Botox injection in treatment of sialorrhea in children with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of sialorrhea (drooling) in children with cerebral palsy is one of the important complications of this disease, which is associated with the impaired quality of life of patients and also the dissatisfaction of their parents. Botox injection in the salivary glands is one of the treatment methods that has recently received special attention in these patients, but there are still many challenges regarding its effectiveness and safety. We aimed to test the effectiveness and safety of botulinum toxin type A in reducing sialorrhea in children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: This semi-experimental before-after study was performed on 12 children who suffering from sialorrhea. The ethics code of this project is IR.MUI.MED.REC.1400.774 and the clinical trial registry code is IRCT20220516054868N1 (https://www.irct.ir/trial/64393). In each of the parotid and submandibular glands, an amount of 0.5 U/kg of botulinum toxin type A was injected by ultrasound guidance under general anesthesia. Before and 6 months after the intervention, the severity and frequency of drooling were tested by Drooling Frequency and Severity Scale. RESULTS: We found a decreasing trend in the severity and frequency scores for drooling within one month; however, after that time, until the end of the 24th week, we saw an increasing trend in the intensity and frequency of this complication. Only two-thirds of parents were satisfied with the therapeutic protocol. Side effects related to botox injection were revealed in 25.0% mostly as dysphagia. CONCLUSION: Botox injection in salivary glands is not a definitive and stable treatment in the treatment of sialorrhea in children with cerebral palsy.

The association between Sodium Urinary Discharge (FENa) and growth parameters in pediatrics with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Given the association between chronic sodium losses and growth parameters and establishment of normal weight gain and linear growth in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), in this study, we aimed to evaluate the sodium status in Iranian CF patients and its association with their growth parameters. METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 44 children with CF were included. Serum and urinary sodium and creatinine levels were measured in patients, and the fractional excretion of sodium was calculated. The patients categorized in groups with FENa <0.5%, between 0.5% and 1.5% and >1.5%. Growth parameters were compared in the group, and its association with FENa level was evaluated. RESULTS: In this study, 44 (27 boys and 17 girls) children with CF were included. Mean age of the studied population was 55.63 (33.2) months. In the studied patients with CF, 90.9% had a z score of -2_+2 (normal range) for BMI, 72.7% for weight, and 70% for height. From children with CF, 18 (40.9%) had FENa less than 0.5, 17 (38.6%) had FENA between 0.5-1.5, and 9 had FENa >1.5. From studied patients with CF, 16 (88.9%) had normal serum Na levels, but the FENa was ≤0.5. Based on the Spearman correlation test, there was not any significant correlation between FENa classification and the Z score of weight (P=0.92), height (P=0.83), and BMI (P=0.99). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that most patients with a low level of FENa had normal serum sodium levels. We did not find a significant association between FENa and growth parameters. The association had a trend to be significant for BMI. It is suggested that it may be due to appropriate follow-up of the studied population. However, it is recommended to plan more studies by including healthy subjects to obtain results that are more accurate.

Evaluation of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Children with Cystic Fibrosis.

Background: Due to chronic respiratory and gastrointestinal problems, growth failure is a common issue in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in CF children with stable gastrointestinal and respiratory conditions. Materials and Methods: In this study, the growth indicators of all 4-16-year-old children referred to two CF clinics were monitored over 3 years. Children without severe gastrointestinal or pulmonary symptoms with weight <3% percentile or whose height increase were two standard deviations below their expected height growth over 6 months were selected for the growth hormone (GH) stimulation test by clonidine and L-dopa test. Some of the children without CF, who were also referred for height growth disorders and matched the CF group, were considered the control group. They underwent the GH stimulation test, and the results were compared. Results: From 150 patients with CF, growth failure was observed in 24 patients with stable gastrointestinal and respiratory conditions; in 10 of them, the GH stimulation test was deficient. The prevalence of GHD was 6.6% in CF patients. In the control group of 30 children without CF, but with growth failure, the GH was deficient in nine cases, implying no significant difference with the case group (P = 0.37). Conclusion: In our study, the prevalence of GHD was 6.6% in CF patients, whereas the prevalence GHD in the normal population of childhood is <1%. Therefore, further studies should be designed to investigate the cause of GHD in CF patients.

