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Published on: June 6, 2020
William H. Harridge Memorial Lecture: "Progress and its unintended consequences"
1Section of Pediatric Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, and Riley Children's Hospital, Indianapolis, IN, USA. jgrosfeld@iupui.edu
Insights
Advances in neonatal and pediatric care improve survival but introduce new challenges. Long-term follow-up is crucial for managing unintended consequences in survivors of premature birth and childhood cancer.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neonatal Care
- Pediatric Oncology
Background:
- Significant clinical and technological advances have improved management of neonatal and childhood conditions.
- Increased survival rates for infants and children have led to new, unintended health consequences.
Discussion:
- Review of progress in pediatric surgical care for newborns and cancer patients.
- Analysis of unintended consequences observed in survivors of these treatments.
Key Insights:
- Premature infants show improved survival but higher risks of necrotizing enterocolitis, chronic lung disease, and neurodevelopmental issues.
- Childhood cancer survivors face adverse sequelae from intensive therapies, including secondary neoplasms and multi-system effects.
Outlook:
- While survival rates are remarkable, new challenges emerge from these medical advancements.
- Modifications in patient care and long-term follow-up are essential for quality of life in survivors.
Background:
Because of the development of many clinical and technological advances, significant progress has been made in the management of many neonatal and childhood conditions. The improved survival of many infants and children who formerly died has been accompanied by a number of unintended consequences.
Methods:
A review is conducted of the progress achieved in 2 groups of patients requiring pediatric surgical care, newborns (especially the premature) and those afflicted with cancer, as well as the unintended consequences observed in survivors.
Results:
Dramatic improvements in the survival of premature infants have resulted in an increased number of patients at risk for necrotizing enterocolitis, chronic lung disease, and neuroimpairment, often associated with gastroesophageal reflux and cognitive difficulties. Childhood cancer survivors have many adverse sequelae of intense multidisciplinary therapy affecting multiple systems, including treatment-related second neoplasms.
Conclusions:
Remarkable advances in care have transpired, but improved survival may lead to new problems not previously experienced. Appropriate modifications in patient care and long-term follow-up are essential to maintain excellent survival and lessen the adverse consequences of treatment to ensure good quality of life.
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