Analysis of Postdischarge Interventions for Children Treated for Moderate or Severe Wasting, Growth Faltering or Failure, or Edema: A Systematic Review

Importance

Children treated for acute malnutrition remain at increased risk of relapse, infection, and mortality after programmatic recovery. Global guidelines for the management of acute malnutrition currently provide no recommendations to sustain recovery following treatment discharge.

Objective

To inform guideline development by evaluating the evidence on postdischarge interventions to improve outcomes within 6 months after discharge.

Evidence Review

In this systematic review, 8 databases were searched from inception through December 2021 and included randomized and quasi-experimental studies investigating interventions delivered after discharge from nutritional treatment for children aged 0 to 59 months. Outcomes were relapse, deterioration to severe wasting, readmission, sustained recovery, anthropometry, all-cause mortality, and morbidity within 6 months after discharge. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane tools, and the certainty of the evidence was evaluated with the GRADE approach.

Findings

Of 7124 records identified, 8 studies, conducted in 7 countries between 2003 and 2019 with 5965 participants, were included. The study interventions included antibiotic prophylaxis (n = 1), zinc supplementation (n = 1), food supplementation (n = 2), psychosocial stimulation (n = 3), unconditional cash transfers (n = 1), and an integrated biomedical, food supplementation, and malaria prevention package (n = 1). Risk of bias was moderate or high for half the studies. Only unconditional cash transfers were associated with reduced relapse, while the integrated package was associated with improved sustained recovery. Zinc supplementation, food supplementation, psychosocial stimulation, and unconditional cash transfers were associated with improvements in postdischarge anthropometry, while zinc supplementation was associated with reductions in multiple postdischarge morbidities.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this systematic review of postdischarge interventions to reduce relapse and improve other postdischarge outcomes among children treated for acute malnutrition, evidence was limited. Biomedical, cash, and integrated interventions showed promise in improving certain postdischarge outcomes for children treated for moderate or severe acute malnutrition in single studies. Further evidence on the efficacy, effectiveness, and operational feasibility of postdischarge interventions in other contexts is needed to inform global guidance development.

Preschool-Aged Household Contacts as a Risk Factor for Viral Respiratory Infections in Healthcare Personnel

Background

Viral respiratory infections (VRIs) are common and are occupational risks for healthcare personnel (HCP). VRIs can also be acquired at home and other settings among HCPs. We sought to determine if preschool-aged household contacts are a risk factor for VRIs among HCPs working in outpatient settings.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a cluster randomized trial at 7 medical centers in the United States over 4 influenza seasons from 2011-2012 to 2014-2015. Adult HCPs who routinely came within 6 feet of patients with respiratory infections were included. Participants were tested for respiratory viruses whenever symptomatic and at 2 random times each season when asymptomatic. The exposure of interest was the number of household contacts 0-5 years old (preschool-aged) at the beginning of each HCP-season. The primary outcome was the rate of polymerase chain reaction-detected VRIs, regardless of symptoms. The VRI incidence rate ratio (IRR) was calculated using a mixed-effects Poisson regression model that accounted for clustering at the clinic level.

Results

Among the 4476 HCP-seasons, most HCPs were female (85.4%) and between 30 and 49 years of age (54.6%). The overall VRI rate was 2.04 per 100 person-weeks. In the adjusted analysis, HCPs having 1 (IRR, 1.22 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.05-1.43]) and ≥2 (IRR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.09-1.67]) preschool-aged household contacts had higher VRI rates than those with zero preschool-aged household contacts.

Conclusions

Preschool-aged household contacts are a risk factor for developing VRIs among HCPs working in outpatient settings.

An exploratory qualitative study of caregivers' knowledge, perceptions and practices related to hospital hygiene in rural Niger

Background

The risk of healthcare-associated infections is exacerbated by poor hygiene practices in health care facilities and can contribute to increased patient morbidity and mortality. In low-income settings, caregivers play a key role in maintaining proper hygiene during inpatient stays. We aimed to explore caregivers' knowledge, perceptions and practices related to hospital hygiene in a rural, sub-Saharan African setting.

