Bicytopenia revealing SARS-Cov-2 pneumonia in a 4 month old infant: A case report.

Background. Introduction: Only a few cases of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in infants have been reported, and the epidemiological, clinical presentation and the course of these patients are not yet fully understood. Clinical presentation: we report the case of a 4-month-old infant admitted to the intensive care unit for the management of a hemorrhagic syndrome which turned out to be Sars cov 2 pneumonia. Discussion: While research into the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, it appears that young children are less likely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 and their infection is less severe. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia would be less frequent and less serious in infants, but this should not make us omit this diagnosis in the face of acute respiratory distress, especially if there is an underlying family cluster.

Efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine in maintaining hemodynamic stability in pediatric cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Objectives: Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a highly selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, which is the main sedative in the intensive care unit. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness and adverse events of DEX in maintaining hemodynamic stability in pediatric cardiac surgery. Sources: Databases such as PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, WANFANG STATA and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched for articles about the application of DEX in maintaining hemodynamic stability during and after pediatric cardiac surgery up to 18th Feb. 2021. Only randomized controlled trials were included and random-effects model meta-analysis was applied to calculate the standardized mean deviation (SMD), odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Summary of the findings: Fifteen articles were included for this meta-analysis, and 9 articles for qualitative analysis. The results showed that preoperative prophylaxis and postoperative recovery of DEX in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery were effective in maintaining systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and reducing heart rate (HR) (SBP: SMD = -0.35,95% CI: -0.72, 0.01; MAP: SMD = -0.83, 95% CI: -1.87,0.21; DBP: SMD = -0.79,95% CI: -1.66,0.08; HR: SMD = -1.71,95% CI: -2.29, -1.13). In addition, the frequency of Junctional Ectopic Tachycardia in the DEX treatment group was lower than that in the placebo group. Conclusions: The application of DEX for preoperative prophylaxis and postoperative recovery in pediatric cardiac surgery patients are effective in maintaining hemodynamic stability, and the clinical dose of DEX is not significantly related to the occurrence of pediatric adverse events which may be related to individual differences.

Bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax in critically-ill COVID-19 infants: About two cases.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is an emerging infection, it is the first large-scale pandemic of the 21st century. Several complications have been described during this infection but spontaneous pneumothorax remains an uncommon complication, even more so in infants. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We report two cases of a 9-month-old and 18-month-old males admitted to our department for the management of an acute respiratory distress due to a COVID-19 infection associated to a spontaneous pneumothorax successfully drained.While one patient had a favorable outcome, the other was readmitted to our department for the management of a septic shock secondary to a urinary tract infection with a deadly outcome. DISCUSSION: In this paragraph we describe known causes behind spontaneous pneumothorax, before detailing the different pathogenesis hypotheses linking pneumothorax to COVID-19, all while comparing data to the literature related to the adult population. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous pneumothorax is a serious complication associated with severe COVID-19 that can occur in infants and must be considered in the event of a respiratory aggravation or a persistent hypoxia.

Efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine in maintaining hemodynamic stability in pediatric cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a highly selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, which is the main sedative in the intensive care unit. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness and adverse events of DEX in maintaining hemodynamic stability in pediatric cardiac surgery. SOURCES: Databases such as PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, WANFANG STATA and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched for articles about the application of DEX in maintaining hemodynamic stability during and after pediatric cardiac surgery up to 18th Feb. 2021. Only randomized controlled trials were included and random-effects model meta-analysis was applied to calculate the standardized mean deviation (SMD), odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Fifteen articles were included for this meta-analysis, and 9 articles for qualitative analysis. The results showed that preoperative prophylaxis and postoperative recovery of DEX in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery were effective in maintaining systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and reducing heart rate (HR) (SBP: SMD = -0.35,95% CI: -0.72, 0.01; MAP: SMD = -0.83, 95% CI: -1.87,0.21; DBP: SMD = -0.79,95% CI: -1.66,0.08; HR: SMD = -1.71,95% CI: -2.29, -1.13). In addition, the frequency of Junctional Ectopic Tachycardia in the DEX treatment group was lower than that in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: The application of DEX for preoperative prophylaxis and postoperative recovery in pediatric cardiac surgery patients are effective in maintaining hemodynamic stability, and the clinical dose of DEX is not significantly related to the occurrence of pediatric adverse events which may be related to individual differences.

