Performance of home-based and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in obese children and their correlation with end organ damage.

BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of childhood obesity has led to a corresponding increase in hypertension among children, necessitating early identification of subclinical target organ damage for accurate cardiovascular risk assessment. However, in the pediatric population, there is a paucity of literature comparing ambulatory and home blood pressure monitoring, and this knowledge gap is exacerbated by limited access to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) facilities, particularly in developing countries, where pediatricians often resort to home blood BP monitoring as the preferred option. METHOD: In this cross-sectional study with 60 obese children (aged 5-18 years) at a tertiary health care in central India, we aimed to comprehensively characterize blood pressure profiles, including office, ambulatory and home and investigated their correlations with indicators of end-organ damage. RESULT: Among 60 children, 26 (43.3%) participants were found to be hypertensive based on 24 Hr ABPM evaluation. Masked hypertension and white coat hypertension (WCH) were observed in 21.6% and 13.3% respectively. Surprisingly, 20% of participants were identified as hypertensive through 7-day home BP monitoring (HBPM). A notable discordance of 36.6% was between HBPM and ABPM results. Moreover, 26.7% of the children had end-organ damage, with higher odds associated with night-time systolic ambulatory hypertension in the adjusted regression model (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.03-1.10, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The study highlights 24-hour ABPM's vital role in classifying hypertensive status, especially in high-risk children. The diagnostic performance of HBPM shows poor sensitivity in detecting MH and lower specificity in identifying WCH compared to ABPM. This limitation translates to missed opportunities for early preventive interventions.

Relationship Between COVID-19 and Linezolid-Resistant Enterococci: A Retrospective Single-Center Study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the correlation between whether the COVID-19 pandemic turned out to be a great premise for increasing the incidence of linezolid resistance infections. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The current retrospective study included data from March 2018 to March 2023 from a single center. The clinical records of the patients were reviewed to extract clinical data. Data gathered from medical records included demographic information, the type of specimen taken, the organism identified, and its sensitivity. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and bacterial identification are both done using the fully automated VITEK system. RESULTS: The total number of samples collected in all the groups, i.e., Group 1 (PRE-COVID), Group 2 (COVID), and Group 3 (POST-COVID), were 201, 127, and 1315, respectively. Out of a total of 201 samples in Group 1, i.e., from March 2018 to February 2020, 47 (23.38%) samples were collected from blood, 104 (51.74%) samples were collected from urine, and the rest of the samples were collected from other sources (pus, sputum, wound, stool, pleural fluid, etc.). In Group 2, i.e., from March 2020 to February 2021, the total number of samples collected was 127, of which 21 were collected from blood, 86 were from urine, and the remaining 20 samples were from other sources. A total of 1315 samples were collected between March 2021 and February 2023, i.e., in Group 3, 598 samples were collected from blood and 548 samples from urine. The most common isolates in the study were Enterococcus faecalis (35.7%) and Enterococcus faecium (61.0%). CONCLUSION: A new threat seems to be emerging in the era of COVID-19, the Enterococcus genus. Though the mechanism remains unidentified, the viral infection seems to cause changes in the bacterial flora, favoring Enterococcus and increasing gut permeability, which provides the perfect environment for Enterococcus bacteria to develop invasive infections. In our study, the prevalence of linezolid resistance was 18.2% for five years.

Development and Validation of Tool for Assessment of Knowledge About Childhood Hypertension Among Final Year Medical Student.

Childhood hypertension (HTN) is becoming one of the most important health concerns in children, and it is the most important predictor of adult HTN. The objective was to assess the level of knowledge and to develop and validate questionnaires about childhood HTN among final-year medical students. This facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2018 to September 2018 in 5 teaching hospitals of Central India. A total of 383 interviews were conducted by non-probability purposive sampling using a validated tool. Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the validity of the questionnaire, and internal consistency of items was assessed with Cronbach α. A total of 26 items were finalized through consensus. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sample adequacy was measures of sampling adequacy (MSA) = 0.83, and Bartlett's test of sphericity was (x2 = 15.89, P = .014). This study shows that the tool developed had acceptable validity and reliability to assess the knowledge about childhood HTN among undergraduate medical students.