Correlation between Stable Hyperglycemia and Mortality in Children Admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Imam Hossein Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Stress-induced hyperglycemia is an important issue among pediatrics admitted in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Former studies have declared that hyperglycemia has a high prevalence rate and could increase the risks of mortality among pediatrics. Here, we aimed to investigate the prevalence rate of hyperglycemia and its effects on mortality among pediatrics in the PICU of the hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in 2018-2019 on 88 patients admitted in PICU. Data regarding blood sugar (BS) and other clinical and laboratory parameters were collected. Hyperglycemia was accounted for as BS of >126 mg/dl. Hyperglycemia was divided into: mild (126 200). The pediatric risk of mortality (PRISM) score was also calculated for each patient during the first 24 h. RESULTS: Thirty patients (34.1%) had persistent hyperglycemia and 58 patients (65.9%) had normal glycemic indexes. Eleven patients (12.5%) had mild, 9 patients (10.2%) had moderate, and 10 patients (11.4%) had severe hyperglycemia. The prevalence of mortality was 5.7% among hyperglycemic patients and 6.8% among normal glycemic pediatrics. There were no statistically significant differences regarding mortality rate (P = 0.499). The mean PRISM score for normal glycemic patients was 7.03 ± 5.18 and for patients with hyperglycemia was 7.36 ± 6.37. CONCLUSION: Hyperglycemia has no significant effects on mortality and PRISM score of pediatrics in PICU, despite of the previous studies. The frequency of hyperglycemia was also 5.7% among the patients admitted in PICU.

The fractional excretion of sodium in patients with cystic fibrosis treated with oral sodium chloride.

Background: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a chronic disease associated with low sodium status. The patients are usually treated with oral sodium chloride to control the side effects of low sodium status. Therefore, the fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) was assessed in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) treated with oral sodium chloride (NaCl). Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study that was conducted on forty children with cystic fibrosis who were under treatment with oral NaCl and were referred to Imam Hossein Hospital-Isfahan-Iran between 2017 to 2019. The patients were under treated with 2-4 mEq/kg per day oral NaCl and urinary and plasma sodium and creatinine, as well as FENa, were assessed after three months of taking NaCl. Also the patients were compared in terms of efficacy of treatment based on sodium level (between 135 and 145 mmol/L) and acceptable FENa level (between 0.5% and 1.5%). The sensitivity and specificity of FeNa and plasma sodium were assessed with ROC curve test. Results: Plasma sodium was normal in 65% of treated patients, and FENa was also normal range in 47.5% of treated patients. The treatment also was desirable for 35% of the patients. The sensitivity and specificity of FeNa were 42.9% and 57.7%, respectively, and the sensitivity and specificity of plasma sodium were 85.7% and 26.9%, respectively. Conclusion: Using of plasma sodium had higher sensitivity than FeNa and FeNa had higher specificity than plasma sodium to follow up of patients with CF.

Efficacy and safety of oral sildenafil in cystic fibrosis children with mild to moderate lung disease.

BACKGROUND: Airway inflammation due to chronic infection is the leading cause of respiratory failure and death in most of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). There is some evidence about anti-inflammatory activity of phosphodiesterase inhibitors in adult patients with CF. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of sildenafil (a phosphodiesterase inhibitor drug) in children with CF. METHOD: This uncontrolled before-after study was conducted on 20 children with CF (mean age 14 ± 2.8 years, 50% male) with mild to moderate lung disease who were referred to CF clinic of Imam Hossein hospital in Isfahan, Iran. The patients received oral sildenafil (1 mg/kg p.o tid for 3 months). Changes in spirometric values, maximal exercise capacity, and patient-reported health by using the cystic fibrosis questionnaire-revised (CFQ-R) were evaluated before and after treatment. RESULT: CFQ-R (69.54 ± 4.6 vs 76.90 ± 5.4; P < .001) and exercise duration (401 ± 45.6 vs 497 ± 60.1 second; P < .01) increased following sildenafil therapy. In contrast, the forced expiratory value (FEV1; 84.60 ± 13.67 vs 78.40 ± 12.95; P < .001) and FEF25-75 (77.80 ± 27.33 vs 69.20 ± 21.91; P = .004) showed significant decreases. However, the mean of FEV1 /forced vital capacity did not change significantly during the study (P = .682). CONCLUSIONS: Although sildenafil can improve the quality of life and exercise capacities in CF children, it significantly decreases lung function. So, administration of this drug for CF children should be reconsidered.

