Browsing by Author "Conroy, Andrea"

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    Neurofilament Light Chain: A potential biomarker for cerebrovascular disease in children with sickle cell anemia
    (Wiley, 2023) Green, Nancy S.; Rosano, Caterina; Bangirana, Paul; Opoka, Robert; Munube, Deogratias; Kasirye, Philip; Kawooya, Michael; Lubowa, Samson K.; Mupere, Ezekiel; Conroy, Andrea; Minja, Frank J.; Boehme, Amelia K.; Kang, Min Suk; Honig, Lawrence S.; Idro, Richard; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Cerebrovascular injury frequently occurs in children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA). Limited access to magnetic resonance imaging and angiography (MRI-MRA) in sub-Saharan Africa impedes detection of clinically unapparent cerebrovascular injury. Blood-based brain biomarkers of cerebral infarcts have been identified in non-SCA adults. Using plasma samples from a well-characterized cross-sectional sample of Ugandan children with SCA, we explored relationships between biomarker levels and MRI-detected cerebral infarcts and transcranial Doppler (TCD) arterial velocity. Testing was performed using a 4-plex panel of brain injury biomarkers, including neurofilament light chain (NfL), a central nervous system neuron-specific protein. Mean biomarker levels from the SCA group (n = 81) were similar to those from non-SCA sibling controls (n = 54). Within the SCA group, NfL levels were significantly higher in those with MRI-detected infarcts compared to no infarcts, and higher with elevated TCD velocity versus normal velocity. Elevated NfL remained strongly associated with MRI-detected infarcts after adjusting for sex and age. All non-SCA controls and SCA participants lacking MRI-detected infarcts had low NfL levels. These data suggest potential utility of plasma-based NfL levels to identify children with SCA cerebrovascular injury. Replication and prospective studies are needed to confirm these novel findings and the clinical utility of NfL versus MRI imaging.
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    Pediatric AKI in the real world: changing outcomes through education and advocacy-a report from the 26th Acute Disease Quality Initiative (ADQI) consensus conference
    (Springer, 2024) Mottes, Theresa; Menon, Shina; Conroy, Andrea; Jetton, Jennifer; Dolan, Kristin; Arikan, Ayse Akcan; Basu, Rajit K.; Goldstein, Stuart L.; Symons, Jordan M.; Alobaid, Rashid; Askenazi, David J.; Bagshaw, Sean M.; Barhight, Matthew; Barreto, Erin; Bayrakci, Benan; Bignall, O. N., II; Bjornstad, Erica; Brophy, Patrick; Charlton, Jennifer; Chanchlani, Rahul; Conroy, Andrea L.; Deep, Akash; Devarajan, Prasad; Fuhrman, Dana; Gist, Katja M.; Gorga, Stephen M.; Greenberg, Jason H.; Hasson, Denise; Heydari, Emma; Iyengar, Arpana; Krawczeski, Catherine; Meigs, Leslie; Morgan, Catherine; Morgan, Jolyn; Neumayr, Tara; Ricci, Zaccaria; Selewski, David T.; Soranno, Danielle; Stanski, Natalja; Starr, Michelle; Sutherland, Scott M.; Symons, Jordan; Tavares, Marcelo; Vega, Molly; Zappitelli, Michael; Ronco, Claudio; Mehta, Ravindra L.; Kellum, John; Ostermann, Marlies; ADQI 26 workgroup; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is independently associated with increased morbidity and mortality across the life course, yet care for AKI remains mostly supportive. Raising awareness of this life-threatening clinical syndrome through education and advocacy efforts is the key to improving patient outcomes. Here, we describe the unique roles education and advocacy play in the care of children with AKI, discuss the importance of customizing educational outreach efforts to individual groups and contexts, and highlight the opportunities created through innovations and partnerships to optimize lifelong health outcomes. Methods: During the 26th Acute Disease Quality Initiative (ADQI) consensus conference, a multidisciplinary group of experts discussed the evidence and used a modified Delphi process to achieve consensus on recommendations on AKI research, education, practice, and advocacy in children. Results: The consensus statements developed in response to three critical questions about the role of education and advocacy in pediatric AKI care are presented here along with a summary of available evidence and recommendations for both clinical care and research. Conclusions: These consensus statements emphasize that high-quality care for patients with AKI begins in the community with education and awareness campaigns to identify those at risk for AKI. Education is the key across all healthcare and non-healthcare settings to enhance early diagnosis and develop mitigation strategies, thereby improving outcomes for children with AKI. Strong advocacy efforts are essential for implementing these programs and building critical collaborations across all stakeholders and settings.