Inflammatory Bowel Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Management of Care for Students at School

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term for two chronic and recurrent digestive conditions, Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Both are characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract but not caused by infection or other identifiable causes. Childhood IBD often leads to a more extensive disease and a more aggressive course than adult-onset disease. Since children spend a lot of time at school, children with IBD may experience symptoms while at school. As a result, school nurses play a crucial role in identifying and managing students with IBD within their school or school district. It is important for a school nurse to understand the etiology, symptoms, and management of IBD to provide management of care at school.

Evaluating Ease of Use and Patient Safety of Dasiglucagon Hypo Pal Autoinjector for the Management of Hypoglycemia

Introduction

Severe hypoglycemia is a medical emergency that must be treated promptly in order to prevent complications or death in a patient. Patients who have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and treated with insulin have the potential to experience a severe hypoglycemia episode, or low blood sugar. When a patient is experiencing severe hypoglycemia, it is imperative for this patient to receive glucose quickly. However, patients who are experiencing low blood sugar may not be able to manage for themselves, take food or liquid orally or may be unconscious. Glucagon is a medication that reverses low blood sugar. Up until 2018, glucagon had to be reconstituted immediately before injection because of the medication's lack of stability after reconstitution. A medication recently approved for patients 6 years through adult is Dasiglucagon. This form of glucagon comes in a ready-to-administer, pre-filled syringe, making it easier for caretakers and bystanders to administer in an emergency situation due to the readiness of the medication.

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to evaluate literature that pertains to the ease of use and patient safety of dasiglucagon HypoPal autoinjector for the management of severe hypoglycemia.

COVID-19 Pediatric Vaccination Attitudes Among Parents in Ohio

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to examine factors associated with parental intention to vaccinate children against COVID-19 in Ohio following pediatric vaccine approval in October 2021.

METHOD

Online anonymous surveys were distributed between November 2021 and January 2022 to parents in Ohio.

RESULTS

Surveys were completed by 581 parents of whom 43.5% reported they intended to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, whereas 56.5% did not intend to vaccinate their children. Perceiving a lack of support by health care providers was significantly associated with not intending to vaccinate children against COVID-19 (p < .001).

DISCUSSION

Survey results from parents in Ohio indicate that perceived health care provider support and parents' attitudes about pediatric COVID-19 vaccination influenced their intent to vaccinate their children. Hence, health care providers working with families need to focus on educating parents regarding the importance and safety of vaccination.

Maternal Self-Confidence and Breastfeeding after Participating in a Program about Infant Prone Positioning

PURPOSE

Maternal self-confidence facilitates infant growth and new mother role development. Infant ability to breastfeed and maternal breastfeeding self-confidence are imperative to helping mothers meet their breastfeeding goals. Consistent opportunity for infant movement in the prone position has been shown to improve breastfeeding ability; however, families report a lack of knowledge of how to safely support this activity. Perceptions of maternal self-confidence, infant development, and breastfeeding success upon completion of an infant prone positioning program with focus on posture, movement, and connection were studied.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Qualitative interviews were conducted among breastfeeding mothers in three states to explore maternal perceptions of learning about infant prone positioning.

RESULTS

Thirty-five mothers who completed an infant prone positioning program shared their perceptions of infant interaction, prone play and positioning, and breastfeeding self-confidence. Four primary themes were identified from the analysis: maternal knowledge and self-confidence; strategies and practices learned; breastfeeding benefits of infant prone positioning; and motivation for program participation.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Our findings support consideration of teaching new mothers about prone positioning to enhance self-confidence in mothering, breastfeeding skills, infant development, and maternal-infant dyad bonding.

Pharmacology Update: Emergency Medications for Hypoglycemia in Diabetes

Children and adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are at risk for severe hypoglycemia, an unpredictable and potentially life-threatening situation. Severe hypoglycemia creates low blood glucose levels in which a person has an altered mental status or physical symptoms that require assistance from another individual to treat the hypoglycemia. Treatment of severe hypoglycemia is a medical emergency and prompt treatment is important for the well-being of students with diabetes. If left untreated, severe hypoglycemia can lead to death. Glucagon is a medication used to treat severe hypoglycemia outside of a healthcare facility. Recently, more stable and easier to use formulations of glucagon have become available. The purpose of this pharmacology update is to describe two new formulations of ready to use glucagon: an intranasal and subcutaneous, autoinjector formulation.