Analysis of wound infections among pediatric patients following the 2023 Türkiye-Syria earthquakes.

PURPOSE: On February 6, 2023, two earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 occurred consecutively in Turkey and Syria. This study aimed to investigate the predisposing factors for wound infection (WI) and the microbiological characteristics of wounds after earthquake-related injuries. METHODS: This descriptive study evaluated pediatric patients' frequency of WI, and the clinical and laboratory parameters associated with the development of WI were investigated. RESULTS: The study included 180 patients (91 female). The mean age of the patients was 123.9 ± 64.9 months and 81.7% (n = 147) of them had been trapped under rubble. Antibiotic treatment to prevent WI had been administered to 58.8% (n = 106) of all patients. WI was observed in 12.2% (n = 22) of the cases. In patients who developed WI, the incidence of exposure to a collapse, crush syndrome, compartment syndrome, multiple extremity injury, fasciotomy, amputation, peripheral nerve injury, thoracic compression, blood product use, intubation, and the use of central venous catheters, urinary catheters, and thoracic tubes were more frequent (p < 0.05). The need for blood product transfusion was associated with the development of WI (OR = 9.878 [95% CI: 2.504-38.960], p = 0.001). The negative predictive values of not developing WI at values of white blood cell count of < 11,630/mm3, creatine kinase < 810 U/L, potassium < 4.1 mEq/L, ALT < 29 U/L, AST < 32 U/L, and CRP < 45.8 mg/L were 93.7%, 96.8%, 90.8%, 93.3%, 100%, and 93.5%, respectively. Gram-negative pathogens (81%) were detected most frequently in cases of WI. Seventy-five percent of patients were multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant. CONCLUSION: This study leans empirical approach of our disaster circumstances. In cases with risk factors predisposing to the development of WI, it may be rational to start broad-spectrum antibiotics while considering the causative microorganisms and resistance profile to prevent morbidity.

A pediatric case with hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with COVID-19, which progressed to end-stage kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a serious cause of acute kidney injury in children. There is a suggestion that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be a trigger for HUS. In this study, we present a pediatric case diagnosed with HUS associated with COVID-19, which progressed to end-stage kidney disease. CASE: A previously healthy 13-year-old girl with fever and vomiting was referred to our hospital. Laboratory investigations revealed direct Coombs-negative hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and renal impairment accompanied by COVID-19 infection. Although anemia and thrombocytopenia showed improvement on the seventh day after admission, the renal impairment persisted. The histopathological findings of a renal biopsy were compatible with both HUS and COVID-19. One month later, the patient had a recurrence of HUS, again testing positive for COVID-19. Kidney function improved with plasma exchange therapy. Eculizumab treatment was recommenced after COVID-19 PCR became negative. Anemia and thrombocytopenia did not recur with eculizumab, while renal impairment persisted. Eculizumab was discontinued after three months when genetic analysis for HUS was negative. Subsequently, the patient was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 can be associated with HUS relapses, leading to chronic kidney disease. Further studies should investigate the mechanism of HUS associated with COVID-19.

Evaluation of pediatric trauma score and pediatric age-adjusted shock index in pediatric patients admitted to the hospital after an earthquake.

BACKGROUND: In our earthquake-prone country, it is crucial to gather data from regional hospitals following earthquakes. This information is essential for preparing for future disasters and enhancing healthcare services for those affected by earthquakes. This study aimed to evaluate the Pediatric Trauma Score (PTS) and the Shock Index, Pediatric Age-Adjusted (SIPA), in children affected by earthquakes, to provide clinicians with insights into the severity of trauma and hemodynamic stability. METHODS: The study included patients admitted to our hospital's pediatric emergency service within the three weeks following the earthquake. We evaluated their age, sex, admission vital signs, mechanical ventilation requirements, development of crush syndrome, length of hospital stay, PTS, and SIPA. RESULTS: Our study included 176 children (89 females and 87 males) with trauma. Fifty-eight (32.95%) children had crush syndrome, and 87 (49.43%) were hospitalized. The median PTS was 10 (ranging from -3 to 12), and the median SIPA was 1.00 (ranging from 0.57 to 2.10). We observed a negative correlation between the time spent under debris and PTS (r=-0.228, p=0.002) and a positive correlation with the SIPA score (r=0.268, p<0.001). The time spent under debris (p<0.001) and SIPA score (p<0.001) were significantly higher in hospitalized children. PTS was significantly lower in hospitalized children than in others. A PTS cutoff point of 7.5, and a SIPA cutoff point of 1.05, predicted hospitalization in all children. Time spent under debris and SIPA were significantly higher in children with crush syndrome than in others (p<0.001). PTS at a cutoff point of 8.5 and SIPA at a cutoff point of 1.05 predicted crush syndrome in all children. CONCLUSION: PTS and SIPA are important practical scoring systems that can be used to predict the severity of trauma, hospitalization, crush syndrome, and the clinical course in pediatric patients admitted to the hospital due to earthquake trauma.

