Variability in Definitions and Criteria of Extrauterine Growth Restriction and Its Association with Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Preterm Infants: A Narrative Review.

Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) has been used in the literature and clinical practice to describe inadequate growth in preterm infants. Significant variability is seen in the criteria for EUGR, with no standard definition reached to date. Moreover, no consensus on the optimal timing for assessment or the ideal growth monitoring tool has been achieved, and an ongoing debate persists on the appropriate terminology to express poor postnatal growth. To ensure an adequate understanding of growth and early intervention in preterm infants at higher risk, it is critical to relate the diagnostic criteria of EUGR to the ability to predict adverse outcomes, such as neurodevelopmental outcomes. This narrative review was conducted to present evidence that evaluates neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants with EUGR, comparing separately the different definitions of this concept by weight (cross-sectional, longitudinal and "true" EUGR). In this article, we highlight the challenges of comparing various published studies on the subject, even when subclassifying by the definition of EUGR, due to the significant variability on the criteria used for each definition and for the evaluation of neurodevelopmental outcomes in different papers. This heterogeneity compromises the obtention of a single firm conclusion on the relation between different definitions of EUGR and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Coronary Bypass in an Adolescent With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Acute Coronary Syndrome.

A 12-year-old female with active pediatric juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus presented to the emergency department because of episodes of oppressive central thoracic pain associated with pallor, sweating, and muscle weakness that persisted for >30 minutes. During the last episode, the electrocardiogram revealed alterations in cardiac repolarization coincident with progressive troponin T elevation. An angio computed tomography revealed a 20 mm long complete segmental obstruction of the proximal anterior descending artery that was confirmed by angiography. Because this extensive occlusion did not permit a noninvasive procedure, an off-pump coronary bypass of the internal mammary artery to the anterior descending artery was performed without complication. Six months after the procedure, myocardial function was good. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of an adolescent girl with acute coronary syndrome complicating juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus that was treated with a surgical procedure.

Lyme borreliosis in pediatric population: Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic features.

INTRODUCTION: Lyme borreliosis (LB) in the paediatric population is an understudied entity with certain peculiarities. The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics of paediatric patients with LB, and their diagnostic and therapeutic processes. METHODS: Descriptive and retrospective study in patients up to 14 years old with suspected or confirmed LB between 2015 and 2021. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients were studied: 18 with confirmed LB (50% women; median age 6.4 years old) and 3 false positive of the serology. Clinical features in the 18 patients with LB were: neurological (3, neck stiffness; 6, facial nerve palsy), dermatological (6, erythema migratory), articular (1), and non-specific manifestations (5). Serological diagnosis was confirmatory in 83.3% of cases. A total of 94.4% patients received antimicrobial treatment (median duration, 21 days). All recovered with resolution of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: LB diagnosis is difficult in the paediatric population and presents clinical and therapeutic peculiarities, with favourable prognosis.

Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors in patients with optic neuritis related to NMOSD and MOGAD in distinct ethnic groups from Latin America.

BACKGROUND: Optic neuritis (ON) can be an initial manifestation of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) associated with aquaporin 4-antibody (AQP4-Ab) or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOG-Ab)-associated disease (MOGAD). Additionally, both diseases may have overlapping paraclinical and radiological features. These diseases may have different outcomes and prognoses. We aimed to compare clinical outcomes and prognostic features of patients with NMOSD and MOGAD presenting ON as first attack, from different ethnic groups in Latin America. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational multicenter study in patients from Argentina (n = 61), Chile (n = 18), Ecuador (n = 27), Brazil (n = 30), Venezuela (n = 10) and Mexico (n = 49) with MOGAD or NMOSD related ON. Predictors of disability outcomes at last follow-up, namely visual disability (Visual Functional System Score ≥4), motor disability (permanent inability to walk further than 100 m unaided) and wheelchair dependence based on EDSS score were evaluated. RESULTS: After a mean disease duration of 42.7 (±40.2) months in NMOSD and 19.7 (±23.6) in MOGAD, 55% and 22% (p>0.001) experienced permanent severe visual disability (visual acuity from 20/100 to 20/200), 22% and 6% (p = 0.01) permanent motor disability and 11% and 0% (p = 0.04) had become wheelchair dependent, respectively. Older age at disease onset was a predictor of severe visual disability (OR=1,03 CI95%1.01-1.05, p = 0.03); older age at disease onset (OR=1,04 CI95%1.01-1.07, p = 0.01), higher number of relapses (OR=1,32 CI95%1.02-1.71, p = 0.03) and rituximab treatment (OR=0,36 CI95%0.14-0.90, p = 0.02) were predictors of permanent motor disability, whereas ON associated with myelitis at disease onset was a predictor of wheelchair dependency (OR=4,16, CI95%1.23-14.08, p = 0,02) in NMOSD patients. No differences were found when evaluating distinct ethnic groups (Mixed vs. Caucasian vs. Afro-descendant) CONCLUSIONS: NMOSD was associated with poorer clinical outcomes than MOGAD. Ethnicity was not associated with prognostic factors. Distinct predictors of permanent visual and motor disability and wheelchair dependency in NMOSD patients were found.

