Myopericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination in adolescent triplets.

Multiple studies have reported myocarditis and pericarditis after the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease 2019 messenger ribonucleic acid vaccine. We describe male adolescent triplets who presented with myopericarditis within one week following vaccine administration.

Impact of mitral regurgitation on left ventricular remodeling and function in children with rheumatic heart disease.

The impact of mitral regurgitation (MR) from pediatric rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and its effect on left ventricular (LV) remodeling and function following surgical intervention is uncertain. The objective is to explore the impact of mitral valve (MV) surgeries on myocardial mechanics, remodeling and function and identify pre-operative predictors of post-operative dysfunction which may contribute to the optimal timing of intervention. A retrospective review of echocardiographic data was performed of eighteen pediatric patients with RHD (median 9yrs, IQR 6-12) who underwent MV surgery. Echocardiograms pre-operatively and a median of 13.5 months (IQR 10.2-15) following intervention were compared to controls. Pre-operative LV end-diastolic indexed volumes (LVEDVi) were significantly increased compared to controls and remained persistently larger post-operatively. LV ejection fraction (LVEF) (pre 62.6% ± 6.1, post 51.7% ± 9.7, p = 0.002), and global longitudinal strain (GLS) (pre - 24.3 ± 4.1, post - 18.2 ± 2.6, p < 0.001) decreased post-operatively at mid-term follow-up. Pre-operative LVEDVi was a significant predictor of post-operative LVEF, with a cut-off of ≥ 102 ml/m2 associated with LV dysfunction (LVEF < 55%; sensitivity 70%, specificity 75%). Pre-operative LVEDVi also negatively correlated with GLS (r = - 0.58, p = 0.01). LV dimensions and volumes remain persistently larger than controls while LV function decreases post-surgical alleviation of MR in paediatric RHD. Pre-operative LVEDVi predicted post-operative LV dysfunction and utilising LV indexed volumes in directing timing of surgical planning should be considered. Further studies are required to investigate whether timely alleviation of MR before significant LV dilatation and remodeling occur may substantially prevent LV dysfunction and improve outcomes.

Pre- and post-intervention study examining immunisation rates, documentation, catch-up delivery and the impact of a dedicated immunisation service at a tertiary paediatric hospital.

AIM: To explore immunisation rates and catch-up delivery to children admitted to hospital before and after an immunisation service was commenced. METHODS: This pre- and post-intervention study examined 300 admissions prior to (cohort 1) and 300 following (cohort 2) the introduction of an immunisation service. Immunisation rates, documentation, catch-up delivery and accuracy of the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) were examined. RESULTS: On admission, 75% (cohort 1) and 89% (cohort 2) were up-to-date with immunisations. Immunisation history was documented in the medical record in 78% and requirement for catch-up documented in 10%. AIR was incorrect in one-third of cases. By 3 months following discharge, 28% (cohort 1) and 64% (cohort 2) of patients were immunised. CONCLUSIONS: Children admitted to hospital have lower immunisation rates than the national average. Documentation was poor, opportunities for catch-up were missed and AIR is error-prone. Catch-up rates increased following the introduction of an immunisation service.

Flail anterior tricuspid valve leaflet in a neonate: association with maternal antiphospholipid syndrome.

This brief report describes a case of flail anterior tricuspid valve leaflet in a neonate associated with maternal antiphospholipid syndrome. Fetal echocardiography at 27 weeks of gestation showed competent atrioventricular valves with biventricular echogenic chordae. Fetal distress was noted at delivery, and echocardiography showed a flail anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve with severe regurgitation. Possible causation and implications of maternal antiphospholipid syndrome are discussed.