Utility of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in infant patients with conservational endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: The indications for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in infant patients (age <1 year) differ from those in adults. A paucity of data and concerns about the potential lower effectiveness and more adverse effects limit its utility, even in tertiary care centres. In this study, we retrospectively analysed the indications, success rates, and adverse effects of ERCP in these groups. METHODS: From June 2014 to March 2018, 17 ERCPs were performed in 15 children [median age: 10.4 months (6-12 months); median weight: 6.6 kg (3.3-10.7 kg)]. A conventional duodenoscope was utilized in all procedures. All patients were followed up as inpatients. RESULTS: Fifteen therapeutic and two diagnostic procedures were managed by licensed paediatric endoscopist. Successful cannulation was obtained in all patients (100%). A high proportion (47.1%) of pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) and therapeutic procedures (88.2%) were identified. Two cases of mild pancreatitis were recorded, accounting for 12.5% of the post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) rate. By multivariable analysis, recurrent acute pancreatitis and pancreatic duct (PD) cannulation/injection were identified as PEP-related risk factors. All complications were managed conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP in infant patients (0.5< age <1 year) could be safely completed by conservational endoscopy. A high proportion of PBM and therapeutic procedures were identified in our study cohort. The overall adverse-event rate was acceptable, and no serious complication occurred. The PEP-related independent risk factors included recurrent acute pancreatitis and PD cannulation/injection.

Relationship between end-tidal carbon dioxide tension obtained from the distal ends of the tracheal tube and arterial pressure of carbon dioxide with the side stream capnometerin infants with congenital heart disease / 临床麻醉学杂志

Objective To determine the relationship between end-tidal carbon dioxide tension (PET CO 2 )obtained from the distal ends of the tracheal tube and arterial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO 2 ) compared with the sidestream capnometer in infants with congenital heart disease. Methods Twenty infants undergoing congenital heart disease surgery,12 males and 8 females,aged 3-48 months,ASA physical statusⅠ-Ⅲ were enrolled.Measurements of PET CO 2 were obtained from the distal ends of the tracheal tube using a sterile 22 G catheter that was inserted into the tube and from the proximal end with a sidestream capnometer in 20 intubated infants with congenital heart dis-ease.The data including PET CO 2 and the arterial PaCO 2 were obtained both after the anesthesia induc-tion and the CPB.Results The data of PET CO 2 obtained from the distal ends of the tracheal tube after the anesthesia induction [(36.8 ±2.7)mm Hg vs.(32.5 ± 1.4)mm Hg,P <0.05 ]and the CPB [(40.8±2.5)mm Hg vs.(36.5±1.6)mm Hg,P <0.05]were both higher than those from the proximal end with a sidestream capnometer.The difference between PaCO 2 and PET CO 2 obtained from the distal ends of the tracheal tube after the induction [(7.1 ±0.7)mm Hg vs.(1 1.4 ± 1.5 ) mm Hg,P <0.01]and the CPB [(9.3±1.2)mm Hg vs.(13.5±2.3)mm Hg,P <0.01]were sig-nificantly lower than that between PaCO 2 and PET CO 2 obtained from the proximal end.Distal side-stream PET CO 2 correlated with the PaCO 2 (R 2 =0.94 after induction and R 2 =0.93 after the CPB,P<0.05).However,the proximal PET CO 2 with the sidestream capnometer correlated very poorly with PaCO 2 whether after the induction (R 2 = 0.68,P < 0.05 )nor the CPB (R 2 = 0.66,P < 0.05 ). Conclusion We conclude that the PET CO 2 obtained from the distal ends of the tracheal tube provides accurate estimates of the PaCO 2 in critically ill infants with congenital heart disease.

Nasal continuous positive airway pressure in pediatric patients with respiratory failure after liver transplantation / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) in pediatric patients with respiratory failure after liver transplantation.Method A prospective? randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted during June 1st 2013 to June lst2015 in 71 pediatric patients with respiratory failure after liver transplantation.A total of 66 patients completed the trial and 5 patients quitted.Conventional oxygen therapy group included 35 cases and nCPAP group included 31 cases.The vital sign,blood-gas analysis,intra-abdominal pressure and prognosis were compared between the two groups.Result After nCPAP treatment,the heart rate,respiratory rate,and PCO2 decreased at 4 and 24 h (P＜0.05),oxygenation index was improved at 24 and 48 h (P＜0.05),and intra-abdominal pressure decreased at 48 h (P＜0.05).nCPAP showed better outcome than conventional oxygen therapy (P＜0.05).The incidence of refractory atelectasis,intra-abdominal hypertension,and epilepsy was higher in treatment failure population.Conclusion nCPAP is more suitable for pediatric patients with respiratory failure after liver transplantation,especially for those accompanied with intra-abdominal hypertension.