Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a known complication of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in pediatric patients. We sought to evaluate the impact of prolonged bacteremia associated with a retained central venous catheter (CVC) in the diagnosis of IE using Duke criteria. Methods: We conducted a 13-year retrospective review of hospitalized patients with blood cultures positive for S. aureus from 1993 to 2005. Subjects were identified from the microbiology database and medical records. To identify patients with IE we retrospectively applied the Duke criteria by recording the number of positive blood cultures, time to sterilization, presence of congenital heart disease, fever >38.5°C, and echocardiographic findings. Results: During the study period, 344 events of S. aureus bacteremia were identified in 316 pediatric patients. S. aureus bacteremia attributable mortality was 1.7% (n = 6), all among patients with comorbid conditions. By applying the Duke criteria to the 206 (60%) patients who received echocardiographic evaluation, 78 (37.9%) patients were given a diagnosis of IE (7 definite; 71 possible). The incidence of definite IE in patients with CVC is 3.4% and the incidence in patients without CVC is 3.4% (P = 0.6305). The incidence of possible IE in patients with CVC is 42.9%, whereas the incidence in patients without CVC is 23% (P = 0.002). Conclusions: Evaluation for IE is inconsistently done. The presence of a CVC may skew the diagnosis of IE by prolonging the bacteremic state. We believe that a major microbiologic criteria should not be assumed unless cultures remain positive after removal of CVC.

In February 2007, we experienced an abrupt 8-fold increase in vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)-positive pediatric hematology/oncology patients in isolation per day, peaking at 12 patients in isolation per day in June 2007. We enforced and expanded infection prevention practices and initiated a rigorous 6-month clearance process. After noting an eventual decrease, we modified clearance to a 3-month process, maintaining <1 patient/day in isolation by June 2009, subjectively improving family and staff satisfaction after this 2-year process. VRE infection was relatively uncommon (7.8%), although continued VRE colonization portended an overall poorer prognosis.

Background/Objective: Millions of children were infected with SARS-CoV-2, and a small proportion progressed to severe disease, especially those with underlying risk factors. Adult COVID-19 studies showed mortality benefits with Remdesivir. Data on Remdesivir use in pediatrics are limited. We report on the safety and tolerability of Remdesivir in pediatric patients seen at our institution. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients <19 years old with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection who received at least one dose of Remdesivir. Patients followed strict institutional guidelines for safety monitoring including standard clinical and laboratory daily observations. Demographics and underlying conditions were reported as averages; for laboratory values, linear regression was applied within a generalized linear mixed-effects model framework to evaluate the significance of changes in average levels over time. Results: We enrolled 318 patients with acute SARS-CoV2 infection from May 2020 to December 2022. In total, 53% were male, and the age range was distributed broadly. In total, 61% were school-aged children (28% 5–11 and 33% 12–18 years of age). In total, 62% of cases were Hispanic. The most common reasons for Remdesivir treatment included respiratory distress (201; 63%) and having high-risk underlying conditions (109; 34%). Therapy was completed as planned in 91% and discontinued early in 9%. Mean baseline, peak, and end of treatment values for AST were 57 (95% CI 53, 61), 79 (95% CI 73, 84) (p < 0.001), and 55 (51, 59) (p = 0.479); for ALT, they were 42 (38, 47), 59 (95% CI 52, 66) (p < 0.001), and 46 (95% CI 41, 52) (p = 0.054); and for bilirubin, they were 0.56 (95% CI 0.50, 0.62), 0.67 (95% CI 0.61, 0.74) (p < 0.001), and 0.44 (95% CI 0.40, 0.48) (p < 0.001), respectively. During Remdesivir treatment, we did not observe marrow suppression or renal toxicity. Conclusions: No clinically significant hematological or renal toxicity was noted. Mean liver enzymes increased modestly and returned to baseline without interrupting treatment. Remdesivir was well tolerated in patients <19 years old.

Data on COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) safety and efficacy in children and young adults are limited. This single-center prospective, open-label trial evaluates CCP safety, neutralizing antibody kinetics, and outcomes in children and young adults with moderate/severe COVID-19 (April 2020–March 2021). A total of 46 subjects received CCP; 43 were included in the safety analysis (SAS); 7.0% < 2 years old, 2.3% 2–<6, 27.9% 6–<12, 39.5% 12– 19 years old; 28 were included in the antibody kinetic analysis (AbKS); 10.7% < 2 years old, 10.7% 6–<12, 53.8% 12– 19 years old. No adverse events occurred. The median COVID-19 severity score improved (5.0 pre-CCP to 1.0 by day 7; p < 0.001). A rapid increase in the median percentage of inhibition was observed in AbKS (22.5% (13.0%, 41.5%) pre-infusion to 52% (23.7%, 72%) 24 h post-infusion); a similar increase was observed in nine immune-competent subjects (28% (23%, 35%) to 63% (53%, 72%)). The inhibition percentage increased until day 7 and persisted at 21 and 90 days. CCP is well tolerated in children and young adults, providing rapid and robust increased antibodies. CCP should remain a therapeutic option for this population for whom vaccines are not fully available and given that the safety and efficacy of existing monoclonal antibodies and antiviral agents have not been established.