Profile of cardiac lesions among laboratory confirmed congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) infants: a nationwide sentinel surveillance, India, 2016-22.

Background: The phenotypical profile of cardiovascular malformations in patients with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is varied. We aimed to describe the profile of cardiac defects among CRS patients detected in the sentinel CRS surveillance in India during 2016-22. Methods: Sentinel sites enrolled infants with suspected CRS based on presence of cardiac defects, hearing impairment, eye signs, or maternal history of febrile rash illness. Suspected CRS cases underwent detailed systemic examination, including echocardiography and serological investigation for rubella. Cardiac defects were categorized as 'Simple' or 'Complex' as per the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute classification. We compared the distribution of cardiac defects among laboratory confirmed CRS cases and seronegative discarded cases. Findings: Of the 4578 suspected CRS cases enrolled by 14 sites, 558 (12.2%) were laboratory confirmed. 419 (75.1%) laboratory confirmed cases had structural heart defects (simple defects: n = 273, 65.2%, complex defects: n = 144, 34.4%), with ventricular septal defect (42.7%), atrial septal defect (39.4%), patent ductus arteriosus (36.5%), and tetralogy of Fallot as the commonest defects (4.5%). Laboratory confirmed CRS cases had higher odds of left to right shunt lesions (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.15-2.17). This was mainly on account of a significant association of PDA with CRS (OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.42-2.21). Mortality was higher among CRS patients with complex heart defects (HR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.26-3.30). Interpretation: Three-fourths of the laboratory confirmed CRS cases had structural heart defects. CRS patients with complex cardiac defects had higher mortality. Detecting CRS infection early and providing timely intervention for cardiovascular defects is critical for the management of CRS patients. Funding: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India, through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Impact of Asthma Phenotypes on Myocardial Performance and Pulmonary Hypertension in Children and Adolescents With Moderate to Severe Persistent Asthma.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation and remodeling of pulmonary vessels and airway wall resulting in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Increased afterload on right ventricle (RV) myocardium leads to RV diastolic dysfunction (RVDD). Echocardiography is an excellent tool to detect these changes early. Using echocardiography, we assessed the impact of clinical asthma phenotypes on myocardial performance and PH in children with asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty children with moderate or severe persistent asthma and 60 age and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled. As per clinical phenotypes, children with asthma were classified into early wheezers (n = 30) and late wheezers (n = 30). Pulmonary function tests (PFT) and echocardiography, both conventional and pulse wave (PW), were performed. RESULTS: Children with asthma had significant RVDD and higher incidence (33%) of PH. Myocardial performance index (MPI) was poor in asthmatics, 0.41 (0.04) compared to controls, 0.38 (0.03). Measures for PH such as tricuspid regurgitation (TR) gradient, TR velocity, and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) were significantly higher in cases. Among clinical asthma phenotypes, there was no difference in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between early 64.3% (4.6) and late wheezers 65.6% (4.4). MPI was better in late wheezers at 0.41 (0.05) than in early wheezers at 0.40 (0.03). TR gradient, TR velocity, and PAP were significantly higher in early wheezers. The odds ratio for the development of PH was 0.74 (CI 0.25 - 2.17), and for the development of RVDD was 3.2 (CI 0.77 - 13.8), both in favor of early wheezers. CONCLUSION: Children with asthma, particularly early-onset wheezers are at increased risk of developing PH and RVDD. We suggest annual screening by conventional echocardiography and pulse wave Doppler imaging for early diagnosis and timely initiation of management.

Evidence-Based Guidelines for the Management of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) in Children and Adolescents with Asthma.