Thromboprophylaxis in pediatric patients with earthquake-related crush syndrome: a single centre experience.

PURPOSE: Injuries increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the literature on the management of anticoagulant therapy in pediatric patients with crush injury is limited. In this study, we aimed to share our experience about anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis in pediatric patients with earthquake-related crush syndrome. METHODS: This study included patients who were evaluated for VTE risk after the Turkey-Syria earthquake in 2023. Since there is no specific pediatric guideline for the prevention of VTE in trauma patients, risk assessment for VTE and decision for thromboprophylaxis was made by adapting the guideline for the prevention of perioperative VTE in adolescent patients. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients [25 males and 24 females] with earthquake-related crush syndrome had participated in the study. The median age of the patients was 13.5 (8.8-15.5) years. Seven patients (14.6%) who had no risk factors for thrombosis were considered to be at low risk and did not receive thromboprophylaxis. Thirteen patients (27.1%) with one risk factor for thrombosis were considered to be at moderate risk and 28 patients (58.3%) with two or more risk factors for thrombosis were considered to be at high risk. Moderate-risk patients (n = 8) and high-risk patients aged < 13 years (n = 11) received prophylactic enoxaparin if they could not be mobilized early, while all high-risk patients aged ≥ 13 years (n = 13) received prophylactic enoxaparin. CONCLUSION: With the decision-making algorithm for thyromboprophylaxis we used, we observed a VTE rate of 2.1% in pediatric patients with earthquake-related crush syndrome.

Función del índice de volumen plaquetario medio/linfocitos en el diagnóstico de la apendicitis durante la niñez / Role of mean platelet volume-to-lymphocyte ratio in the diagnosis of childhood appendicitis

Introducción. El índice de volumen plaquetario medio/linfocitos (IVPML) es un parámetro novedoso de inflamación y trombosis. El objetivo fue evaluar si cumple una función en el diagnóstico de la apendicitis pediátrica.Población y métodos. Se revisaron retrospectivamente historias clínicas de pacientes de hasta 18 años con sospecha de apendicitis aguda (AA) sometidos a apendicectomía entre enero de 2016 y diciembre de 2017. Según la evaluación histopatológica, se clasificó a los pacientes en apéndice normal y apendicitis simple y perforante. Se midieron volumen plaquetario medio (VPM), amplitud de distribución plaquetaria (ADP), IVPML, índice de plaquetas/linfocitos (IPL), recuentos de plaquetas y leucocitos, y concentración de proteína C-reactiva (PCR).Resultados. Se revisaron los registros de 219 niños con sospecha de AA sometidos a tratamiento quirúrgico por apendicitis, y se incluyó a 100 niños sanos de la misma edad y sexo. Comparados con los controles, los valores medios de IVPML, IPL, leucocitos y PCR fueron más elevados en los niños con apendicectomía (p < 0,001). Estos valores fueron más elevados en los casos de apendicitis simple que de apéndices normales (p< 0,01). Comparados con la apendicitis simple, estos valores fueron más elevados en los niños con apendicitis perforante (p< 0,001). Las áreas bajo la curva del IVPML e IPL fueron 0,771 y 0,726 en la predicción de apendicitis y 0,693 y 0,722 en la predicción de perforación, respectivamente.Conclusiones. Una concentración elevada de IVPML podría contribuir a diagnosticar la AA pediátrica. Además, puede ayudar a diferenciar la apendicitis simple de la perforante.

Introduction. Mean platelet volume-to-lymphocyte ratio (MPVLR) has emergedas a novel parameter of inflammation andthrombosis. The aim was to evaluate whether MPVLR has a role in the diagnosis ofchildhood appendicitis. Population and methods. Retrospectively reviewed the medical records up to 18 year with suspected acute appendicitis (AA) who underwent appendectomy between January 2016 and December 2017. Based on histopathological evaluation, the patients were classified into normal appendix, and simple and perforated appendicitis. Preoperative mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distributionwidth (PDW), MPVLR, platelet-to-lymphocyteratio (PLR), counts of platelets and white bloodcells (WBC), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured. Results. A total of 219 children with clinically suspected AA who underwent surgical treatmentfor appendicitis were reviewed, and 100 gender-age matched healthy subjects were included. Compared with the controls, the mean levels of MPVLR, PLR, WBC and CRP were significantly higher in the children underwent appendectomy (p <0.001). These values were significantly higherin simple appendicitis than in normal appendices (p<0.01). Compared with simple appendicitis,these levels were significantly higher in thechildren with perforated appendicitis (p <0.001). The area under curves for MPVLR and PLR were0.771 and 0.726 in the prediction of appendicitisand 0.693 and 0.722 in the prediction of perforation, respectively. Conclusions. Increased level of MPVLR may bevaluable for aiding the diagnosis of pediatric AA. In addition, it can help discriminate simple and perforated appendicitis in children.