Methods

We conducted an exploratory qualitative study among caregivers of children admitted to an inpatient therapeutic feeding center in Madarounfa, Niger. Individual interviews with 28 caregivers of hospitalized children were conducted to explore their knowledge, perceptions and practices of hygiene in the health facility.

Findings

Caregivers described a broad understanding of hygiene and reported knowledge of its importance in the hospital, particularly to prevent disease transmission and protect child health. Hygiene was perceived as a collective rather than individual responsibility. Caregivers reported on the poor hygiene practice of others and cited a lack of space and hygiene materials as barriers to correct hygiene practice. Caregivers described educational sessions and informal sharing with other caregivers as tools to gain knowledge and improve practice.

Conclusion

This exploratory study is unique in describing the perspective of caregivers in a low-resource hospital setting, a group often underrepresented when designing health interventions to improve hospital hygiene. Our findings suggest a strong knowledge of hospital hygiene among caregivers in this setting, with positive perception of its importance in health promotion. Poor individual practice was reported but may be improved through additional education and provision of hygiene materials.

Influence of Pre-Season Antibodies against Influenza Virus on Risk of Influenza Infection among Health Care Personnel

BACKGROUND

The association of hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) antibodies with protection from influenza among healthcare personnel (HCP) with occupational exposure to influenza viruses has not been well-described.

METHODS

The Respiratory Protection Effectiveness Clinical Trial was a cluster-randomized, multi-site study that compared medical masks to N95 respirators in preventing viral respiratory infections among HCP in outpatient healthcare settings for 5,180 participant-seasons. Serum HAI antibody titers before each influenza season and influenza virus infection confirmed by polymerase chain reaction were studied over four study years.

RESULTS

In univariate models, the risk of influenza A(H3N2) and B virus infections was associated with HAI titers to each virus, study year, and site. HAI titers were strongly associated with vaccination. Within multivariate models, each log base 2 increase in titer was associated with 15%, 26% and 33-35% reductions in the hazard of influenza A(H3N2), A(H1N1) and B infections, respectively. Best models included pre-season antibody titers and study year, but not other variables.

CONCLUSIONS

HAI titers were associated with protection from influenza among HCP with routine exposure to patients with respiratory illness and influenza season contributed to risk. HCP can be reassured about receiving influenza vaccination to stimulate immunity.

A systematic review of antibody mediated immunity to coronaviruses: kinetics, correlates of protection, and association with severity

Many public health responses and modeled scenarios for COVID-19 outbreaks caused by SARS-CoV-2 assume that infection results in an immune response that protects individuals from future infections or illness for some amount of time. The presence or absence of protective immunity due to infection or vaccination (when available) will affect future transmission and illness severity. Here, we review the scientific literature on antibody immunity to coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 as well as the related SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and endemic human coronaviruses (HCoVs). We reviewed 2,452 abstracts and identified 491 manuscripts relevant to 5 areas of focus: 1) antibody kinetics, 2) correlates of protection, 3) immunopathogenesis, 4) antigenic diversity and cross-reactivity, and 5) population seroprevalence. While further studies of SARS-CoV-2 are necessary to determine immune responses, evidence from other coronaviruses can provide clues and guide future research.

Risk Factors for Healthcare Personnel Infection with Endemic Coronaviruses (HKU1, OC43, NL63, 229E): Results from the Respiratory Protection Effectiveness Clinical Trial (ResPECT)

Background

SARS-CoV-2 presents a large risk to healthcare personnel. Quantifying the risk of coronavirus infection associated with workplace activities is an urgent need.

Methods

We assessed the association of worker characteristics, occupational roles and behaviors, and participation in procedures with the risk of endemic coronavirus infection among healthcare personnel who participated in the Respiratory Protection Effectiveness Trial (ResPECT), a cluster randomized trial to assess personal protective equipment to prevent respiratory infections and illness conducted from 2011 to 2016.

