Bioterrorism Attacks Involving Pediatric Patients: Preparedness and Early Recognition Are Critical (Pharmacology CME)

Bioterrorism Attacks Involving Pediatric Patients: Preparedness and Early Recognition Are Critical (Pharmacology CME) is organized by EB Medicine.

Date of Original Release: December 1, 2018
Date of most recent review:  November 15, 2018
Termination date:  December 1, 2021.

CME Expiration Date: January 1, 2022

Accreditation:
Credit Designation: EB Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Specialty CME: Included as part of the 4 credits, this CME activity is eligible for 4 Infectious Disease CME and 1.5 Pharmacology CME credits, subject to your state and institutional approval.

ACEP Accreditation: Pediatric Emergency Medicine Practice is also approved by the American College of Emergency Physicians for 48 hours of ACEP Category I credit per annual subscription.

AAP Accreditation: This continuing medical education activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and is acceptable for a maximum of 48 AAP credits per year. These credits can be applied toward the AAP CME/CPD Award available to Fellows and Candidate Fellows of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

AOA Accreditation: Pediatric Emergency Medicine Practice is eligible for up to 48 American Osteopathic Association Category 2-A or 2-B credit hours per year.

About This Issue:
Due to their anatomic, physiologic, developmental, and behavioral characteristics, children are particularly vulnerable to bioterrorism agents. The symptoms associated with most bioterrorism agents can be difficult to differentiate from common childhood illnesses, as most biological weapons are associated with clinical presentations that mimic nonspecific febrile illnesses. It is extremely important that emergency clinicians are able to recognize unusual illness patterns that could distinguish a natural outbreak from a bioterrorism attack. This issue reviews the highest-risk bioterrorism agents and provides guidance for diagnosing and managing pediatric patients who have been exposed to these agents. You will learn:
• Which pediatric-specific characteristics make children more vulnerable to bioterrorism agents
• How to distinguish a natural disease outbreak from a bioterrorism attack
• Where to find online resources that can provide support during a bioterrorism crisis
• Common presentations associated with the CDC Category A bioterrorism agents: anthrax (Bacillus anthracis), botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin), plague (Yersinia pestis), smallpox (Variola major), tularemia (Francisella tularensis), viral hemorrhagic fevers (filoviruses [eg, Ebola, Marburg] and arenaviruses [eg, Lassa, Machupo])
• Preferred treatment and postexposure prophylaxis for children who have been exposed to Category A bioterrorism agents

Abstract:
Due to their anatomic, physiologic, developmental, and behavioral characteristics, children are particularly vulnerable to bioterrorism agents. Symptoms associated with most bioterrorism agents can be difficult to differentiate from common childhood illnesses. It is extremely important that emergency clinicians are able to recognize unusual illness patterns that could distinguish a natural outbreak from a bioterrorism attack. Resources available through government agencies and leading pediatric organizations can aid in diagnosis and treatment. This issue reviews the highest-risk bioterrorism agents and provides guidance for diagnosing and managing pediatric patients who have been exposed to these agents.

Goals: 
Upon completion of this activity, you should be able to: 
• Demonstrate medical decision-making based on the strongest clinical evidence; 
• Cost-effectively diagnose and treat the most critical ED presentations; and
• Describe the most common medicolegal pitfalls for each topic covered.

Objectives:
Upon completion of this article, you should be able to:
• Discuss the Category A bioterrorism agents and their clinical presentations in pediatric patients
• Describe the treatment and prophylaxis recommendations for Category A bioterrorism agents
• Discuss the public health reporting recommendations for Category A bioterrorism agents