Therapeutic strategies in NMOSD and MOGAD patients: A multicenter cohort study in Latin America.

PURPOSE: This study describes the therapeutic strategies in NMOSD and MOGAD adopted by neurologists to treat both conditions in Latin America (LATAM) with main focus on rituximab (RTX) and the disease outcome. METHODS: retrospective study in a cohort of NMOSD and MOGAD patients followed in specialized MS/NMOSD centers from eight countries and 14 LATAM reference centers. Demographics and clinical characteristics were collected. RTX strategies on naïve (for rituximab) patients were summarized as follows: scheme A: two 1000 mg infusions 15 days apart and repeated every 6 months; scheme B: four 375 mg/m2 infusions every week for 4 weeks and repeated every 6 months; scheme C: one 1000 mg infusions and repeated every 6 months; scheme D: other scheme used. Relapse rate and adverse events during follow-up were analyzed considering the different RTX schemes. Poisson and logistic regression analysis were used to assess baseline aspects and disease activity during follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 217 patients were included. 197 were NMOSD patients (164, 83.2% AQP4-IgG seropositive and 16.7% seronegative) and 20 were MOGAD patients. The most frequent long-term treatment was RTX in both groups (48.2% and 65% for NMOSD and MOGAD patients, respectively). The most common RTX regimen used in 79 (83.1%) patients was two 1000 mg infusions 15 days apart and repeat every 6 months. Relapses under RTX treatment were observed in 21 (22.1%) patients. Relapses after RTX treatment were associated with higher EDSS (OR 1.75, 95%CI 1.44-2.34, p = 0.03) and higher ARR pre-RTX (OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.72-3.12, p = 0.002) but not with RTX regimen (OR = 1.10, 95% CI 0.89-1.21, p = 0.60). CONCLUSION: the most strategy used in LATAM was RTX with two 1000 mg infusions 15 days apart. Relapses during follow up were not associated with RTX regimen used.

Borreliosis de Lyme en población pediátrica: peculiaridades clínicas, diagnósticas y terapéuticas / Lyme borreliosis in pediatric population: Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic features

Introducción: La borreliosis de Lyme (BL) es una entidad poco estudiada en pediatría, pero con ciertas peculiaridades. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer las características de los pacientes pediátricos con sospecha y/o confirmación de BL. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo en menores de 14 años con diagnóstico clínico y/o serológico, sospechoso o confirmado, de BL entre 2015 y 2021. Resultados: Se estudiaron 21 pacientes: 18 con diagnóstico final de BL (50% mujeres; mediana de edad 6,4 años) y 3 falsos positivos. En los casos de BL, las manifestaciones clínicas presentadas fueron: neurológicas (3, meningitis; 6, parálisis facial), dermatológicas (6, eritema migratorio), articulares (uno) e inespecíficas (2). El diagnóstico serológico fue confirmatorio en el 83,3% de los casos. El 94,4% recibió antibioterapia (mediana de duración 21 días) y la evolución fue satisfactoria en todos los casos. Conclusiones: El diagnóstico de la BL es difícil en la población pediátrica y presenta peculiaridades clínicas y terapéuticas, pero el pronóstico es favorable.(AU)

