Journal of Tropical Pediatrics最新文献

Undergraduates are trained in the basic neonatal resuscitation programme (NRP) and evaluated for skill acquisition by NRP performance evaluation test (PET). Video use improves the validity of assessment when video-information adequacy, intrusiveness to students, and educational purpose are adequately balanced. We evaluated whether there was a difference between instructor's real-time assessment and video-based assessment done by another independent assessor using videos recorded via the SimCapture application. Undergraduates were trained in basic neonatal resuscitation and were evaluated at the end for skill acquisition by PET as a part of a randomized control trial (RCT). Video recording of the PET assessment was done with the SimCapture app. Independent assessors evaluated recorded videos to evaluate and validate real-time instructor performance evaluation time assessments. We conducted an agreement study to evaluate the difference between a real-time instructor and video assessments. We trained 143 students; 139 videos were evaluated. The Bland-Altman plot showed good agreement. For the post-test result, 66 (47.5%) passed, and 73 (52.5%) failed according to the real-time assessment, while 61 (43.8%) passed and 78 (56.1%) failed according to the video assessment. The agreement between the two assessments was 94.9%, with a kappa value of 0.898. Indicating the need for positive pressure ventilation (PPV), 138 (99.3%) did correctly in real-time assessment, while 133 (95.6%) did correctly in video assessment with agreement of 96.4% but low kappa of 0.27. We conclude that the instructors' assessment was excellent and didn't differ from assessments obtained from recorded videos and vice-versa.

In this study, we aimed to determine an ordinary/empiric/standard phototherapy treatment protocol for duration without controlling total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels after initiating phototherapy in early-term and full-term jaundiced newborns who had no hyperbilirubinemia neurotoxicity risk factors. We compared two groups, each receiving either 24 h (Group I) or 18 h (Group II) of continuous phototherapy in terms of demographic characteristics and efficacy (rate of decrease in TSB levels with phototherapy). No control TSB measurements were performed in the study groups until the end of phototherapy for the predetermined durations. Declines in TSB after phototherapy were significantly greater in Group I than in Group II, both in terms of mg/dl (11.81 ± 2.93 mg/dl vs. 10.75 ± 2.48 mg/dl, P = .0008) and percentage (56.71 ± 9.06% vs. 52.86 ± 8.37%, P = .0002). However, the rate of TSB reduction after phototherapy in mg/dl/h (0.59 ± 0.13 mg/dl/h vs. 0.49 ± 0.12 mg/dl/h, P = <.0001) and percentage per hour (2.93 ± 0.37% vs. 2.36 ± 0.46%, P = <.0001) were significantly higher in Group II than in Group I. This indicates an inverse time-response relationship between the duration of phototherapy and the response rate in the study groups. Although the 24-h phototherapy course showed greater efficacy concerning the primary bilirubin outcome measures (decline in TSB in mg/dl and %), the 18-h course of phototherapy treatment provided better hourly outcomes and reached its saturation point around the 18th hour. Therefore, an 18-h phototherapy without TSB monitoring until the end of the phototherapy should be considered for jaundiced newborns lacking neurotoxicity risk factors.

This study explored the clinical characteristics of Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) pneumonia in children and the risk factors for severe C. trachomatis pneumonia. This retrospective case-control study included children with C. trachomatis pneumonia who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University (Xiamen, China) between January 2018 and December 2021. Among 117 children, 33 (28.2%) had severe C. trachomatis pneumonia and 84 children had mild-to-moderate C. trachomatis pneumonia. According to the results of the binary logistic regression analysis, congenital heart disease [odds ratio (OR) = 0.09, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01-0.74, P-value = .024], mixed infection (OR = 0.17, 95%CI: 0.05-0.51, P-value = .002), white blood cell count greater than 15 000 cells/dl (OR = 1.20, 95%CI: 1.03-1.40, P-value = .022), and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) (OR = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.02-1.26, P-value = .016) were found as independent predictive factors for severe C. trachomatis pneumonia in children. This study explored key risk factors for severe C. trachomatis pneumonia, a condition underreported in tropical regions where pediatric respiratory infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. By identifying risk factors, such as congenital heart disease, mixed infections, and elevated PaCO2, this research may guide early intervention strategies in resource-limited settings, potentially reducing pediatric pneumonia deaths.

