Cardiac screening in school children: Combining auscultation and electrocardiography with a crowdsourcing model.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: School-based cardiac screening is useful for identifying children and adolescents with a high risk of sudden cardiac death. However, because of challenges associated with cost, distance, and human resources, cardiac screening is not widely implemented, especially in rural areas with limited medical resources. This study aims to establish a cloud-based system suitable for mass cardiac screening of schoolchildren in rural areas with limited medical resources. METHODS: Students from three schools were included. They or their guardians completed a simple questionnaire, administered in paper or electronic form. Heart sounds were recorded using an electronic stethoscope. Twelve-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded and digitalized. The signals were transmitted through Bluetooth to a tablet computer and then uploaded to a cloud server over Wi-Fi. Crowdsourced pediatric cardiologists reviewed those data from a web-based platform and provided remote consultation. In cases in which abnormal heart sounds or ECGs were noted, the students were referred to the hospital for further evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 1004 students were enrolled in this study. Of the 138 students referred, 62 were diagnosed as having an abnormal heart condition and most had previously been undiagnosed. The interrater agreeability was high. CONCLUSION: An innovative strategy combining a cloud-based cardiac screening system with remote consultation by crowdsourced experts was established. This system allows pediatric cardiologists to provide consultation and make reliable diagnoses. Combined with crowdsourcing, the system constitutes a viable approach for mass cardiac screening in children and adolescents living in rural areas with insufficient medical resources.

Kawasaki disease in children with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin scar reactivity: Focus on coronary outcomes.

BACKGROUND: /Purpose: Reactivity at the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) scar is a pathognomonic feature of Kawasaki disease (KD). However, its value in predicting KD outcomes has not been emphasized. This study explored the clinical significance of BCG scar redness with respect to coronary artery outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study collected data on children with KD from 13 hospitals in Taiwan during 2019-2021. Children with KD were categorized into four groups based on the KD type and BCG scar reactivity. Risk factors of coronary artery abnormalities (CAA) were analyzed in all groups. RESULTS: BCG scar redness occurred in 49% of 388 children with KD. BCG scar redness was associated with younger age, early intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment, hypoalbuminemia, and CAA at the first echocardiogram (p < 0.01). BCG scar redness (RR 0.56) and pyuria (RR 2.61) were independent predictors of any CAA within 1 month (p < 0.05). Moreover, pyuria (RR 5.85, p < 0.05) in children with complete KD plus BCG scar redness was associated with CAA at 2-3 months; first IVIG resistance (RR 15.2) and neutrophil levels ≥80% (RR 8.37) in children with complete KD plus BCG scar non-redness were associated with CAA at 2-3 months (p < 0.05). We failed to detect any significant risk factors of CAA at 2-3 months in children with incomplete KD. CONCLUSION: BCG scar reactivity contributes to diverse clinical features in KD. It can be effectively applied to determine the risk factors of any CAA within 1 month and CAA at 2-3 months.

Corrigendum: Helmet ventilation for pediatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A narrative review.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.839476.].

Development of cool and hot executive function deficit in children born very low birth weight with normal early development: A longitudinal cohort from aged 6 to 10.

BACKGROUND: Studies showed preterm children born with very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500 g) are at risk for poorer executive functions (EFs). However, very little research has been reported longitudinally on the development of both cool and hot EFs deficits in preschool to school-age VLBW preterm children with normal early development. AIMS: Present study aimed to investigate the development of cool and hot EFs in VLWB preterm children longitudinally. METHODS: Forty preterm children born VLBW were followed up at ages 6, 8, and 10. Fifty term-born controls were recruited at each age stage. Cool EFs was assessed using backward digit span subtest of WISC-IV, Knox's Cube Test, Comprehensive Non-verbal Attention Test Battery (CNAT), Tower of London (ToL), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), and hot EFs was assessed using Theory of Mind (ToM) and Delay of Gratification (GIFT) tasks. RESULTS: The six-year-old VLBW preterm group showed significantly lower scores of planning in ToL, inhibition control in CNAT, and in both ToM and GIFT tasks. There is no significant difference in average cool and hot EFs between the eight and ten-year-old preterm group and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: At six, VLBW preterm infants with normal early development have delayed cool and hot EFs development. Although the average performance of EFs can reach the level of the control group with age increasing to eight and ten years, there are still individual differences. It is recommended that more complete development indicators be established in the future, and early intervention should be made for VLBW premature children with delayed EFs.

