scholarly journals Epidemiologic and clinical evaluation of the acute intoxication in pediatric patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-73
Author(s):  
Mehmet Celegen ◽  
Kubra Celegen

Acute poisoning is a critical and emergent public health problem worldwide among pediatric age group. The common epidemiological observation is required to understand the characteristics of the pediatric intoxication for each location and important for management the poisoning cases. This retrospective study researched the epidemiology of poisoning among children. This study represented the epidemiology of poisonings of children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit at Afyonkarahisar Health Science University Faculty of Medicine between February 2020 and May 2021. Fifty one pediatric patients were reffered to the PICU due to acute intoxication. 58.9% of the analyzed patients were male and 41.1% were female. The mean age of all patients was 8.57±7.6. The majority of cases were due to drug-related poisonings. The average age of cases of suicidal poisoning was higher than accidental intoxication cases. Paracetamol was the most prevalent cause of drug-related intoxication and more common in children under 5 years of age and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were more frequent in adolescent group. All patients survived. Almost all of the patients were discharged from hospital within 3 days. Poisonings are still a serious reason for morbidity and mortality in developing countries among children. Early awareness of poisoning and appropriate management appeared to be effective and to decrease the mortality rate.

Author(s):  
Gürkan Atay ◽  
Demet Demirkol

AbstractTherapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a treatment administered with the aim of removing a pathogenic material or compound causing morbidity in a variety of neurologic, hematologic, renal, and autoimmune diseases. In this study, we aimed to assess the indications, efficacy, reliability, complications, and treatment response of pediatric patients for TPE. This retrospective study analyzed data from 39 patients aged from 0 to 18 years who underwent a total of 172 TPE sessions from January 2015 to April 2018 in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit. Indications for TPE were, in order of frequency, macrophage activation syndrome (28.2%, n = 11), renal transplantation rejection (15.4%, n = 6), liver failure (15.4%, n = 6), Guillain–Barre's syndrome (15%, n = 6), hemolytic uremic syndrome (7.7%, n = 3), acute demyelinating disease (7.7%, n = 3), septic shock (5.1%, n = 2), and intoxication (5.1%, n = 2). No patient had any adverse event related to the TPE during the procedure. The TPE session was ended prematurely in one patient due to insufficient vascular access and lack of blood flow (2.6%). In the long term, thrombosis due to the indwelling central catheter occurred (5.1%, n = 2). TPE appears to be an effective first-stage or supplementary treatment in a variety of diseases, may be safely used in pediatric patients, and there are significant findings that its area of use will increase. In experienced hands and when assessed carefully, it appears that the rate of adverse reactions and vascular access problems may be low enough to be negligible.


2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (11) ◽  
pp. 1140-1141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann A. Albert ◽  
Tracy L. Nolan ◽  
Bryan C. Weidner

Sigmoid volvulus, a condition generally seen in debilitated elderly patients, is extremely rare in the pediatric age group. Frequent predisposing conditions that accompany pediatric sigmoid volvulus include intestinal malrotation, omphalomesenteric abnormalities, Hirschsprung's disease, imperforate anus and chronic constipation. A 16-year-old previously healthy African American male presented with a 12 hour history of sudden onset abdominal pain and intractable vomiting. CTwas consistent with sigmoid volvulus. A contrast enema did not reduce the volvulus, but it was colonoscopically reduced. Patient condition initially improved after colonoscopy, but he again became distended with abdominal pain, so he was taken to the operating room. On exploratory laparotomy, a band was discovered where the mesenteries of the sigmoid and small bowel adhered and created a narrow fixation point around which the sigmoid twisted. A sigmoidectomy with primary anastomosis was performed. The diagnosis of sigmoid volvulus may be more difficult in children, with barium enema being the most consistently helpful. Seventy percent of cases do not involve an associated congenital problem, suggesting that some pediatric patients may have congenital redundancy of the sigmoid colon and elongation of its mesentery. The congenital band found in our patient was another potential anatomic factor that led to sigmoid volvulus. Pediatric surgeons, accustomed to unusual problems in children, may thus encounter a condition generally found in the debilitated elderly patient.