Results

Among 4,689 HCP-seasons, we detected coronavirus infection in 387 (8%). HCP who participated in an aerosol generation procedure (AGP) at least once during the viral respiratory season were 105% (95% CI 21%, 240%) more likely to be diagnosed with a laboratory-confirmed coronavirus infection. Younger individuals, those who saw pediatric patients and those with household members under the age of five were at increased risk of coronavirus infection.

Conclusions

Our analysis suggests the risk of HCP becoming infected with an endemic coronavirus increases approximately two-fold with exposures to AGP. Our findings may be relevant to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; however, SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, may differ from endemic coronaviruses in important ways.

A systematic review of antibody mediated immunity to coronaviruses: antibody kinetics, correlates of protection, and association of antibody responses with severity of disease

The duration and nature of immunity generated in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection is unknown. Many public health responses and modeled scenarios for COVID-19 outbreaks caused by SARSCoV-2 assume that infection results in an immune response that protects individuals from future infections or illness for some amount of time. The timescale of protection is a critical determinant of the future impact of the pathogen. The presence or absence of protective immunity due to infection or vaccination (when available) will affect future transmission and illness severity. The dynamics of immunity and nature of protection are relevant to discussions surrounding therapeutic use of convalescent sera as well as efforts to identify individuals with protective immunity. Here, we review the scientific literature on antibody immunity to coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 as well as the related SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV and human endemic coronaviruses (HCoVs). We reviewed 1281 abstracts and identified 322 manuscripts relevant to 5 areas of focus: 1) antibody kinetics, 2) correlates of protection, 3) immunopathogenesis, 4) antigenic diversity and cross-reactivity, and 5) population seroprevalence. While studies of SARS-CoV-2 are necessary to determine immune responses to it, evidence from other coronaviruses can provide clues and guide future research.

1204. Increased Risk of Respiratory Infections Among Healthcare Personnel (HCP) Caring for Children

Background

Healthcare personnel (HCP) are exposed to many individuals with respiratory illness while providing care. Because children more frequently present for care with respiratory infections compared with older individuals, we hypothesized that HCP working in pediatric settings might experience greater risks of respiratory infection than HCP working in adult settings. The Respiratory Protection Effectiveness Clinical Trial (ResPECT) prospectively compared respiratory protection among HCP at seven health systems across the United States between 2011 and 2015.

Methods

Swabs were collected from asymptomatic participants twice each respiratory season. Swabs were collected from symptomatic HCP within 24 hours of self-reported respiratory symptoms and again if participants were still symptomatic after 7 days. PCR confirmation for 13 viruses was done by a single laboratory. We compared hazards of multiple outcomes associated with respiratory infections among HCP working in pediatric clinics and HCP working in clinics that care for adults.

Results

The main outcomes were risk factors for symptomatic and asymptomatic viral respiratory infections. A total of 5,180 participant-seasons were evaluated from 2011–2015, 1,130 of which worked solely with children. There were 403 and 1,162 incidents of asymptomatic and symptomatic PCR-confirmed respiratory infection, respectively. Risk factors associated with respiratory infection in the entire cohort included age, race, vaccination status, smoking status, wearing contacts, total household members, study site, and age of patient population. HCP working exclusively with pediatric patients had 1.5 (95% CI 1.2–1.8) times the rate of respiratory virus infection compared with HCP working only with adults. HCP who worked with both populations had 1.4 times (95% CI: 1.2–1.7) the rate of infection with respiratory viruses.

Conclusion

The risk of respiratory infections was increased among HCP that saw children. This risk was not mitigated by working only part-time with children and extended to those who identified as working with both adult and pediatric populations. Our findings highlight the need to target interventions in pediatric settings to decrease HCP acquisition of respiratory infections.

Disclosures

Trish M. Perl, MD; MSc, 7–11: Advisory Board; medimmune: Research Grant.

