Unegbu C et al. Pulmonary Hypertension Therapy and a Systematic Review of Efficacy and Safety of PDE-5 Inhibitors. Pediatrics. 2017 Feb 24. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 28235796   This systematic review shows that PDE5 inhibitor use improves specific cardiac and oxygenation measures in pediatric PH and it suggests that low- and moderate-doses of sildenafil are safe for children. This review is of 8 randomized controlled trials and 13 observational studies.

Barnert ES et al. Experts’ Perspectives toward a Population Health Approach for Children with Medical Complexity. Acad Pediatr 2017 Feb 25. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID 28246024.

This study interviewed 23 national experts (from advocates, health providers, researchers, social service providers, and policy makers) on children with medical complexity to identify themes in this population and a framework to identify population health metrics.

Maclean MJ et al. Maltreatment Risk Among Children With Disabilities. Pediatrics 2017 Mar 6. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID 28264988
“Children with disabilities make up 10.4% of the population, they represent 25.9% of children with a maltreatment allegation” as cited by the authors though this study identifies that this percentage varies with etiology of their disability.

McPherson ML et al. A decade of pediatric tracheostomies: Indications, outcomes, and long-term prognosis. Pediatr Pulmonol 2017 Mar 6. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID 28263440.
This cohort study looks at children with trachs from a single institution and their outcomes. Mortality and likelihood of decannulation was correlated to indication for trach.

CLASSIC READ OF THE MONTH

Srivastava R et al. Hospitalist Care of the Medically Complex Child. Pediatr Clin N Am 2005; 1165-87. PMID: 16009262.

I like to handout this article to residents to help them learn about inpatient care of complex patients especially since it addresses medical technologies. It is also a great read to remind oneself of the principals of inpatient complex care.