The impact of poor glycemic control on lipid profile variables in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and its related comorbidities are considered an important health issue. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of glycemic control on lipid profile variables in children with T1DM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 274 children (≤19 years of age) with T1DM who had referred to the outpatient clinics of endocrinology in Emam-Hossein Hospital of Isfahan, Iran. Based on American Diabetes Association criteria, patients were divided into two groups including optimal glycemic control (OGC) and poor glycemic control (PGC). Mean lipid level and frequencies of lipid profile abnormalities between the two studied groups were compared. RESULTS: Mean age of the studied population was 13 ± 5.9 years and 133 (48.5%) were boys. A total of 162 (59.1%) and 112 (40.9%) patients had PGC and OGC, respectively. Hypercholesterolemia was the most common dyslipidemia in both groups (33 [29.1%] of OGC and 63 [39.1%] of PGC patients). The frequency of high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was significantly higher in patients with PGC than those with OCG (P = 0.007). The frequencies of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and low levels of high-density lipoprotein were also higher in PGC group, but did not reach the significant threshold. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that glycemic control is in association with lipid profile abnormality in patients with T1DM. High LDL was significantly more frequent in patients with PGC than those with OGC. It is recommended to investigate the role of glycemic control on other cardiometabolic risk factors of T1DM patients. Our findings could be used for planning preventative strategies for reducing T1DM-related cardiovascular disease.

Association of childhood croup and increased incidence of airway hyperreactivity in adulthood.

BACKGROUND: Some evidence suggests that childhood croup could be associated with increased incidence of adulthood bronchial reactivity, but its significance is uncertain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of early life croup. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This case-control study was conducted in 2010-2012 in Isfahan, Iran. The case group consisted of 164 adolescents with a history of severe croup in early life and an equal number of healthy controls without any history of croup or other chronic or recurrent respiratory diseases. The two groups were compared according to pulmonary function tests and bronchial reactivity (exercise challenge test). Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software package, version 20 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Baseline spirometric values (forced expiratory volume in 1st s (FEV1), forced volume capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, and forced expiratory flow at 25%-75% (FEF25-75) were similar in case and control groups. A reduction in FEV1 and FEF25-75 after exercise challenge test was seen in 9% and 12.8% of patients, respectively, whereas this was reduced in only 4.2% and 6.1% of the controls (P = 0.034 and P = 0.021, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that childhood croup might be a predisposing factor for bronchial hyperreactivity in adulthood. Longitudinal studies are necessary to confirm the clinical significance of these findings.

Seroprevalence of ToxocaraCanis in Asthmatic Children and its Relation to the Severity of Diseases - a Case-Control Study.

Background: Toxocariasis is a common parasitic infectionworldwide even in developed countries. Through this health problem, the immune system is triggered and the antibody is produced, leading to some hypersensitive situations like asthma. In the present study, we tried to show a correlation between Toxocara Canis (T. canis) seropositivityand asthma in Isfahan city. Methods: This research is a cross-sectional study involving 40 asthmatics and 46 non-asthmatic cases aged 2-18 years. In all cases, T. canis IgG level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared between two groups. Results: The seroprevalence of IgG anti-T. canis antibodies were 45%in the asthmatic patients and 21.7% in thecontrols (P= 0.022). The more severe asthmatic patients had significantly more risk for T. canis seropositivity (P= 0.019). In the asthmatic patients, there was a significant correlation between Toxocara seropositivity and goingto park or playground (P= 0.001). Conclusion: In this study, we found a significantly positive serology of T. canis in asthmatic children especially in more severe disease. To verify the etiologic role of Toxocara in asthma, more advanced studies are needed.