Introduction: Lyme borreliosis (LB) in the paediatric population is an understudied entity with certain peculiarities. The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics of paediatric patients with LB, and their diagnostic and therapeutic processes. Methods: Descriptive and retrospective study in patients up to 14 years old with suspected or confirmed LB between 2015 and 2021. Results: A total of 21 patients were studied: 18 with confirmed LB (50% women; median age 6.4 years old) and 3 false positive of the serology. Clinical features in the 18 patients with LB were: neurological (3, meningitis; 6, facial nerve palsy), dermatological (6, erythema migrans), articular (one), and non-specific manifestations (2). Serological diagnosis was confirmatory in 83.3% of cases. A total of 94.4% patients received antimicrobial treatment (median duration 21 days). All recovered with resolution of symptoms. Conclusions: LB diagnosis is difficult in the paediatric population and presents clinical and therapeutic peculiarities, with favourable prognosis.(AU)

Descripción clínica y epidemiológica de un brote grave de salmonelosis en una escuela infantil urbana / Clinical and epidemiologic description of a severe outbreak of Salmonellosis in an urban nursery school

Objetivos. Se describe clínica y epidemiológicamente unbrote de infección gastrointestinal por Salmonella entéricaser. (serotipo) Enteritidis, en una escuela infantil urbana, queconllevó elevada morbilidad e importante alarma social. La comunicación inmediata, así como el estudio adecuado del brote,en ambas vertientes, permitieron identificar el patógeno y establecer medidas de control en un plazo razonable de tiempo.Se discuten aspectos controvertidos como la indicación de antibioterapia o el momento de cierre del centro.Material y métodos. Se recogió retrospectivamente información clínica, analítica y epidemiológica, y se revisó la metodología y resultados del estudio del brote.Resultados. 57 niños (3-45 meses) de 92 asistentes al centro, fueron afectados y tuvieron confirmación microbiológica.Diarrea y fiebre fueron los principales síntomas. 74% acudieronal hospital, y 37% ingresaron, (estancia media 3,3 días). Fueronfactores asociados al ingreso: deshidratación, elevación significativa de reactantes de fase aguda y coagulopatía. 12 recibieroncefotaxima parenteral. Se registraron 2 complicaciones: 1 bacteriemia y 1 reingreso. La sospecha inicial del origen del brotefueron los alimentos, pero el análisis de las muestras testigofue negativo. 5 trabajadores fueron positivos (2 sintomáticos).Vigilancia Epidemiológica concluyó que el origen probable delbrote fue un portador asintomático y la manipulación incorrectade pañales. El centro permaneció cerrado 8 días. Se realizaronmedidas de limpieza y desinfección, instrucción sobre cambio depañales y seguimiento de portadores.Conclusiones. La agrupación en tiempo y espacio de casos debe ser notificada inmediatamente para el control precozdel brote. Los niños pueden presentar formas graves de gastroenteritis por Salmonella. (AU)

Objectives. We describe clinically and epidemiologically anoutbreak of gastrointestinal infection by Salmonella entericaser. (serotype) Enteritidis in an urban infant school, which ledto high morbidity and significant social alarm. The immediatecommunication, as well as the adequate study of the outbreak, inboth aspects, allowed identifying the pathogen and establishingcontrol measures in a reasonable period of time. Controversialaspects such as the indication of antibiotherapy or the momentof closing the center are discussed.Methods. We retrospectively collected clinical, analyticaland epidemiological information and we reviewed themethodology of the outbreak study and its results.Results. A total of 57 children (3-45 months), wereaffected and had microbiological confirmation. Diarrhea andfever were the main symptoms. 74% went to the hospital and37% were admitted (mean stay 3.3 days). Factors associatedwith admission were: dehydration, significant elevation ofacute phase reactants and coagulopathy. Twelve patientsreceived parenteral cefotaxime. There were 2 complications:1 bacteremia and 1 readmission. The initial suspicion ofthe origin of the outbreak was food, but the analysis of thecontrol samples was negative. Five workers were positive (2symptomatic). Epidemiologic Surveillance concluded that theprobable origin of the outbreak was an asymptomatic carrierand improper diapers handling. The center was closed for 8days. Cleaning and disinfection measures were carried out, aswell as instruction on diaper changing, and the carriers werefollowedConclusions. Clustering in time and space of cases shouldbe reported immediately for early control of the outbreak.Children may present severe forms of Salmonella gastroenteritis (AU)