Candidemia is emerging as a significant concern in children, particularly among those with underlying conditions like malignancies or prematurity. The interpretation of epidemiological data on candidemias and their antifungal resistance plays a vital role in aiding diagnosis and guiding clinicians in treatment decisions. From 2014 to 2021, a retrospective analysis was conducted in İstanbul, Turkey; comparing Candida albicans and non-albicans (NAC) spp in both surviving and deceased groups. Furthermore, an examination of Candida parapsilosis and other species was performed, assessing various clinical and laboratory parameters. Among 93 patients, with a median age of 17 months, C. parapsilosis emerged as the predominant isolated species (44%), followed by C. albicans (34.4%). Resistance to fluconazole, voricanozole, and echinocandins, along with a history of broad-spectrum antibiotic use were found to be significantly higher in the non-albicans Candida group compared to C. albicans group. In the C. parapsilosis group, statistically lower age was identified in comparison to the other groups (P = .018). In addition, high fluconazole and voriconazole resistance was detected in Candida parapsilosis spp. Our study highlights a notable prevalence of C. parapsilosis, particularly in younger children, which is different from similar studies in childhood. This trend may be attributed to the common use of total parenteral nutrition and central venous catheter in gastrointestinal disorders and metabolic diseases. Furthermore, as anticipated, high azole resistance is noted in C. parapsilosis and other non-albicans Candida species. Interestingly, resistance to both amphotericin B and echinocandins within this group has been notably high. It is crucial to emphasize the considerable antifungal resistance seen in C. parapsilosis isolates.

Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a major cause of mortality and neurodevelopmental disability, especially in low-income countries. While therapeutic hypothermia has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality in infants with HIE, some clinical trials in low-income countries have reported an increase in the risk of mortality. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials conducted in low-income and lower-middle-income countries that compared cooling therapy with standard care for HIE. Our primary outcome was composite of neonatal mortality and neurodevelopmental disability at 6 months or beyond. The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022352728). Our review included 11 randomized controlled trials with 1324 infants with HIE. The composite of death or disability at 6 months or beyond was lower in therapeutic hypothermia group (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.66-0.92, I2 = 85%). Neonatal mortality rate did not differ significantly between cooling therapy and standard care (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.76-1.13, I2 = 61%). Additionally, the cooled group exhibited significantly lower rates of neurodevelopmental disability at or beyond 6 months (RR 0.34, 95%CI 0.22-0.52, I2 = 0%). Our analysis found that neonatal mortality rate did not differ between cooled and noncooled infants in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Cooling may have a beneficial effect on neurodevelopmental disability and the composite of death or disability at 6 months or beyond.

Extreme levels of bilirubin in newborn is a major cause of lifelong neurodevelopmental impairment, which places a financial burden on healthcare resources and caregivers. To determine the incidence, aetiology and short-term outcomes of extreme hyperbilirubinaemia in term infants born in a resource-limited setting. This is a retrospective observational study looking at term neonates with a birth weight ≥2500 g, born in the Western health subdistrict of Cape Town, South Africa, between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2020, who were exposed to a serum bilirubin level of ≥430 μmol/L in the first week of life and received care in the public health system. Extreme hyperbilirubinaemia occurred in 59 term infants. The incidence was 74 cases per 100 000 (<0.01%) live births equating to 1 case in every 1345 live births. The cause of hyperbilirubinaemia was identified in 51 of the cases (86%), the most common being ABO incompatibility (31/51, 61%), followed by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (11/51, 22%). Twelve infants (20 %) underwent an exchange transfusion. Six infants were encephalopathic. Forty-seven infants (80%) were readmitted after initial post-natal discharge, with a mean age of readmission of 113 h old (SD 31 h). The incidence of extreme hyperbilirubinaemia in the Western health subdistrict of Cape Town is higher than in high-income settings. Further work should focus on training of healthcare workers and education of caregivers, for the early detection of significant hyperbilirubinaemia to prevent neurological complications caused by bilirubin toxicity.

