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This cross-sectional analysis of 86,111 visits for sickle cell disease and vaso-occlusive episodes (VOE) in U.S. pediatric emergency departments between 2013 and 2023 shows increased use of NSAIDs, ketamine, and acetaminophen, with unchanged opioid use. Hospitals with a higher volume of VOE visits more frequently administered opioids. Vaso-occlusive episodes (VOEs) are a hallmark of sickle cell disease (SCD), leading to frequent emergency department (ED) visits. Effective pain management is crucial, with guidelines recommending routine use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with opioids, and emerging evidence supporting ketamine use. However, these recommendations are based on low-certainty evidence, and the impact of these guidelines on analgesia use over time remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze trends in analgesia use over an 11-year period in pediatric SCD patients presenting to U.S. EDs with VOE and assess variations in treatment across hospitals. A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Pediatric Health Information System covering 34 U.S. children's hospitals from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2023. The primary outcomes were the proportions of visits where opioids, NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and/or ketamine were administered on the first calendar day of the initial visit. Secondary outcomes included the co-administration of NSAIDs with opioids. Logistic and linear regression models were used to assess trends and hospital-level variations. A total of 86,111 ED visits for VOE were analyzed. Opioids were administered in 82 % of encounters, NSAIDs in 72 %, acetaminophen in 17 %, and ketamine in 1 %. Co-administration of NSAIDs with opioids occurred in 59 % of the visits. Among discharged patients, there was a positive trend for NSAID use (slope: 1.68 %/year, 95 % CI: 0.91 %, 2.45 %) and NSAID-opioid co-administration (slope: 1.03 %/year, 95 % CI: 0.37 %, 1.69 %) over time. Acetaminophen use also increased over the study period (slope: 0.99 %/year, 95 % CI: 0.80 %, 1.17 %). In hospitalized patients, there was a significant upward trend for acetaminophen (slope: 1.29 %/year, 95 % CI: 0.69 %, 1.89 %) and ketamine (slope: 0.36 %/year, 95 % CI: 0.27 %, 0.45 %), while opioid use remained unchanged. Significant hospital-level variations were observed, with larger hospitals more likely to administer opioids but less likely to co-administer NSAIDs with opioids compared to medium-volume hospitals. Over the past decade, the use of NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and ketamine has increased in the management of VOE in pediatric SCD patients, while opioid use remains consistent. The co-administration of NSAIDs and opioids has also increased, reflecting guideline adherence. Variations in analgesia practices across hospitals underscore the need for standardizing pain management strategies in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the shortage of pediatricians in the US and China, highlighting various factors contributing to this issue. China has made significant progress in addressing the shortage by implementing strategic initiatives and increasing the number of pediatricians. The challenges faced by pediatricians, such as financial constraints and administrative burdens, are universal, emphasizing the need for global attention to support and value pediatric care. The authors propose reforms to streamline pediatric training and address financial disparities to attract more medical students to the field. [Extracted from the article]

The worldwide spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a global pandemic since its identification in Wuhan, China in December 2019. 1 Few cases of COVID-19-associated dermatologic manifestations have been reported in the literature to date. This report describes the clinical features of a localized pruritic scarlatiniform rash of the ears and antecubital fossa on defervescence in a 29-year-old patient with COVID-19. Our case stands to further illuminate the dermatologic manifestations of this novel disease., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: The authors declare that there are no conflicting or competing interests., (© Copyright 2021 by the American Board of Family Medicine.)