Effects of 12-Week Progressive Sandbag Exercise Training on Glycemic Control and Muscle Strength in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Combined with Possible Sarcopenia.

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at a three-fold increased risk of developing sarcopenia compared to those without diabetes. The objective of this study was to investigate whether an intervention involving progressive sandbag exercises is beneficial to patients with T2DM and possible sarcopenia in terms of enhancing muscle strength and controlling blood sugar levels. Forty patients with T2DM and possible sarcopenia (age > 50 years) were recruited and randomly divided into resistance training and control groups. Resistance exercises for the upper and lower extremities were performed using sandbags (0.5 kg at the beginning to 1 kg after 1 month). Patients in the control group were asked to maintain their usual daily lifestyle. After 12 weeks, the training group were significant better than the control group in terms of glycosylated hemoglobin, the five times sit-to-stand test, skeletal muscle mass and calf circumference, and the physiological domain of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire. In conclusion, these simple home exercises are beneficial to patients with T2DM combined with possible sarcopenia. This approach can assist patients in controlling their levels of glycosylated hemoglobin as well as improve physical fitness and quality of life.

Body composition and pelvic fat distribution are associated with prostate cancer aggressiveness and can predict biochemical recurrence.

This study evaluated the effect of body composition and pelvic fat distribution on the aggressiveness and prognosis of localized prostate cancer. This study included patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with positive surgical margins. Clinicodemographic data were collected from patients' medical reports. Pretreatment magnetic resonance images (MRI) obtained for cancer staging were reviewed by a single radiologist to calculate pelvic fat distribution and body composition. We correlated these body composition parameters with initial prostate-specific antigen (iPSA), Gleason score, extracapsular tumor extension, and biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival. The iPSA was significantly associated with body mass index (BMI; P = .027), pelvic fat volume (P = .004), and perirectal fat volume (P = .001), whereas the Gleason score was significantly associated with BMI only (P = .011). Tumor extracapsular extension was significantly associated with increased periprostatic fat volume (P = .047). Patients with less subcutaneous fat thickness (<2.4 cm) had significantly poor BCR-free survival (P = .039). Pelvic fat distribution, including pelvic fat volume, perirectal fat volume, and periprostatic fat volume, were significantly correlated with prostate cancer aggressiveness. Patients with less subcutaneous fat had an increased risk of BCR after radical prostatectomy.

Helmet Ventilation for Pediatric Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review.

The air dispersion of exhaled droplets from patients is currently considered a major route of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission, the use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) should be more cautiously employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, helmet ventilation has been identified as the optimal treatment for acute hypoxia respiratory failure caused by COVID-19 due to its ability to deliver NIV respiratory support with high tolerability, low air leakage, and improved seal integrity. In the present review, we provide an evidence-based overview of the use of helmet ventilation in children with respiratory failure.

High-flow nasal cannula in children with asthma exacerbation: A review of current evidence.

Asthma is the commonest obstructive airway disease and the leading cause of morbidity in children. In the pediatric population, acute exacerbations of asthma are a frequent cause of presentations and hospital admissions. An acute asthma exacerbation is potentially life-threatening; it is predominantly treated using conventional oxygen therapy with bronchodilators and systemic corticosteroids. The treatment of those who do not respond to conventional therapy is escalated to noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) before invasive ventilation. Although NIPPV has demonstrated benefits and safety, it still has limitations such as treatment intolerance caused mainly by discomfort and complications. High-flow oxygen therapy administered through a nasal cannula (HFNC) provides respiratory support with adequate airway humidity and has demonstrated safety and benefits in clinical practice. In the present review, we discuss HFNC and variations in HFNC use, focusing on its feasibility and current evidence of using it on children with asthma exacerbations.

