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Introduction: Raised serum ferritin levels often indicate iron overload, but they are not specific as the levels are elevated in inflammatory disorders, liver diseases, alcohol excess, or malignancy. If regular transfusions are required for the patient with thalassemia, this doubles the rate of iron accumulation leading to earlier massive iron overload and iron-related damage. The aim of this study aimed to find out the prevalence of high serum ferritin levels among blood-transfused thalassemic patients admitted to the Department of Paediatrics in a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care centre from 1 March 2022 to 31 December 2022. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 078/79-017/HG). Children who were confirmed by haemoglobin electrophoresis on regular blood transfusion were included in the study. Those who did not gave consent were excluded from the study. Convenience sampling method was used. Point estimate and 90% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Out of 53 cases, the prevalence of high serum ferritin level was seen in 46 (88.79%) (80.30-97.28, 95% Confidence Interval). Among 46, 34 (73.91%) had serum ferritin levels of more than 1000 to 2500 ng/ml whereas 12 (26.09%) had more than 25000 ng/ml. Conclusions: The prevalence of high serum ferritin levels among blood transfused thalassemic patients admitted to the Department of Paediatrics in a tertiary care centre was found to be higher than in other studies done in similar settings. Keywords: blood transfusion; ferritin; thalassemia.

Asunto(s)

Sobrecarga de Hierro , Pediatría , Talasemia , Talasemia beta , Humanos , Niño , Estudios Transversales , Centros de Atención Terciaria , Hierro , Talasemia/epidemiología , Talasemia/terapia , Sobrecarga de Hierro/patología , Ferritinas

RESUMEN

Introduction: Preterm birth, one of the leading causes of admissions to the Neonatal intensive care unit, is a major contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of premature neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary care centre. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from clinical records of preterm neonates (born before 37 completed weeks of gestation) admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit from 16 July 2020 to 14 July 2021. Following ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 077/78-018), the patient's clinical characteristics and systemic morbidities were recorded. Convenience sampling was done. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Among 646 admissions, the prevalence of preterm neonates was found to be 147 (22.75%) (19.52-25.98, 95% Confidence Interval). The male: female ratio was 1.53:1. The median gestational age and birth weight were 33 weeks (Range: 24-36 weeks) and 1680 g respectively. A total of 73 (49.65%) delivery was followed by premature rupture of membrane. The morbidity due to respiratory problems was highest at 127 (86.39%), followed by metabolic at 104 (70.74%) and sepsis at 91 (61.90%). The renal system was the least affected 5 (3.40%). Conclusions: The prevalence of preterm neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit was higher than in other studies done in similar settings. Keywords: morbidity; neonatal; neonatal intensive care unit; premature birth.

Asunto(s)

Complicaciones del Embarazo , Nacimiento Prematuro , Embarazo , Recién Nacido , Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Unidades de Cuidado Intensivo Neonatal , Estudios Transversales , Centros de Atención Terciaria , Estudios Retrospectivos

RESUMEN

Fulminant myocarditis is a life-threatening clinical condition. It is the inflammation of myocardium leading to acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrhythmias. Incidence of fulminant myocarditis is low and mortality is high. Most grievous complications of fulminant myocarditis is mainly cardiac arrhythmias; if there is delay on active management of the patient, it may be fatal. Here, we describe a case of III° atrioventricular block due to fulminant myocarditis that was managed with non-invasive transcutaneous cardiac pacing in the absence of ECMO. The non-invasive transcutaneous pacemaker is a safe, effective and convenient device to revert arrhythmias.

RESUMEN

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common virus in humans and the most common causative agent of Infectious Mononucleosis. EBV primary infection has recently risen in some countries and children below 2 years of age are highly susceptible. The clinical manifestations in children with EB virus infection involve multiple systems, causing severe illness, meaning attention should be paid during diagnosis and treatment. Objective:  This single institution based retrospective study was carried out with the aim of estimating the overall prevalence of EBV infection and identifying high-risk age group among children.  Methods: This study include total 253 patients under 15 years of age found to be  positive for EBV DNA by PCR who were admitted to the Pediatrics Department of Renmin Hospital,(Shiyan, China) during a 4-year period from 2014 to 2017. Patients were divided into three groups; 0-<4years, 4-<6years and 6-<15years. We then calculated the percentage and prevalence of EBV DNA-positive cases. Results: The yearly EBV prevalence rate was 4.99 per 1000 admissions in 2014, 6.97 per 1000 admissions in 2015, 10.42 per 1000 admissions in 2016, and 12.16 per 1000 admissions in 2017. Out of 253 EBV-positive cases, those under 4 years had the highest rate of EBV infection (74.7%). The rate drops to 11.06% in the 4-6 years group, and was 14.22% in the 6-15 years group. Those between 6 months and 1 year are those at the highest risk.  Conclusion: The rate of hospital admission of children due to EBV infection is increasing day by day. Children under 4 years of age are highly susceptible to infection and children of age between 6 months and 1 year are the high-risk group for EBV infection.

Asunto(s)

Infecciones por Virus de Epstein-Barr/epidemiología , Infecciones por Virus de Epstein-Barr/virología , Herpesvirus Humano 4 , Adolescente , Factores de Edad , Niño , Preescolar , China/epidemiología , ADN Viral , Infecciones por Virus de Epstein-Barr/diagnóstico , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Mononucleosis Infecciosa/diagnóstico , Mononucleosis Infecciosa/epidemiología , Mononucleosis Infecciosa/virología , Masculino , Admisión del Paciente , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Vigilancia de la Población , Prevalencia , Estudios Retrospectivos

RESUMEN

Bronchial foreign body obstruction is common in all clinical settings. Obstruction of the airway due to foreign bodies and foreign body aspiration are major causes of childhood mortality and morbidity, which are a big challenge to manage. Occasionally, bronchial obstruction may be due to mucus plugs or other endogenous factors. Here we describe a case of bronchial obstruction caused by mucus plug formation that was managed conservatively in a one-year old boy. The patient was suffering from a cough and noisy breathing for 2 days prior to coming to our hospital, when he experienced sudden onset of difficulty in breathing and a severe cough. At the time of presentation his vital sign readings were:- HR 186 bpm, RR 46/min, BP 78/40 MmHg, temp 36.9°C and SPO2 68%. He was given oxygen immediately and nebulization was started. Chest CT scan was performed that suggested the presence of a right bronchial foreign body with right sided obstructive emphysema. The patient was stable with oxygenation and nebulization with ipratropium bromide, albuterol, normal saline and budesonide before the CT scan. Therefore, we conclude that symptoms resembling foreign body obstruction are not always aspirated or inhaled, and sometimes secreted sputum forms a plug, which mimics the symptoms of foreign body obstruction.