Chiasmatic lesions on conventional magnetic resonance imaging during the first event of optic neuritis in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-associated disease in a Latin American cohort.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Optic neuritis (ON) is often the initial symptom of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-associated disease (MOGAD). We aimed to compare the frequency and pattern of chiasmatic lesions in MOGAD-related ON (MOGAD-ON) and NMOSD-related ON (NMOSD-ON) using conventional brain imaging (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) in Latin America (LATAM). METHODS: We reviewed the medical records and brain MRI (≤30 days from ON onset) of patients with a first event of MOGAD-ON and NMOSD-ON. Patients from Argentina (n = 72), Chile (n = 21), Ecuador (n = 31), Brazil (n = 30), Venezuela (n = 10) and Mexico (n = 82) were included. Antibody status was tested using a cell-based assay. Demographic, clinical, imaging and prognostic (as measured by the Visual Functional System Score [VFSS] of the Expanded Disability Status Scale) data were compared. RESULTS: A total of 246 patients (208 NMOSD and 38 MOGAD) were included. No differences were found in gender and ethnicity between the groups. We observed chiasmatic lesions in 66/208 (31.7%) NMOSD-ON and in 5/38 (13.1%) MOGAD-ON patients (p = 0.01). Of these patients with chiasmatic lesions, 54/66 (81.8%) and 4/5 had associated longitudinally extensive optic nerve lesions, 45/66 (68%) and 4/5 had bilateral lesions, and 31/66 (47%) and 4/5 showed gadolinium-enhancing chiasmatic lesions, respectively. A positive correlation was observed between VFSS and presence of bilateral (r = 0,28, p < 0.0001), chiasmatic (r = 0.27, p = 0.0001) and longitudinally extensive lesions (r = 0,25, p = 0.0009) in the NMOSD-ON group, but no correlations were observed in the MOGAD-ON group. CONCLUSIONS: Chiasmatic lesions were significantly more common in NMOSD than in MOGAD during an ON attack in this LATAM cohort. Further studies are needed to assess the generalizability of these results.

Dissemination of a multidrug resistant CTX-M-65 producer Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis clone between marketed chicken meat and children.

The objective of the present study was to characterize Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis isolated from chicken meat determining their clonal relationships with S. Infantis isolated from children with diarrhea. Fifteen meat-recovered S. Infantis were analyzed. Susceptibility levels to 14 antibacterial agents, the presence of ESBL and that of inducible plasmid-mediated AmpC (i-pAmpC) were determined by phenotypical methods. The presence of ESBL and pAmpC was confirmed by PCR, and detected ESBL-encoding genes were sequenced and their transferability tested by conjugation. The presence of gyrA mutations as well as Class 1 integrons was determined by PCR. Clonal relationships were established by REP-PCR and RAPD. In addition, 25 clinical isolates of S. Infantis were included in clonality studies. All meat-recovered S. Infantis were MDR, showing resistance to ampicillin, nitrofurans and quinolones, while none was resistant to azithromycin, ceftazidime or imipenem. ESBL (blaCTX-M-65) and i-pAmpC (blaDHA) were detected in 2 and 5 isolates respectively (in one case concomitantly), with blaCTX-M-65 being transferable through conjugation. In addition, 1 isolate presented a blaSHV gene. All isolates presented D87Y at GyrA, nalidixic acid active efflux pump and a Class 1 integron of ~1000 bp (aadA1). Clonal analysis showed that all isolates were related. Further they were identical to MDR blaCTX-M-65-producing S. Infantis isolates causing children diarrhea in Lima. The dissemination of MDR blaCTX-M-65-producing S. Infantis between marketed meat and children highlights a public health problem which needs be controlled at livestock level.

COVID-19 in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients in Latin America: COVID-19 in MS and NMOSD patients in LATAM.

BACKGROUND: There is no data regarding COVID-19 in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients in Latin America. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients included in RELACOEM, a LATAM registry of MS and NMOSD patients infected with COVID-19. METHODS: RELACOEM is a longitudinal, strictly observational registry of MS and NMOSD patients who suffer COVID-19 and Dengue in LATAM. Inclusion criteria to the registry were either: (1) a biologically confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis based on a positive result of a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on a nasopharyngeal swab; or (2) COVID-19-typical symptoms (triad of cough, fever, and asthenia) in an epidemic zone of COVID-19. Descriptive statistics were performed on demographic and clinical variables. The cohort was later stratified for MS and NMOSD and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify variables associated with hospitalizations/intensive critical units (ICU) admission. RESULTS: 145 patients were included in the registry from 15 countries and 51 treating physicians. A total of 129 (89%) were MS patients and 16 (11%) NMOSD. 81.4% patients had confirmed COVID-19 and 18.6% were suspected cases. 23 (15.8%) patients were hospitalized, 9 (6.2%) required ICU and 5 (3.4 %) died due to COVID-19. In MS patients, greater age (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05 - 1.25) and disease duration (OR 1.39, 95%CI 1.14-1.69) were associated with hospitalization/ICU. In NMOSD patients, a greater age (54.3 vs. 36 years, p=<0.001), increased EDSS (5.5 vs 2.9, p=0.0012) and disease duration (18.5 vs. 10.3 years, p=0.001) were significantly associated with hospitalization/ICU. CONCLUSION: we found that in MS patients, age and disease duration was associated with hospitalization and ICU admission requirement, while age, disease duration and EDSS was associated in NMOSD.

