A two-phased study on the use of remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) in paediatric care.

Background: Advancements in medical technologies have led to the development of contact-free methods of haemodynamic monitoring such as remote photoplethysmography (rPPG). rPPG uses video cameras to interpret variations in skin colour related to blood flow, which are analysed to generate vital signs readings. rPPG potentially ameliorates problems like fretfulness and fragile skin contact associated with conventional probes in children. While rPPG has been validated in adults, no prior validation has been performed in children. Methods: A two-phased prospective cross-sectional single-centre study was conducted from January to April 2023 to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and accuracy of obtaining heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) using rPPG in children, compared to the current standard of care. In Phase 1, we recruited patients ≤16 years from the neonatal and paediatric wards. We excluded preterm neonates with gestational age <35 weeks and newborns <24 hours old. The rPPG webcam was positioned 30 cm from the face. After 1 minute of facial scanning, readings generated were compared with pulse oximetry for HR and SpO2, and manual counting for RR. Correlation and Bland-Altman analyses were performed. In Phase 2, we focused on the population in whom there was potential correlation between rPPG and the actual vital signs. Results: Ten neonates and 28 children aged 5 to 16 years were recruited for Phase 1 (765 datapoints). All patients were haemodynamically stable and normothermic. Patients and caregivers showed high acceptability to rPPG. rPPG values were clinically discrepant for children <10 years. For those ≥10 years, moderate correlation was observed for HR, with Spearman's correlation coefficient (Rs) of 0.50 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.42, 0.57]. We performed Phase 2 on 23 patients aged 12 to 16 years (559 datapoints). Strong correlation was observed for HR with Rs=0.82 (95% CI: 0.78, 0.85). There was weak correlation for SpO2 and RR (Rs=-0.25 and -0.02, respectively). Conclusions: Our study showed that rPPG is acceptable and feasible for neonates and children aged 5 to 16 years, and HR values in older children aged 12 to 16 years correlated well with the current standard. The rPPG algorithms need to be further refined for younger children, and for obtaining RR and SpO2 in all children. If successful, rPPG will provide a viable contact-free alternative for assessing paediatric vital signs, with potential use in remote monitoring and telemedicine.

Incarcerated hernia with ileal perforation in an extreme preterm infant.

We describe a case of a premature 24 weeks gestation infant who presented with clinical lability and abdominal distention with initial concerns of necrotising enterocolitis. On further examination, a right inguinal hernia was noted and serial abdominal X-rays showed bowel loop dilatation with intramural air and no perforation. However, the hernia was recurrent and later found to be not reducible. He underwent right groin exploration. Intraoperatively, distal ileal perforation was noted and he was found to have an additional five sites of perforation. He had a stoma sited at the left iliac fossa as well as primary anastomosis at the site of the second to fifth perforations. He had a stormy postoperative period but is currently doing well. Although obstructed hernias are rare in the initial course of an extreme preterm infant, it should not be missed as a cause of intestinal obstruction and early surgical opinion should be sought.

HIDEA syndrome: A rare cause of congenital hypoventilation in a premature infant.

BACKGROUND: HIDEA (hypotonia, hypoventilation, intellectual disability, dysautonomia, epilepsy and eye abnormalities) syndrome is a rare and novel disease. We describe a premature patient who required extensive work up for his hypoventilation with a diagnosis of HIDEA syndrome. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient was born to a pair of consanguineous parents at 32-week gestation. His intermittent bradypnoea requiring significant respiratory support during his postnatal clinical course was atypical for bronchopulmonary dysplasia and this required further extensive work up to look for a cause for his hypoventilation. A trio whole exon sequencing was done which identified homozygous variants in P4HTM, in keeping with the diagnosis of autosomal recessive HIDEA syndrome. He is currently doing well on BiPAP 18 cm H2O / 8 cm H2O, Rate 30 breaths per minute in room air and full nasogastric feeding. He also has cortical blindess and severe global developmental delay. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis is crucial to optimise adequate ventilatory management including early tracheostomy as many require lifelong continuous or intermittent ventilation. This minimises the complications of chronic hypoxia and reduces mortality risk.

Epidemiology and Management of Children with Hypertensive Crisis: A Single-Center Experience.

Most children who present with hypertensive crisis have a secondary cause for hypertension. This study describes the epidemiology and management of children with hypertensive crisis. A retrospective cohort study was done in a tertiary pediatric hospital from 2009 to 2015. Thirty-seven patients were treated for hypertensive crisis. Twelve (32.4%) patients were treated for hypertensive emergency. The majority of our patients (33 [89.1%]) had a secondary cause of hypertension. The most common identifiable cause of hypertension was a renal pathology (18/37 [48.6%]). Oral nifedipine (23 [62.1%]) was the most frequently used antihypertensive, followed by intravenous labetalol (8 [21.6%]). There were no mortalities or morbidities. Hypertensive crisis in children is likely secondary in nature. Oral nifedipine and intravenous labetalol are both effective treatments.