Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in schools are essential to reduce infectious disease transmission, including that of COVID-19. This study aimed to establish a baseline of WASH services in six public elementary schools in Guatemala, with a focus on hand hygiene. We used the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) report indicators to assess the WASH infrastructure at each school. We collected water samples from easily accessible water points (pilas, or bathroom sinks) at each school to test for the presence of total coliforms and E. coli. In-depth interviews were carried out with teachers to understand hand hygiene practices and systems at school. Results indicate that all schools had water available at the time of the survey. All water samples at four schools tested positive for total coliforms and at one school, positive for E. coli. All schools had sanitation facilities, but services were limited. Only 43% of handwashing stations at schools had soap available. No school had disability-inclusive WASH services. Financial constraints and a lack of appropriate WASH infrastructure were the main barriers reported by teachers to meet hand hygiene needs at school. Appropriate access to WASH infrastructure and supplies could increase hand hygiene practices and improve learning conditions for students.

Background: Decision-making in selecting second-line therapies for pediatric patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) has not been studied. Using data collected from physicians experienced in treating ITP, we developed a conceptual model of factors that informed treatment choice. This study was a component of ICON1, a prospective, observational, longitudinal cohort study of second line treatments for childhood ITP performed by the Pediatric ITP Consortium of North America (ICON).

Data on second‐line treatment options for pediatric patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) are limited. Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO‐RA) provide a nonimmunosuppressive option for children who require an increased platelet count.

Background: Children with ITP who are prescribedsecond line treatments vary in terms of their clinical phenotype, prior treatments, and health related quality of life (HRQoL).

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients with similarly low platelet counts differ in their tendency to bleed. To determine if differences in platelet function in ITP patients account for this variation in bleeding tendency, we conducted a single-center, cross-sectional study of pediatric patients with ITP. Bleeding severity (assessed by standardized bleeding score) and platelet function (assessed by whole blood flow cytometry) with and without agonist stimulation was evaluated in 57 ITP patients (median age, 9.9 years). After adjustment for platelet count, higher levels of thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP)-stimulated percent P-selectin- and activated glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa-positive platelets were significantly associated with a lower bleeding score, whereas higher levels of immature platelet fraction (IPF), TRAP-stimulated platelet surface CD42b, unstimulated platelet surface P-selectin, and platelet forward light scatter (FSC) were associated with a higher bleeding score. Thus, platelet function tests related to platelet age (IPF, FSC) and activation through the protease activated receptor 1 (PAR1) thrombin receptor (TRAP-stimulated P-selectin, activated GPIIb-IIIa, and CD42b), independent of platelet count, are associated with concurrent bleeding severity in ITP. These tests may be useful markers of future bleeding risk in ITP.

Background Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients with similarly low platelet counts differ in their tendency to bleed. Aim To determine if differences in platelet function in ITP patients with similarly low platelet counts partly account for the variation in bleeding tendency. Methods The relationship between bleeding scores and platelet function markers was investigated in a single center cross-sectional study of pediatric patients with ITP. Following informed consent, blood was collected from ITP patients and bleeding was graded using the Buchanan and Adix Score (J Pediatr 2002) at routine clinic visits or while admitted to the hospital. Bleeding scores were obtained by one of three hematologists blinded to platelet function results, and investigators performing platelet function tests were blinded to clinical results. Platelet function was assessed by whole blood flow cytometric measurement of unstimulated, ADP- or TRAP-stimulated platelet surface activated GPIIb-IIIa (as measured by PAC1 binding), P-selectin, and GPIb and by unstimulated, convulxin-, or ADP plus TRAP-stimulated platelet surface phosphatidylserine expression (as determined by annexin V binding). Platelet count, immature platelet fraction (IPF) and mean platelet volume (MPV) were determined by a Sysmex XE-2100, and platelet forward angle light scatter (FSC) was measured by flow cytometry. Results Platelet function and bleeding scores were evaluated in 34 consecutive consenting pediatric ITP patients (16 female, 18 male, age 9.7 ± 5.7 years [mean ± SD]). ITP was newly diagnosed ( 12 months) in 17 patients. Platelet count at the time of the blood draw was 47 ± 55 x 109/L. The median bleeding score on day of blood draw was 1 (range 0 to 4). By univariate analysis, higher IPF, and lower platelet count were significantly associated with a higher bleeding score (odds ratio [OR] >1, p 1, p Conclusions In this study of pediatric ITP patients, we identified selected platelet function markers which, independent of platelet count, are associated with increased (platelet FSC, platelet surface P-selectin on unstimulated platelets, and GPIb on TRAP-stimulated platelets) or decreased (TRAP-stimulated percent P-selectin and GPIIb-IIIa positive platelets) odds of high bleeding scores. Possible hypotheses to explain these associations are as follows: 1) Increased P-selectin on unstimulated platelets demonstrates in vivo platelet activation, possibly as a consequence of the recent bleeding. 2) Because platelet activation results in a reduction in platelet surface GPIb and increases in platelet surface activated GPIIb-IIIa and P-selectin, the ORs associated with all of these markers could be explained by reduced ability of platelets in patients with higher bleeding scores to respond to agonists. 3) While platelet FSC is partly related to size, the finding that MPV and IPF, adjusted for platelet count, were not associated with bleeding score suggests that factors other than size account for the association of platelet FSC with higher bleeding scores. Further study is required to validate these findings and determine if differences in platelet function are associated with future risk for bleeding. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Eltrombopag was given to WAS/XLT patients for treatment of thrombocytopenia. Neufeld:Shire: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Apopharma: Consultancy. Michelson:Sysmex: Honoraria.