Herniorrafía con la técnica de Lichtenstein versus Nyhus en el manejo de las hernias inguinales y sus complicaciones postoperatorias en un hospital del Perú / Hernia repair comparing Lichtenstein and Nyhus techniques for the management of inguinal hernia and its postoperative complications in a Peruvian hospital

Objetivo: Determinar la incidencia de complicaciones tempranas y tardías según técnicas de Lichtenstein y Nyhus en el manejo de hernias inguinales en el Hospital Militar Central (HMC). Material y métodos: Transversalmente se analizaron todos los casos de hernia inguinal tratados quirúrgicamente en el HMC durante el período 2012-2014. Resultados: 202 casos (65%, varones) fueron analizados, de los cuales el 11% y el 89% fueron operados con las técnicas de Nyhus y Lichtenstein, respectivamente. Al comparar ambas técnicas no se encontraron diferencias en sus tiempos quirúrgicos (43,0±13,6 vs. 39,1±8,9 minutos; p=0,140), tiempos de hospitalización (3,9±1,2 vs. 3,8±0,8 días; p=0,635) e incidencia de complicaciones tardías (4% vs. 0%; p=0,603), pero sí al comparar la incidencia de complicaciones tempranas (17% vs. 0%; p=0.028). Las complicaciones tempranas y tardías más frecuentes fueron de tipo neuralgias (12% vs. 0%) y recurrencias (3% vs. 0%), respectivamente. Al análisis de regresión se encontró que tanto el tiempo quirúrgico (Odds ratio (OR); 1,07; Intervalo de confianza (IC) al 95%: 1,04-1,11) como el tiempo de hospitalización (OR: 1,55; IC 95%: 1,10-2,19) se encontraban significativamente asociados la ocurrencia de complicaciones tempranas. Conclusiones: En la experiencia del HMC ambas técnicas, Lichtenstein y Nyhus, demostraron ser alternativas seguras en el manejo quirúrgico de hernias inguinales, siendo las complicaciones tempranas más frecuentes con la técnica de Lichtenstein y, en ambos casos, más frecuentes mientras mayor el tiempo quirúrgico y el tiempo de hospitalización

Objective: To determine the frequency of early and late complications using the Lichtenstein and Nyhus techniques for the management of inguinal hernias in the Peruvian Military Central Hospital. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was performed, in which we analyzed the all gases of inguinal hernia that underwent surgical repair during the 2012-2014 period. Results: Two hundred and two cases were analyzed (65% from male subjects), of which 11% and 89% were operated using the Nyhus and Lichtenstein techniques, respectively. When comparing both techniques, no differences were found in terms of surgical time (43.0 ± 13.6 vs. 39.1 ± 8.9 minutes; p= 0.140), hospitalization duration (3.9 ± 1.2 vs. 3.8 ± 0.8 days; p= 0.635), and late complications (4% vs. 0%; p= 0.603), but we found significant differences in the frequency of early complications (17% vs. 0%; p= 0.028). The most frequent early and late complications were neuralgia (12% vs. 0%) and recurrence (3% vs. 0%), respectively. Using the logistic regression analysis we found that both the operating time (odds ratio (OR): 1.07; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-1.11) and the length of hospitalization (OR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.10-2.19), were significantly associated with the occurrence of early complications. Conclusions: In the experience of the Peruvian Military Central Hospital both Lichtenstein and Nyhus techniques proved to be quite safe for the surgical management of inguinal hernias. Early complications were more frequently observed with the Lichtenstein technique; and, with both techniques, complications were more frequent with longer surgical times and prolonged hospitalization times