Dr. Gumbiner studies various conditions affecting children's heart health, especially those post-heart transplant. His research highlights how infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders impact infants and young children differently than older patients after receiving heart transplants. Additionally, he explores treatments for acute conditions like severe iron poisoning, assessing how certain medications can lead to recovery in critical situations. Furthermore, he evaluates cost-effective methods for diagnosing heart murmurs in children, ensuring that families receive timely and appropriate care.
Key findings
Infants who had heart transplants before one year of age had significantly higher rates of severe infections at 2.04 cases per 10 years and chronic infections at 4.58 cases per 10 years compared to older children, who had rates of 0.37 and 1.87 cases, respectively.
Eighteen percent of infants who received heart transplants developed autoimmune disorders, indicating a need for long-term monitoring.
A 22-month-old boy treated for severe iron poisoning with a specific dose of deferoxamine fully recovered after experiencing dangerously high iron levels of 2992 mumol/L, previously linked to high mortality.
The study comparing evaluation methods for heart murmurs in children found that starting with an echocardiogram costs about $257 more than consulting a cardiologist first.
Among 80 patients followed, 'screw-in' myoepicardial pacemaker leads showed better long-term performance, with many functioning reliably after 1-5 years compared to 'stab-on' leads, which had a failure rate of less than 0.001.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Gumbiner study heart transplants in children?
Yes, Dr. Gumbiner focuses on health outcomes and complications for children who have received heart transplants.
What treatments has Dr. Gumbiner researched for iron poisoning?
He has researched the use of deferoxamine, a medication that helps remove excess iron, which can be lifesaving in severe poisoning cases.
Is Dr. Gumbiner's work relevant to pediatric heart conditions?
Absolutely, his research provides important insights into managing heart murmurs and pacemaker treatments in children, directly benefiting their healthcare.
What are the complications Dr. Gumbiner found for infants after heart transplants?
He found that infants have a higher incidence of severe infections and are at risk for autoimmune disorders, which are critical for long-term care planning.
How does Dr. Gumbiner's research help children with heart murmurs?
His studies identify the most cost-effective methods for evaluating heart murmurs, ensuring children receive the best and timely diagnostic care.
Publications in plain English
Infectious, malignant, and autoimmune complications in pediatric heart transplant recipients.
2008
The Journal of pediatrics
Kulikowska A, Boslaugh SE, Huddleston CB, Gandhi SK, Gumbiner C +1 more
Plain English This study looked at the health outcomes of children who received heart transplants, specifically focusing on infections, and autoimmune diseases five years after the surgery. It found that infants who had transplants before one year of age experienced significantly higher rates of severe (2.04 cases per 10 years) and chronic infections (4.58 cases per 10 years) compared to older children, who had much lower rates (0.37 and 1.87 cases, respectively). Additionally, 18% of the infants developed autoimmune disorders, highlighting a new area of concern for long-term care in these patients.
Who this helps: This information benefits doctors and healthcare providers caring for heart transplant patients, helping them to better manage and monitor possible complications.
Survival after a severe iron poisoning treated with intermittent infusions of deferoxamine.
1995
Journal of toxicology. Clinical toxicology
Cheney K, Gumbiner C, Benson B, Tenenbein M
Plain English This study looked at a 22-month-old boy who ingested a large amount of iron and had extreme iron levels of 2992 mumol/L, which has previously been associated with death. He experienced severe complications but was successfully treated with a specific dose of deferoxamine and other intensive care measures, leading to his full recovery. This case shows that survival is possible even after very high iron poisoning, which could change how doctors treat similar cases in the future.
Who this helps: This helps children with iron poisoning and their families.
Cost assessment of the evaluation of heart murmurs in children.
1993
Pediatrics
Danford DA, Nasir A, Gumbiner C
Plain English This study looked at two different ways to evaluate heart murmurs in children: using echocardiograms right away or first sending the child to a cardiologist for evaluation. The researchers found that starting with an echocardiogram costs about $257 more than going through a cardiologist first. This is important because it helps decide the best and most cost-effective method for diagnosing potential heart issues in children.
Who this helps: This benefits children who have heart murmurs and their healthcare providers.
Comparison of two myoepicardial pacemaker leads: follow-up in 80 children, adolescents, and young adults.
1988
Pacing and clinical electrophysiology : PACE
Kugler J, Monsour W, Blodgett C, Cheatham J, Gumbiner C +3 more
Plain English This study looked at two types of heart leads used to help control heart rhythm in young patients, focusing on their long-term performance. Researchers followed 80 patients and found that the "screw-in" leads (6917-35) worked better over time, with a significant number still functioning after 1-5 years compared to the "stab-on" leads (4951-35), which showed more failures (less than 0.001). This is important because choosing the right type of lead can help ensure better heart health and fewer complications for young patients.
Who this helps: This helps patients with heart issues and their doctors by informing lead choice for pacemaker implants.