1205. Healthcare Personnel Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs Towards Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Protection from Respiratory Infections

Background

Healthcare personnel (HCP) knowledge and attitudes toward Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures are important determinants of practices that can protect them from acquisition of infectious diseases from patients. We aimed to describe HCP knowledge and attitudes concerning IPC measures over time in the context of a clinical trial.

Methods

ResPECT was a multi-center, multi-season cluster randomized clinical trial designed to compare the effectiveness of medical masks (MM) and N95 respirators (N95) for preventing acute respiratory illnesses in HCP employed in outpatient clinical settings. At the beginning of each respiratory virus season, participants completed a survey instrument to measure IPC knowledge. At the beginning and end of each season participants completed a survey to assess attitudes and beliefs about IPC measures, especially MM and N95.

Results

A pre-study and post-study survey pair was available for 88.1% of participant seasons. There were no significant differences in demographic variables or job assignment between survey respondents and nonrespondents for each participant season. Participants correctly identified 59.8% to 63.4% of IPC measures that should be used by HCP when exposed to patients with symptoms of acute respiratory illness, or at high risk of infection. There was modest improvement in the knowledge score over time among providers who participated for multiple years in the study. In the first pre-study survey of IPC attitudes and beliefs, 88.5% and 87.9% of participants identified at least one reason to avoid using either MM and N95, respectively (Figure 1). At the post-season survey, the proportion of participants reporting a reason to avoid MM fell to 39.6% (IRR for pre- vs. post-season 0.15, 95% CI 0.13–0.17) and 53.6% reported a reason to avoid N95 (IRR 0.57, 95% CI 0.51–0.66).

Conclusion

HCPknowledge of IPC precautions was poor, suggesting a need for better IPC education and accountability in the outpatient setting. When given incentives to comply with processes toward which they had negative attitudes at baseline, HCP realized that medical masks and N95 respirators were comfortable enough to wear for patient encounters and interfered with their work processes less than expected.

Disclosures

Trish M. Perl, MD; MSc, 7–11: Advisory Board; medimmune: Research Grant.

Secondary implantation of open-loop, flexible, anterior chamber intraocular lenses

PURPOSE

To assess the results of implantation of secondary, open-loop, flexible, anterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs) and compare the findings with those of other published studies.

SETTING

A combined ophthalmology and ear, nose, and throat hospital in Middlesbrough, Cleveland, England.

METHODS

This retrospective study comprised 81 patients who had secondary implantation of a flexible, open-loop, anterior chamber IOL by the one surgeon. The incidence of postoperative complications was ascertained, and best corrected preoperative and postoperative visual acuities were compared.

RESULTS

Two serious complications occurred: one severe loss of vision that is still under investigation and one retinal detachment that was repaired with good residual visual function. Of all 81 patients, 92.5% were within one Snellen line of their preoperative best corrected visual acuity. These results compare favorably with those of other published studies.

CONCLUSION

Using an open-loop, flexible, anterior chamber lens for secondary implantation is still an acceptable way to treat aphakia. The poor reputation of these lenses is undeserved.

Flexible open-loop anterior chamber intraocular lens implantation after posterior capsule complications in extracapsular cataract extraction

OBJECTIVES

To analyze 50 cases of flexible open-loop anterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation after posterior capsule rupture and vitreous loss and compare the results with those of other published series.

SETTING

North Riding Infirmary, Cleveland, England.

METHODS

This retrospective study, with a follow-up between 3 and 81 months, comprised all patients who had a flexible open-loop anterior chamber IOL implanted because of significant posterior capsule problems during extracapsular cataract extraction. The incidence of postoperative complications and best corrected visual acuity results were determined.

RESULTS

Three patients with cystoid macular edema achieved final best corrected visual acuity of 6/9 (20/30). There was one retinal detachment and one traumatic incision rupture with IOL loss 6 weeks postoperatively and subsequent retinal detachment and phthisis. Seventy-two percent achieved a best corrected visual acuity of 6/9 (20/30).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results agree with those of other published series. Implantation of a flexible open-loop anterior chamber IOL as a primary lens is still an acceptable way of treating posterior capsule complications in cataract surgery.