Background Virtual reality (VR) technology is a powerful tool for augmenting patient experience in pediatric settings. Incorporating the needs and values of stakeholders in the design of VR apps in health care can contribute to better outcomes and meaningful experiences for patients. Objective We used a multiperspective approach to investigate how VR apps can be designed to improve the periprocedural experiences of children and adolescents, particularly those with severe anxiety. Methods This study included a focus group (n=4) and a survey (n=56) of clinicians. Semistructured interviews were conducted with children and adolescents in an immunization clinic (n=3) and perioperative setting (n=65) and with parents and carers in an immunization clinic (n=3) and perioperative setting (n=35). Results Qualitative data were examined to determine the experience and psychological needs and intervention and design strategies that may contribute to better experiences for children in three age groups (4-7, 8-11, and 12-17 years). Quantitative data were used to identify areas of priority for future VR interventions. Conclusions We propose a set of ten design considerations for the creation of future VR experiences for pediatric patients. Enhancing patient experience may be achieved by combining multiple VR solutions through a holistic approach considering the roles of clinicians and carers and the temporality of the patient’s experience. These situations require personalized solutions to fulfill the needs of pediatric patients before and during the medical procedure. In particular, communication should be placed at the center of preprocedure solutions, while emotional goals can be embedded into a procedure-focused VR app to help patients shift their focus in a meaningful way to build skills to manage their anxiety.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS‐C) is considered a late manifestation of COVID-19 infection, and it is a diagnosis of exclusion after ruling out other causes of systemic inflammations. We present a case of MIS-C to highlight the importance of cardiac workup in MIS-C due to frequent cardiac involvement and discuss the possible association between retropharyngeal edema and MIS-C. The case patient is a 10-year-old previously healthy boy who presented with persistent fever, right-side neck pain, and a new rash. The rash was attributed to recent amoxicillin use by his parents. Pertinent workups included elevated inflammatory markers, a benign electrocardiogram test, a negative urine analysis, blood culture, and retropharyngeal edema by computerized tomography. On day four of hospitalization, the patient failed to improve with broad-spectrum antibiotics and became tachycardic. A repeat echocardiogram revealed a decreased ejection fraction with mitral valve regurgitation. The cardiac finding, the skin finding, the persistent fever, and the initial negative workups fulfilled the case criteria for MIS-C. A positive test for anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain antibodies confirmed the diagnosis, and the patient improved with intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) and steroids. The retropharyngeal edema was thought to be coincidental; however, there seem to be frequent associations between MIS-C and retropharyngeal edema, suggesting that the retropharyngeal edema could be one of the initial manifestations of MIS-C. More study is needed to study the association between retropharyngeal edema and MIS-C and shed light on the diagnosis and medical management of MIS-C.

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BACKGROUND Virtual reality (VR) technology is a powerful tool for augmenting patient experience in pediatric settings. Incorporating the needs and values of stakeholders in the design of VR apps in health care can contribute to better outcomes and meaningful experiences for patients. OBJECTIVE We used a multiperspective approach to investigate how VR apps can be designed to improve the periprocedural experiences of children and adolescents, particularly those with severe anxiety. METHODS This study included a focus group (n=4) and a survey (n=56) of clinicians. Semistructured interviews were conducted with children and adolescents in an immunization clinic (n=3) and perioperative setting (n=65) and with parents and carers in an immunization clinic (n=3) and perioperative setting (n=35). RESULTS Qualitative data were examined to determine the experience and psychological needs and intervention and design strategies that may contribute to better experiences for children in three age groups (4-7, 8-11, and 12-17 years). Quantitative data were used to identify areas of priority for future VR interventions. CONCLUSIONS We propose a set of ten design considerations for the creation of future VR experiences for pediatric patients. Enhancing patient experience may be achieved by combining multiple VR solutions through a holistic approach considering the roles of clinicians and carers and the temporality of the patient’s experience. These situations require personalized solutions to fulfill the needs of pediatric patients before and during the medical procedure. In particular, communication should be placed at the center of preprocedure solutions, while emotional goals can be embedded into a procedure-focused VR app to help patients shift their focus in a meaningful way to build skills to manage their anxiety.