BACKGROUND: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) frequently complicates asthma. There is urgent need to develop evidence-based guidelines for the management of ABPA in children. The Evidence Based Guideline Development Group (EBGDG) of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) National Respiratory Chapter (NRC) addressed this need. METHODS: The EBGDG shortlisted clinical questions relevant to the management of ABPA in asthma. For each question, the EBGDG undertook a systematic, step-wise evidence search for existing guidelines, followed by systematic reviews, followed by primary research studies. The evidence was collated, critically appraised, and synthesized. The EBGDG worked through the Evidence to Decision (EtD) framework, to formulate recommendations, using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. RESULTS: Seven clinical questions were prioritized, and the following recommendations formulated. (1) Children with poorly controlled asthma should be investigated for ABPA (conditional recommendation, moderate certainty of evidence). (2) Low dose steroid therapy regimen (0.5 mg/kg/d for the first 2 wk, followed by a progressive tapering) is preferable to higher dose regimens (conditional recommendation, very low certainty of evidence). (3) Oral steroid regimens longer than 16 wk (including tapering), should not be used (conditional recommendation, very low certainty of evidence). (4) Antifungals may or may not be added to steroid therapy as the evidence was neither in favour nor against (conditional recommendation, low certainty of evidence). (5) For clinicians using antifungal agents, the EBGDG recommends against using voriconazole instead of itraconazole (conditional recommendation, very low certainty of evidence). (6) No evidence-based recommendation could be framed for using pulse steroid therapy in preference to conventional steroid therapy. (7) Immunotherapy with biologicals including omalizumab or dupilumab is not recommended (conditional recommendation, very low certainty of evidence). CONCLUSIONS: This evidence-based guideline can be used by healthcare providers in diverse clinical settings.

Obstructive sleep apnea and ambulatory blood pressure abnormalities in children with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hypertension are common complications in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Progression of CKD can aggravate OSA and hypertension whereas worsening sleep apnea can make hypertension difficult to treat in CKD patients. We, therefore, conducted a prospective study to evaluate the association between OSA and hypertension in pediatric patients with CKD. METHOD: In this prospective observational study consecutive children with CKD stage 3-5 (nondialysis dependent) underwent overnight polysomnography and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). The detailed clinical features and investigations were recorded in a prestructured performa. RESULTS: Twenty-two children completed overnight polysomnography and 24-h ABPM was performed within 48 h of performing polysomnography. The median (IQR) age of the study population was 11 (8.5-15.5) years, with an age range of 5-18 years. Moderate-severe OSA defined as apnea-hypopnea index (AHI ≥5) was seen in 14 (63.6%) children, periodic limb movement syndrome in 20 (91%) and poor sleep efficacy in 9 (40.9%) children. Ambulatory blood pressure was abnormal in 15 (68.2%) children with CKD. Of them, 4 (18.2%) had ambulatory hypertension, 9 (40.9%) had severe ambulatory hypertension and 2 (9.1%) had masked hypertension. A statistically significant correlation of sleep efficiency with nighttime DBP SD score/Z score (SDS/Z) (r = -0.47; P = 0.02); estimated glomerular filtration rate with SBP loads (r = -0.61; P < 0.012); DBP loads (r = -0.63; P < ) and BMI with SBP load (r = 0.46; P = 0.012) was found. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary findings suggest that ambulatory blood pressure abnormalities, OSA, periodic limb movement syndrome and poor sleep efficiency are highly prevalent in children with CKD stages 3-5.

Bland Urine Sediment in a Child with Acute Kidney Injury.

Tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) or acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is a renal lesion characterized by inflammatory infiltrate limited to the renal interstitium and tubules. Three-fourths of the cases are drug induced, other causes being systemic and autoimmune diseases, and infections. Various drugs have been implicated, the most common being antibiotics such as ß-lactams. Cephalosporins causing AIN have been reported uncommonly, particularly in children. Although renal biopsy confirms the diagnosis, urinalysis provides pertinent diagnostic clues against the backdrop of the clinico-laboratory profile. The presence of white blood cells, white cell casts, and red blood cells in urine sediment have been described in literature. However, a relatively normal urinalysis may be present in some cases and may pose a diagnostic challenge. We present a case of ceftriaxone-induced AIN in a child with bland urine sediment at initial presentation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of ceftriaxone-induced AIN in the pediatric age group.