Author(s):  
A. N. Grebenyuk ◽  
V. N. Bykov

Introduction. Carbon monoxide (CO) remains one of the most common causes of acute poisoning and death, both in everyday life and in emergency situations, especially in fires.Material and methods. The paper summarizes information about the regulatory effects, mechanisms of toxic action, pathogenesis and clinical picture of intoxication, as well as predictors of the severity of CO poisoning.Results. The main mechanism of the toxic effect of CO is due to its ability to bind to the protohemal iron of hemoglobin (Hb) to form carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO). The toxicity of CO may also be enhanced by impaired functions of the myoglobin of the myocardium and skeletal muscles, mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase, and iron-containing enzymes of the antioxidant system. The leading link in the pathogenesis of acute CO intoxication is a violation of the oxygen transport function of hemoglobin and the associated development of hemic and tissue hypoxia. CO-induced cell and tissue damage due to the induction of mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, free radical hyperproduction, lipid peroxidation, inflammation, and apoptosis also play a role in the pathogenesis of intoxication.Conclusion. The mechanism of toxic action of CO, associated primarily with the formation of carboxyhemoglobin and the development of hypoxia, determines the clinical manifestations of acute intoxication, which depend on the concentration of CO and the duration of exposure, but are almost always associated with the central nervous system and cardiovascular system.


Author(s):  
Santosh Kumar Swain

<p class="abstract">Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by an otorhinolaryngologist. This surgery is done more in the pediatric age group. Although tonsillectomy is safe and effective surgery, it is usually associated with significant post-operative pain. Analgesics used for post-tonsillectomy pain is often inadequate. Severe throat pain following tonsillectomy has been documented for decades. Patients or parents/caretakers often worry about such severe pain in the home. The pain following tonsillectomy is usually intense and long-lasting. The severe post-tonsillectomy pain often overstrains the patient, family, and hospital staff. Regular changes in the analgesic armamentarium, particularly in pediatric patients are making the treatment of post-tonsillectomy pain more challenging. Pain following the tonsillectomy period continues to be a highly debated issue and an area of active research. Throat pain in the post-tonsillectomy period can result in significant morbidity among patients. There are different analgesics available; each one has its risk profile and side effects when used for controlling post-tonsillectomy pain. This review article discusses on recent management of post-tonsillectomy pain. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, impact of post-tonsillectomy pain, and details of medications used for controlling post-tonsillectomy pain.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 435
Author(s):  
Daniel Meireles ◽  
Francisco Abecasis ◽  
Leonor Boto ◽  
Cristina Camilo ◽  
Miguel Abecasis ◽  
...  

Introduction: In Portugal, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used in pediatric patients since 2010. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of patients, indications, complications and mortality associated with the use of ECMO during the first 10-years of experience in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit located in Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte.Material and Methods: Retrospective observational cohort study of all patients supported with ECMO in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, from the 1st of May 2010 up to 31st December 2019.Results: Sixty-five patients were included: 37 neonatal (≤ 28 days of age) and 28 pediatric patients (> 28 days). In neonatal cases, congenital diaphragmatic hernia was the main reason for ECMO (40% of neonatal patients and 23% of total). Among pediatric patients, respiratory distress was the leading indication for ECMO (47% of total). The median length of ECMO support was 12 days. Clinical complications were more frequent than mechanical complications (65% vs 35%). Among clinical complications, access site bleeding was the most prevalent with 38% of cases. The overall patient survival was 68% at the time of discharge (65% for neonatal and 71% for pediatric cases), while the overall survival rate in Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry was 61%. The number of ECMO runs has been increasing since 2011, even though in a non-linear way (three cases in 2010 to 11 cases in 2019).Discussion: In the first 10 years we received patients from all over the country. Despite continuous technological developments, circuitrelated complications have a significant impact. The overall survival rate in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit was not inferior to the one reported by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization.Conclusion: The overall survival of our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit is not inferior to one reported by other international centers. Our experience showed the efficacy of the ECMO technique in a Portuguese centre.


