Evaluation and Management of Suspected Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) Infection Clinical Pathway Clostridium difficile is a significant infection that is becoming more common in children. Although most episodes can be treated with initial empiric first line therapies, some patients should receive a pre-emptive escalation of therapy. Further, when recurrence becomes an issue
Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) Clinical Pathway Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) is among the most common causes for hospitalization and is responsible for 124,000 hospitalizations annually. In 2011, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America released a clinical practice
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Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Linked to Heart Problems Like Myocarditis and Pericarditis in Young People? By Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP: This post was last updated on December 16, 2021. During the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the CDC has kept a close eye on rare reports of heart problems in vaccinated young people. In addition to being rare, almost all of the cases have been mild. And COVID-19 infection remains a
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Are You Doing Tummy Time Correctly With Your Baby? By Kim Hrapchak, PT, MSPT: Do you dread tummy time? If your baby starts fussing the moment they’re belly-down, you might be tempted to cut it short, or skip it altogether. Stay strong! Tummy time is a really important exercise for your baby. Connecticut Children’s pediatric physical therapist Kim Hrapchak
Delirium Clinical Pathway Delirium is defined as an acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by disturbances of cognition, attention, consciousness or perception that is potentially life threatening. It is important to recognize that delirium is secondary to a medical etiology, not an isolated
Diabetes Insipidus (DI) Post-operative Neurosurgical Management Clinical Pathway Diabetes Insipidus (DI) refers to the passage of large volumes of dilute urine, and may result from the decreased secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) by the posterior pituitary gland. Patients undergoing neurosurgical surgery in the sellar or parasellar region are at
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4 Things to Know About Heart Murmurs in Children By Seth Lapuk, MD: Up to three out of four kids will have a heart murmur at some point in childhood, but in most cases, it’s nothing to worry about. To explain more, Connecticut Children’s pediatric cardiologist (and American Heart Association leader!) Seth Lapuk, MD, joins the blog. 1. Most heart
Diabetic Ketoacidosis Clinical Pathway Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially fatal metabolic complication of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. DKA consists of the biochemical triad of hyperglycemia, ketonemia and metabolic acidosis, resulting from absolute or relative insulin deficiency in the presence of an
Eating Disorder Clinical Pathway Eating disorders are increasingly prevalent in pediatrics and represent a complex interaction between medical and psychiatric manifestations. The need for a standardized approach is critical, due to the high risk of the condition (eating disorders have the highest mortality of
Esophageal Button Battery Management Clinical Pathway In the US, approximately 3,500 children are treated annually in emergency departments for button battery ingestion. Button batteries that are lodged in the esophagus have the potential to cause catastrophic thermal injuries. Quick recognition and removal of the battery leads to
Fever and Sepsis Evaluation in the Infant (Ages 29-60 days) Clinical Pathway Fever is a common reason for visits to the Emergency Department (ED) and for admission to the hospital. Nationally, there are 500,000 ED visits annually for children ≤ 60 days of age with fever. Though most febrile illnesses in infants less than 90 days of age are caused by viral
Fever and Sepsis Evaluation in the Neonate (0-28 days) Clinical Pathway Neonates presenting with fever are at high risk of having and/or developing a serious bacterial infection. In addition, neonates can present with extensive HSV disease. Early identification and management is critical for improved outcomes. The AAP released a new clinical practice
Gastroenteritis and Dehydration Clinical Pathway Acute gastroenteritis in children is most commonly caused by viral pathogens, accounting for 1.7 million Emergency Department visits and 200,000 hospitalizations annually. Complications of gastroenteritis, include dehydration and/or electrolyte abnormalities and acid base
Hemangioma Management Clinical Pathway Infantile hemangiomas are common benign tumors that can cause significant complications such as permanent disfigurement, ulceration, bleeding, visual compromise, airway obstruction, and congestive heart failure. They affect up to 2-5% of all infants and up to 30% of premature
High Flow Nasal Cannula Use in Patients Outside of the Intensive Care Unit Clinical Pathway High flow systems are designed to heat and humidify gas mixtures for safe delivery at flow rates that meet or exceed a patient’s inspiratory flow demands, thereby decreasing work of breathing in the setting of respiratory illness. In addition to the benefits of avoiding more