Nasal leeches and epistaxis: A case series.

Nasal hirudiniasis is uncommon in humans, where a leech invades through the nostrils, adhering to the nasal cavity mucosa. It is rare in urban areas, noted in endemic rural areas, but scarcely documented and, with urbanisation and ecological imbalance has become rarer still. It presents with recurrent epistaxis due to hirudin released by the leech while other symptoms are infinitesimal owing to an analgesic enzyme secreted. A thorough history-taking and examination is of utmost importance as respiratory complications may arise if the leech invades the airways. We present a case series of five patients, within a period of three years.

Acute kidney injury following multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) is a rare paediatric hyper-inflammatory disorder that occurs following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in approximately one-quarter to one-third of the patients with MIS-C and is associated with poor prognosis in critically ill children. This systematic review is aimed to evaluate the incidence of AKI, mortality, and the need for kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in patients with MIS-C. METHODS: We searched databases from Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Register, and Google Scholar from December 2019 to December 2021 with our search strategy. Studies meeting the following criteria were included in this systematic review: (1) articles on AKI in MIS-C; (2) studies providing AKI in MIS-C and COVID-19 infection separately; (3) studies reporting outcomes such as mortality, KRT, serum creatinine; length of hospital/ICU stay. QUALITY ASSESSMENT: The quality of the included studies was independently assessed by using the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) quality assessment tool for cohort studies and case series. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Outcomes and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported if a meta-analysis of these outcomes was conducted. Heterogeneity was reported using I2 statistics, and heterogeneity ≥ 50% was considered high. We used Baujat's plot for the contribution of each study toward overall heterogeneity. In sensitivity analysis, the summary estimates were assessed by repeating meta-analysis after omitting one study at a time. Forest plots were used for reporting outcomes in each study and with their 95% CI. All statistical tests were performed using R software version 4.0.3. RESULTS: A total of 24 studies were included in this systematic review and of these, 11 were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled proportion of patients with MIS-C developing AKI was 20% (95% CI: 14-28%, I2 = 80%). Pooled proportion of death in children with MIS-C was 4% (95% CI: 1-14%; I2 = 93%). The odds of death in patients with AKI were 4.68 times higher than in patients without AKI (95% CI: 1.06-20.7%; I2 = 17%). The overall pooled proportion of MIS-C-induced AKI patients requiring KRT was 15% (95% CI: 4-42%; I2 = 91%). CONCLUSION: Approximately one-fifth of children with MIS-C develop AKI which is associated with higher odds of death. PROSPERO registration: CRD42022306170 A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Reply to Letter to the Editor: A Fatal Case of Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis-A Diagnosis to Ponder in Pandemic.

How to cite this article: Kumar A, Sabharwal P, Gupta P, Singh VK, Rao BK. Reply to Letter to the Editor: A Fatal Case of Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis-A Diagnosis to Ponder in Pandemic. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(9):1062.

A Fatal Case of Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis: A Diagnosis to Ponder in Pandemic.

A 40-year-old woman known hypertensive presented with progressive ascending paralysis. MRI T2W and FLAIR screening of the brain demonstrated swelling with altered signal in the visual cervical cord, medulla, and another juxtacortical lesion in the right temporal lobe with possibility of a demyelinating etiology. CSF testing did not identify a direct cerebral infection. High-dose steroids followed by a course of IVIG was administered but with no significant response. In these pandemic times, the patients who present with altered mentation and polyfocal neurological deficits and background history of recent COVID-19 infection or recipient of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine the diagnosis of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) should be considered likely. How to cite this article: Kumar A, Sabharwal P, Gupta P, Singh VK, Rao BK. A Fatal Case of Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis: A Diagnosis to Ponder in Pandemic. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(4):518-520.

