Seminars

Prevalence and risk factors of neurodevelopmental disorders among patients with inborn errors of immunity

Dr. Vivian Chen, PGY2

Supervisor: Dr. Rae Brager, Associate Professor, Pediatrics, McMaster University

Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) encompass a diverse group of rare genetic disorders that impair immune system development and function. Advances in screening and treatment regimens have led to improved survival rates for children with IEI, making long-term outcomes, particularly neurodevelopment, an increasingly important area of concern. This systematic review aims to examine and synthesize the available evidence on neurodevelopmental disorders in patients diagnosed with inborn errors of immunity (IEI), focusing on the following: 1) Assessing the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders in patients with IEI, 2) Identify the potential role of factors such as type of IEI, infections, hospitalizations, and treatments in influencing neurodevelopmental outcomes in these patients.

Exploring the Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Pediatric Newcomer Children with Hemoglobinopathies in the Canadian Healthcare System

Dr. Nadia Narendran, PGY2

Supervisor: Dr. Meghna Dua, Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, McMaster University

This study investigates whether social determinants of health (SDOH) disproportionately affect pediatric newcomer children with hemoglobinopathies in accessing and utilizing healthcare compared to non-newcomer peers in Canada. Pediatric newcomers often face barriers like language, housing instability, and unfamiliarity with healthcare systems, which may interfere with managing chronic conditions such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia. The research will use a retrospective chart review at McMaster Children’s Hospital to compare healthcare utilization, missed appointments, and documented barriers between newcomer and non-newcomer pediatric patients. Socioeconomic and geographic data linked to patients’ postal codes will be analyzed to contextualize social challenges. Findings aim to inform targeted interventions and healthcare policy improvements for vulnerable newcomer populations.

Fibre in pediatric metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)

Paige Cheveldayoff, MSc Candidate & Research Coordinator

Supervisors:
Dr. Nik Pai, Associate Clinical Professor, Pediatrics, McMaster University (Research Coordinator Supervisor)
Dr. Katherine Morrison, Professor, Pediatrics, McMaster University (MSc Supervisor)

Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is projected to become one of the leading causes of liver transplantation over the next 5 years, overtaking alcoholic liver disease and viral hepatitis. Soluble fibres have been shown to decrease hepatic fat content in adults and animal models, but the research has yet to be done in children. The FIND study is a 6 month, double blind, randomized controlled trial, that aims to examine the efficacy of soluble fibre supplementation on the treatment of pediatric MASLD.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the development of MASLD in a pediatric population. 
2. To begin to examine the effectiveness of a soluble fibre for the treatment of pediatric MASLD. 

Towards a Standardized Clinical Practice on Postnatal Steroids in Preterm Neonates

Dr. Amit Mukerji, Associate Professor, Pediatrics, McMaster University

Postnatal steroids are used in NICUs to facilitate extubation to non-invasive respiratory support. However, there is significant heterogeneity in their use, due to lack of individualized guidelines. We aim to implement a risk-based Standard Clinical Practice that will be consensus-based and evaluate the impact of this on clinical outcomes.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the rationale for use of postnatal steroids in NICUs.
2. The potential benefits and risks of postnatal steroids.
3. Recent evidence on individualized use that may optimize the risk-benefit. 

Development of a Resident-Led Wellness Curriculum for MacPeds

Dr. Prachi Shah, PGY2

Supervisor: Dr. Jacqueline Wong, Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, McMaster University

Throughout training medical residents manage a delicate balance between their dual roles as learners and as physicians. Resident well-being and wellness has been identified as a key component of a well-rounded training program for many years now. Our aim is to systematically utilize and incorporate resident input into the ongoing development and delivery of the McMaster Pediatric Residency Wellness Curriculum.

Consenting and Assenting Children & Families in Research

Elizabeth Gunn, Senior Research Advisor, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University
With Expert Panel & Contributions from:
Karen Beattie (Patient & Family Engagement in Research, Pediatric Rheumatology)
Redjana Carciumaru (Pediatric Emergency Medicine)
Paige Cheveldayoff (Centre for Metabolism, Obesity & Diabetes Research)
Heather Johnson (Neonatal Intensive Care)
Sherrie Orr (Pediatric Critical Care Medicine)
Sarah Wellman-Earl (CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research)
Shannon Pare (University of Guelph)
And others

Obtaining consent and assent for pediatric research requires careful consideration of ethical principles, developmental understanding, and family dynamics. This session will explore best practices for engaging children and their caregivers in the consent process across various research settings, including outpatient, inpatient, and neonatal intensive care units (NICU). We will also discuss the use of deferred consent in critical care research and strategies for ensuring families feel informed and supported in their decision-making. A panel of experts, including parent partners, will share real-world experiences and strategies to make the consent and assent process transparent, inclusive, and family-centered.

Syphilis in pregnancy and syphilis-exposed children evaluated at a regional maternal and child healthcare centre: A retrospective cohort study

Dr. Jennifer Butler, PGY2

Supervisor: Dr. Laura Erdman, Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, McMaster University

Rates of congenital syphilis are rising in Canada.   Families affected by syphilis are more likely to be impacted by the social determinants of health, which can in turn pose barriers to healthcare access. This retrospective cohort study aims to describe the experience of a regional maternal and child healthcare referral centre providing care for pregnant people with syphilis and syphilis-exposed children, and to identify barriers and facilitators to syphilis care in these populations.

Learning Objectives:
1. Review the rate of rise of congenital syphilis and syphilis in pregnancy in Canada and Ontario
2. Identify treatment of congenital syphilis and barriers to care

Unraveling the Risk: According to current literature, what are the risk factors for developing psychosis among individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome?

Dr. Alexandra Hul, PGY3

Supervisor: Dr. Elisabetta Trinari, Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, McMaster University

22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome is the most common microdeletion syndrome in humans, leading to multisystemic involvement. While the association between 22q11.2 DS and psychosis is well-documented, the reasons why some individuals with the syndrome develop psychosis and others do not is not as clear. This study is a scoping review aimed at identifying and categorizing risk factors associated with developing psychosis in those with 22q11.2 DS.

Learning Objectives:
1.    Identify the clinical features and multisystem involvement of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2 DS)
2.    Recognize the link between 22q11.2 DS and psychosis with an emphasis on impact on patient care
3.    Invite discussion on scoping review methodology as it pertains to the research question

Investigating the association between screen time and language development

Dr. Clara Moore, PGY2

Supervisor: Dr. Anne Fuller, Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, McMaster University

It has been shown that high screen time in childhood is associated with lower language skills, but better quality screen use, such as viewing educational programs or co-viewing with adults, have been associated with stronger language skills. Language development is impacted by other aspects of a child’s life rather than those solely related to screen time. There continues to be a paucity of literature examining whether factors unrelated to screen time, such as those related to child’s environment, can moderate the relationship between screen time and language development. 

Therefore, the objectives of this study are twofold:
1.    To understand the association between screen time and language development among Canadian children under the age of 6, and,
2.    To examine if protective factors unrelated to screen time such as, time spent reading to the child, degree of parent-child interaction or daycare participation, moderate this relationship