Device deformation and left pulmonary artery obstruction after transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus closure in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is an effective alternative to surgical ligation in preterm infants. However, data on device deformation and risk of left pulmonary artery (LPA) obstruction remain scant. This study describes the outcomes and complications of transcatheter closure of PDA in preterm infants weighing <2500 g. METHODS: Amplatzer Piccolo Occluder and Amplatzer Vascular Plug were used. Echocardiography was repeated at prespecified intervals. The device waist and length were assessed through lateral fluoroscopy immediately and at least 3 months after deployment. RESULTS: Fourteen infants were prospectively enrolled (mean procedural weight 1335 g, procedural age 24 days), and all procedures were successful. There was no obstruction of adjacent vessels immediately after deployment. At follow-up, three infants developed aortic coarctation, all of which resolved gradually. Obstruction of the LPA occurred in eight infants, with five being severe cases. Compared with the shape immediately after deployment, the devices became significantly more flattened and lengthened at follow-up in patients with LPA obstruction. This deformation was nonsignificant in infants without any LPA obstruction. The ratio of the device waist after deployment to the nominal waist (<0.75) was highly predictive of LPA obstruction and late device deformation. The cannulated femoral vein was patent compared with the contralateral side. CONCLUSIONS: Device deformation occurring late at follow-up is common and may be associated with LPA obstruction in preterm infants after transcatheter PDA closure. Meticulous device selection and implantation technique are crucial for minimizing the associated risks.

Impact of urine osmolality/urine sodium on the timing of diuretic phase and non-invasive ventilation support: Differences from late preterm to term neonates.

BACKGROUND: Extracellular fluid retained in the lungs lead to respiratory distress in both late preterm (LP) and term neonates. The relationship between urine parameters toward the diuresis and the duration of ventilation postnatally is unknown. To find the correlation between the diuretic phase with urine parameters in the first 4 days after birth and the duration of non-invasive ventilation (NIV). METHODS: Serial measurements of urine osmolality (Uosm), urine sodium (UNa), and urine output (U/O) in neonates were collected at 5 time periods (T1:0-12 postnatal hours, T2:12-24 postnatal hours, T3:24-48 postnatal hours, T4:48-72 postnatal hours, T5:72-96 postnatal hours) were recorded. The correlations were analyzed in late preterm and term neonates. RESULTS: Ninety-seven neonates were included. Negative correlation between Uosm and U/O were observed. LP neonates (n=26) and term neonates (n=71) had differences with Uosm at T2, UNa at T4, T5, and U/O at T2, T3. Factors of U/O < 1 ml/kg/hr at T1 (odds ratio (OR) = 20.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.796-222.776; p = 0.015) or Uosm > 273 mOsm/L at T1 (OR = 9.0; 95% CI 1.031-78.574; p = 0.047) in LP neonates and UNa > 26.5 mEq/L at T5 (OR = 23.625; 95% CI 2.683-79.276; p < 0.01) in term neonates were associated with prolonged NIV use (> 120 hours). CONCLUSION: We speculate the significant correlation between Uosm/UNa and the diuretic phase. The LP neonates acquire earlier diuretic phase than the term neonates. The Uosm/UNa in the first few postnatal days had the correlation with the duration of NIV support.

The Role of Heated Humidified High-flow Nasal Cannula as Noninvasive Respiratory Support in Neonates.

Recently, heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC) has been introduced and applied as a noninvasive respiratory support in neonates. Although HHHFNC is widely used in neonates presenting with respiratory distress, the efficiency and safety when compared with nasal continuous positive airway pressure or noninvasive positive pressure ventilation are still controversial. This review aims to evaluate the performance and applications of HHHFNC in neonates.