Acute Flaccid Quadriparesis in a Recovering COVID-19 Patient: A Clinical Dilemma.

How to cite this article: Sabharwal P, Chakraborty S, Tyagi N, Kumar A. Acute Flaccid Quadriparesis in a Recovering COVID-19 Patient: A Clinical Dilemma. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(2):238-239.

Poor adherence to TB diagnosis guidelines among under-five children with severe acute malnutrition in central India: A missed window of opportunity?

BACKGROUND: In India, under-five children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) are referred to Nutritional Rehabilitation Centers (NRCs). NRCs screen the causes of SAM including tuberculosis (TB). The national TB programme recommends upfront testing with a rapid molecular test if TB is suspected in children. OBJECTIVE: We estimated the yield of and adherence to the TB diagnostic guidelines (clinical assessment and assessment for microbiological confirmation) among under-five children with SAM admitted at NRCs (six in district Sagar and four in district Sheopur) of Madhya Pradesh, India in 2017. We also explored the challenges in screening from the health care providers' perspective. METHODS: It was an explanatory mixed method study. The NRC records were reviewed This was followed by three key informant interviews and three focus group discussions among staff of NRC and TB programme. Manual descriptive thematic analysis was performed. RESULTS: Of 3230, a total of 2665(83%) children underwent Mantoux test, 2438(75%) underwent physical examination, 2277(70%) were asked about the symptoms suggestive of TB, 1220(38%) underwent chest radiograph and 485(15%) were asked for recent contact with TB. A total of 547(17%) underwent assessment for microbiological confirmation. Of 547, a total of 229 gastric aspirate specimens underwent rapid molecular test (24% positive) and 318 underwent sputum microscopy (44% positive). A total of 223 were diagnosed as TB (195 microbiologically and 28 clinically confirmed) and 209 were initiated on anti-TB treatment. The treatment outcome was favourable (cure or treatment completed) for 70(31%) and not recorded for 121(54%). The main perceived challenges in screening for TB were poor team skills, lack of diagnostic facilities and poor understanding of the guidelines due to inadequate training. CONCLUSION: Though NRCs provided a unique window of opportunity for the screening and management of TB among under-five children with SAM, the utilization of this opportunity remained suboptimal.

A case of occult bilateral optic nerve aplasia with pituitary dysfunction: hidden anomaly missed on ultrasound.

We report a case of 'occult' bilateral optic nerve aplasia (ONA) where pituitary dysfunction was discovered subsequently. The initial ultrasonography had missed ONA in a child with bilateral microcornea, small non-dilating pupils and roving eye movements. Due to presence of relevant clinical signs in this case, ONA was re-evaluated with MRI, and was subsequently discovered to be associated with life-endangering hypopituitarism. This case raises the possible underestimation of ONA, and hence also the risk of missing life-threatening endocrine disorders.

Childhood tuberculosis in general practice.

Tuberculosis (TB) in children is a common cause of morbidity. Diagnosis is difficult because of paucibacillary nature of illness and difficulty in obtaining appropriate samples. Children presenting with poor weight gain, fever with or without cough for more than two weeks or contact with an adult in family with pulmonary tuberculosis should be investigated for TB. In all suspected cases of tuberculosis initial investigations include radiograph of chest (CXR) and Mantoux test. If CXR is suggestive of TB, an ambulatory gastric aspirate and induced sputum for acid fast bacilli (AFB) smear may be carried out in two days. Children with AFB positive or abnormal CXR with positive Mantoux test should be started on Antitubercular therapy (ATT). Rest of the patients require more investigations and should be referred to a specialist. All children with newly diagnosed tuberculosis should be treated with 6 mo of ATT (two months with 4 drugs, followed by four months with 2 drugs). Children on ATT should be monitored for improvement in symptoms and weight gain along with side effects of medications. CXR should be done after completion of treatment.