ray, followed by CT.
Five children (0.5%) aged between 7 and 14 were found to have radiologically determined CSI. All 3 CDRs, if applied, would have identified the children with these injuries.
When the CDRs were applied, only 50-75% of those considered ‘rule positive’ were imaged in this study, depending on the rule applied. If the CDRs had been strictly adhered to, projected imaging rates would have increased to 44-68%.
Why does it matter?
Paediatric CSI only occurs in 1-2% of paediatric trauma presentations but can have devastating consequences.
In adults, well-evidenced clinical decision rules can be used to decide whether to image. However, in children, the performance and validity of these CDRs are limited, particularly in younger children, meaning that they are often used in an ad-hoc manner in clinical practice. They also do not address which imaging modality should be used.
The Bottom Line:
This study demonstrates that if existing clinical decision rules for assessing C-spine injuries were strictly adhered to, projected imaging rates would increase and differ considerably depending on the CDR applied. This highlights the need for a validated, paediatric-specific, C-spine imaging CDR to determine who we should image and which modality we should use.
You can hear Natalie Phillips talking about the study at DFTB19.
Reviewed by: Laura Duthie
Article 4: A different angle in the history of male adolescents with eating disorder symptoms?
The Course of Weight/Shape Concerns and Disordered Eating Symptoms Among Adolescent and Young Adult Males. Glazer K B, Zibrowski H N, Horton N J, Calzo J P and Field A E.Journal of Adolescent Health. Vol 69 (2021) 615-21. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.03.036
What’s it about?
I found this study in an old-school print version of the October ‘21 JAH. This sizeable general population prospective cohort study of 4489 US males looked at behaviours consistent with bulimia, binge eating disorder and purging disorder and the relationship over time with concerns around thinness, muscularity and muscle-enhancing products. Of the ~1% of young people with high concerns about weight, nearly 95% also had doubts about muscularity.
Why does it matter?
In the COVID-19 pandemic era, eating disorders have exploded. This includes more males with eating disorders, traditionally a smaller proportion of this diagnosis. The pre-pandemic study sought to understand the relationship between concerns about muscularity in the context of other eating disorder cognitions (worry about thinness) and validates the need to ask about muscle concerns.
The bottom line
If you have concerns that a male has disordered eating, rather than asking about “thinness”, a better line of questioning is around muscularity. “How often have you thought about wanting bigger muscles?” This framework may also help prevent harmful body image or weight control behaviours; it will undoubtedly change how I ask these questions for this cohort.
Reviewed by: Henry Goldstein
Article 5: Understanding the complexities of childhood trauma
Forkey, H., Szilagyi, M., Kelly, E., Duffee, J. (2021) Trauma – Informed Care, American Academy of Paediatrics, Vol 148 (2), Online e publication: 2021052580
What’s it about?
A problematic aspect of paediatrics is seeing children who have experienced different types of trauma, including (but not limited to) physical or emotional trauma at home, living through natural disasters, acts of terrorism, discrimination, racism, or witnessing traumatic incidents such as domestic violence, caregiver mental illness or substance abuse. The scientific understanding of how trauma affects the developing brain has increased significantly in recent years, however guidelines for Trauma Informed Care (TIC) are still being established.
This article thoroughly explains the types of trauma that can be experienced and the subsequent physiological and developmental effects. Initially, with any traumatic event, the primal survival response (fight, flight or freeze) occurs as an immediate protective measure to help reduce the level of danger to the child. With ongoing trauma, the long-term stress response turns on, and children can have long-lasting consequences, which can manifest development delay or regression and maladaptive behaviours, which may be protective in the traumatic environment but not appropriate elsewhere. There are also three significant physiological changes in the brain, the immune system and our genetic code:
1) Overactivity of the amygdala, with underactivity of the hippocampus and being unable to access the prefrontal cortex, predisposing them to depression, anxiety and reactivity disorders
2) Up-regulation of the inflammatory system with more circulating cytokines, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, decreased appetite, fatigue, nausea as well as poor cognitive function, irritability and depression
3) Methylation patterns, which can be mediated by cortisol levels, can lead to chronic mental health issues
This article also explores the effects of trauma on the child’s primary caregiver as they watch their child change under the impact of trauma and stress. This can lead to a stress response in the caregivers themselves, which may cause a subsequent breakdown in the child-caregiver relationship, leading to more pressure on the child and loss of a crucial connection, a key protective factor for the child’s healthy development.
Why does it matter?
With the complex behavioural and physiological changes in the child and caregiver, it is important to understand that TIC is an integrated, longitudinal and relational healthcare model. The goal is to rebuild relationships and promote resilience.
An open, honest discussion in a safe space will allow the paediatrician to evaluate the child’s and caregiver’s strengths to help guide them onto a path to rebuild a healthy relationship. Monitoring a child’s physical symptoms (particularly headaches, abdominal pain, nausea, etc), mood, development, growth, eating habits, and sleeping patterns is important.
Sometimes, medication can be used to optimise sleep, improve mood or reduce symptoms. Psychological treatments should also be incorporated to help promote positive parenting skills and emotional regulation and build self-esteem for both the caregiver and the child. This will help promote positive behaviours, decrease stress responses, and build resilience.
Clinically Relevant Bottom Line:
If this sounds like a lot, it is. This complex model of care needs to be introduced and integrated over time with a strong foundation of trust. This article discusses the complexities of trauma and all its effects and provides an introductory guide on how to approach and support children and their caregivers through their traumatic experiences.
Reviewed by: Tina Abi Abdallah
If we have missed out on something useful or you think other articles are worth sharing, please add them in the comments!
That’s it for this month. Many thanks to all of our reviewers who have taken the time to scour the literature so you don’t have to.
All articles were reviewed and edited by Vicki Currie.