Author(s):  
Jyothi Veleshala ◽  
Varun Malhotra

Background: Tobacco use is a major public health problem. The prevalence of tobacco use among men has been reported to be high (generally exceeding 50%) from almost all parts of India. “The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution) Act 2003”, which came into effect since 1st May 2004. Information on knowledge, attitudes, and practices of population regarding COTPA is necessary to effectively implement the legislation. Hence the present study was undertaken.Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional community-based survey carried out in urban slums of Nalgonda town. Data was collected using a structured schedule by interviewing 300 participants, aged above 15 years.Results: The current use of any tobacco was reported by 45.7% of the participants. Overall awareness of COTPA was 58.2%. Marital status, type of family, unemployment, Illiterates, lower SES, and age had a significant influence on tobacco use. Television (77.05%) was the major source of awareness regarding COTPA. The majority of smokers were aware of various sections of COTPA (>50%). About 34.8% of the participants had a favorable attitude towards COTPA. The positive attitude was more (53.7%) towards the display of health warnings on tobacco products among smokers. 11.2% had paid penalty for violation of the act and 32.4% have noticed a reduction in their habit to some extent.Conclusions: A concerted effort has to be made to increase the awareness of the act amongst the vulnerable population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1637
Author(s):  
Santosh Kumar Swain

Tonsillectomy is a common surgical procedure performed in the pediatric age group. Although tonsillectomy is a safe surgery, it is associated with significant post-operative pain. Analgesia after tonsillectomy is often inadequate. Severe post-tonsillectomy throat pain has been described for more than a decade. Parents often worry for handling the pain of their children in home. Post-tonsillectomy pain is often considered as a long lasting and intense in nature. Post-tonsillectomy pain in children is an important problem which overstrains the patient, family and hospital staff. Post-tonsillectomy pain in children is an important problem which overstrains the patient, family and hospital staff. Regulatory alteration in the analgesic armamentarium, particularly in pediatric patients are making the treatment of post-tonsillectomy pain more difficult. Post-tonsillectomy pain in pediatric patients continues to be highly debated clinical issue and also an area of active research. Post-tonsillectomy pain can result in significant morbidity among pediatric patients. There are several analgesics available; each one has its own risk profile and unique side effects when used in pediatric age group in post-tonsillectomy period. This review article provides an update on recent management of post-tonsillectomy pain in pediatric patients. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, impact of post-tonsillectomy pain in children and details of medications used for controlling post-tonsillectomy pain. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gideon Stitt ◽  
Jennifer Morris ◽  
Lindsay Schmees ◽  
Joseph Angelo ◽  
Ayse Akcan Arikan

ABSTRACT This retrospective study included pediatric intensive care unit patients receiving continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) being treated with cefepime. The free drug concentration above one time the MIC (fT>1×MIC) and four times a presumed MIC (fT>4×MIC) of 8 μg/ml were calculated. Four patients received doses ranging from 48 to 64 mg/kg of body weight every 6 to 12 h. Three patients achieved 100% fT>1×MIC, with the fourth patient achieving 98% fT>1×MIC. Therapeutic drug monitoring should be considered for critically ill patients receiving cefepime on CVVHDF.


Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (14) ◽  
pp. 4039
Author(s):  
Laura Rey-Barroso ◽  
Mónica Roldán ◽  
Francisco J. Burgos-Fernández ◽  
Susanna Gassiot ◽  
Anna Ruiz Llobet ◽  
...  

Hemoglobinopathies represent the most common single-gene defects in the world and pose a major public health problem, particularly in tropical countries, where they occur with high frequency. Diagnosing hemoglobinopathies can sometimes be difficult due to the coexistence of different causes of anemia, such as thalassemia and iron deficiency, and blood transfusions, among other factors, and requires expensive and complex molecular tests. This work explores the possibility of using spectral confocal microscopy as a diagnostic tool for thalassemia in pediatric patients, a disease caused by mutations in the globin genes that result in changes of the globin chains that form hemoglobin—in pediatric patients. Red blood cells (RBCs) from patients with different syndromes of alpha-thalassemia and iron deficiency (including anemia) as well as healthy (control) subjects were analyzed under a Leica TCS SP8 confocal microscope following different image acquisition protocols. We found that diseased RBCs exhibited autofluorescence when excited at 405 nm and their emission was collected in the spectral range from 425 nm to 790 nm. Three experimental descriptors calculated from the mean emission intensities at 502 nm, 579 nm, 628 nm, and 649 nm allowed us to discriminate between diseased and healthy cells. According to the results obtained, spectral confocal microscopy could serve as a tool in the diagnosis of thalassemia.


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