A Comparison between the Bedside Sonographic Measurements of the Inferior Vena Cava Indices and the Central Venous Pressure While Assessing the Decreased Intravascular Volume in Children.

BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic monitoring is an essential part in the treatment of critically ill patients. Establishment of intravascular volume and creation of a normal systemic perfusion are the most important part to reduce the risk of organ failure and mortality. This study aimed to determine the correlation between the inferior vena cava (IVC) sonographic indices and the central venous pressure (CVP) to provide a useful guide for noninvasive intravascular volume status assessment in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Target sample of children who were admitted to the pediatric critical care unit and required CVP monitoring were enrolled in this study. The collapsibility index (CI) and IVC/aorta (AO) ratio, from bedside ultrasonography measurement of the IVC, were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 70 participants, 22 patients (31.4%) revealed a CVP of 8 mm/Hg or less and 48 patients (68.6%) revealed a CVP >8 mm/Hg. Fifty-six patients (80%) had an IVC-CI of 0.5 or greater and 17 patients (24.3%) had an IVC/AO of 0.8 or less. IVC-CI index is 45.5% sensitive and 91.7% specific with positive predictive value of 71.4 and negative predictive value of 78.6 to predict CVP <8, and the IVC/AO index is 50.8% sensitive and 87.5% specific with a positive predictive value of 64.7 and a negative predictive value of 79.2 to predict CVP <8. CONCLUSION: Based on the present finding, the IVC sonographic indices provide a useful guide for noninvasive intravascular volume status assessment in children.

Comparison of Interleukin-33 Serum Levels in Asthmatic Patients with a Control Group and Relation with the Severity of the Disease.

BACKGROUND: The relation between interleukin-33 (IL-33) and asthma is not precisely known yet. The present study set to compare the serum level of IL-33 in patients with asthma and controls and study the relation with the severity of disease. METHODS: The serum level of IL-33 and total IgE in 89 asthmatic patients and 57 controls were analyzed. The association of levels of IL-33 with the severity of disease, levels of total IgE, measures of spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1]), age, sex, presence or absence of other allergic diseases, and the disease duration was evaluated. RESULTS: Higher levels of IL-33 and total IgE were detected in asthmatic patients compared with controls (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.008, respectively). In the asthmatic group, a significant direct association of IL-33 with age (P = 0.02, R = 0.23) and with total IgE level (P = 0.003, R = 0.31) were observed, but there was no relationship between other variables. Comparison of mean level of IL-33 in different asthma groups concerning the disease severity showed the statistically significant difference between them and a significant increased serum level of total IgE was observed in more severe disease. The results showed a significant negative correlation between FEV1 and total IgE (P = 0.028, R = -0.23) and IL-33 level (P = 0.0001, R = -0.83). CONCLUSIONS: IL-33 is suggested as a new inflammatory marker of severe and refractory asthma. Therefore, it may be a unique therapeutic target in these patients.

Cystic fibrosis prevalence among a group of high-risk children in the main referral children hospital in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about cystic fibrosis (CF) in Iran is very limited. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of CF among a group of high-risk children with suggestive clinical features in the main referral hospital in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study children consisted of 505 patients who had presented with one or more of the following symptoms: chronic or recurrent respiratory symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms as rectal prolapse, steatorrhea, hepatobiliary disease as prolonged jaundice, failure to thrive, hyperglycemia and glycosuria, hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis, hypoprothrombinemia, anemia or edema, and positive family history of CF. Patients were screened using pilocarpine iontophoresis to collect sweat and chemical analysis of its chloride content with classic Gibson and Cooke technique. RESULTS: Of 505 patients, 89 (17.6%) had positive sweat chloride screening test. Five (1%) patients had required cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductive regulator protein mutation analysis to confirm CF. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that in Iran, CF is more common than what previously anticipated. Larger studies are warranted to identify the incidence, molecular basis, and clinical pattern of CF in the Iranian population.