Maternal thiamine deficiency is prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. Thiamine-responsive pulmonary hypertension (TRPHTN) in exclusively breastfed infants is reported in India. Thiamine transporter gene (ThTR) variations have not been studied. This study compared the presentation of exclusively breastfed infants with respiratory distress diagnosed as TRPHTN or acute respiratory infection (ARI). We investigated pathogenic variations in the SLC19A2 and SLC19A3 ThTr genes in a representative sample. Observational study. Tertiary care pediatric unit of a teaching hospital in southern India. Data collection was prospective. We included exclusively breastfed infants between 1 and 6 months of age with respiratory distress. Infants with PHTN in echocardiography and lactic acidosis (LA) received thiamine. TRPHTN was diagnosed based on response within 72 h. Infants with fever, chest findings, and positive microbiology were managed as ARI. The ThTr genes were sequenced and analyzed. Chi-square and stratified analysis were done to determine TRPHTN risk. Forty infants with TRPHTN and 42 with ARI were included. The median pulmonary arterial pressure in the TRPHTN group was 51.5 mmHg. Mild PHTN was seen in 65%, moderate in 22.5%, and severe in 12.5%. Cardiac failure (P < .001), stridor and aphonia (P < .001), encephalopathy (P = .024), LA (P < .001), and PHTN (P <.001) facilitated the diagnosis. The adjusted risk was 17.3 (95% confidence interval 7.8-38.3; P <.001). The ThTR sequencing showed wild-type genotypes. TRPHTN has a distinct, identifiable presentation. Lactate and pulmonary pressure estimations are useful investigations in thiamine deficiency endemic areas. We could not demonstrate a genetic variation that determines susceptibility.

Scrub typhus meningoencephalitis (STME) is an uncommon but fatal complication of scrub typhus that requires extra diligence in early identification and treatment. The goal of this study was to look at the clinical characteristics, laboratory results, and outcome of STME in children. A retrospective study was conducted in the paediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India between April 2021 and September 2022. It was carried out in children aged 1 month-12 years. Sixteen children were diagnosed with STME out of 75 acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) cases. The male-to-female ratio was 3:1, with a mean age of 4.28 ± 3.36 years. All the children hailed from rural areas. Fever (100%), convulsions (87.5), altered sensorium (93.75%), nuchal stiffness (25%), vomiting (75%), pallor (75%), and hepatomegaly (50%) were the most prevalent clinical manifestations. The average duration of fever upon presentation was 8.25 ± 2.11 days and the average length of hospital stay was 9.00 ± 4.59 days. The complications encountered were shock (3), interstitial pneumonia (1), myocarditis (1), raised intracranial pressure (1), and right-sided hemiplegia (1). Fifteen children recovered completely, whereas one child suffered from residual right-sided neurodeficit. A high index of suspicion needs to be maintained for STME as a possible AES entity, as anti-scrub measures administered promptly can go a long way in mitigating the related morbidity and mortality especially in resource-constrained settings.

With technological advancement, neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) have become noisier than ever. Studies have shown the detrimental effects of increasing noise in NICU on growing pre-term and sick neonates. The present study aimed primarily to compare the amount of noise in NICUs of private and government hospitals. The secondary aim was to compare the strategies adopted by these hospitals to control the detrimental effects of noise on newborns. A detailed noise survey was conducted in the NICUs of two private and two government hospitals in the Jodhpur district, India. The noise survey was performed for a duration of 48 h using "Sound Ear 3-300" noise meters. The analyses were measured in Leq (equivalent continuous sound level) A-weighted decibels (dBA). The extracted data analysis revealed that the noise measured was in the range of 61.62-82.32 dBA in four NICUs of the district. The results also revealed a statistically significant difference between the NICU noise of private and government hospitals. The levels of alarming sounds differed between the hospitals with a general trend of lesser alarming sounds in private hospitals. The major differences in strategies adopted were that both private hospitals had a protocol to purposely reduce levels of alarming sounds when heard, and purposely limited the number of staff present in certain areas of the NICU, which were correlated with reduced sound compared to the government hospitals. Strategies like these require no additional cost to make drastic changes in the average noise measured.