Lexical Retrieval or Semantic Knowledge? Which One Causes Naming Errors in Patients with Mild and Moderate Alzheimer's Disease?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to analyze naming errors in patients with Alz-heimer's disease in comparison to healthy subjects and determine the underlying cause of naming errors in these patients. METHOD: In this study, we included 35 healthy elderly subjects, 23 patients with mild Alzheimer's disease, and 23 with moderate Alzheimer's disease. Forty-five images were used to determine the type of naming errors, and to identify the underlying cause of errors, matching an image with a written word was used. RESULTS: Patients with Alz-heimer's disease had more naming errors compared with the group of healthy elderly, and patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease showed a slower reaction in matching an image with a written word. CONCLUSION: Anomia in the initial phase of Alzheimer's disease is due to problems in lexical retrieval; however, as the disease advances, in addition to lexical retrieval problems, conceptual knowledge causes naming problems.

Erratum to: Nebulized Magnesium Sulfate in Acute Bronchiolitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

In the original article, the authors failed to cite the study by Kose M et al. entitled "The efficacy of nebulized salbutamol, magnesium sulfate and salbutamol/magnesium sulfate combination in moderate bronchiolitis. Eur J Pediatr 2014;173: 1157-1160" as the first in literature to assess the efficacy of magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute bronchiolitis. The authors apologize for this unintentional omission.

Nebulized Magnesium Sulfate in Acute Bronchiolitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of nebulized magnesium sulfate as a bronchodilator in infants hospitalized with acute bronchiolitis. METHODS: This three-center double masked randomized clinical trial comprised 120 children with moderate to severe bronchiolitis. They were randomly assigned into two groups: the first group was treated with nebulized magnesium sulfate (40 mg/kg) and nebulized epinephrine (0.1 ml/kg) and the second group (control) was treated with nebulized epinephrine (0.1 ml/kg). The primary outcome was the length of hospital stay. The use of oxygen, temperature, oxygen saturation (SPO2), pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR) and respiratory distress assessment instrument (RDAI) score were measured in the beginning of the study and during hospitalization. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of 120 infants was 5.1(± 2.6) mo and 60% were boys. The length of hospital stay was not different between the two groups (P > 0.01). Use of oxygen supplementation, SPO2 and vital signs were similar in the two groups. Improvement in RDAI score was significantly better in infants treated with nebulized magnesium sulfate than in the other group (P 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, in infants with acute bronchiolitis, the effect of nebulized magnesium sulfate is comparable to nebulized epinephrine. However nebulized magnesium sulfate can improve the clinical score so it may have additive effect to reduce symptoms during hospitalization.

Mortality risk prediction by application of pediatric risk of mortality scoring system in pediatric intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: The Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) score is one of the scores used by many pediatricians for prediction of the mortality risk in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Herein, we intend to evaluate the efficacy of PRISM score in prediction of mortality rate in PICU. METHODS: In this cohort study, 221 children admitted during an 18-month period to PICU, were enrolled. PRISM score and mortality risk were calculated. Follow up was noted as death or discharge. Results were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curve, ROC curve, Log Rank (Mantel-Cox), Logistic regression model using SPSS 15. FINDINGS: Totally, 57% of the patients were males. Forty seven patients died during the study period. The PRISM score was 0-10 in 71%, 11-20 in 20.4% and 21-30 in 8.6%. PRISM score showed an increase of mortality from 10.2% in 0-10 score patients to 73.8% in 21-30 score ones. The survival time significantly decreased as PRISM score increased (P≤0.001). A 7.2 fold mortality risk was present in patients with score 21-30 compared with score 0-10. ROC curve analysis for mortality according to PRISM score showed an under curve area of 80.3%. CONCLUSION: PRISM score is a good predictor for evaluation of mortality risk in PICU.