Acute Pancreatitis in COVID-19-associated Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome of Children-A Single Center Experience.

A multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) was identified as an entity temporally associated with the present COVID-19 pandemic. This inflammatory syndrome affects various organ systems including the gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary systems. The following study was undertaken to primarily detect the fraction of children who had pancreatitis as major organ involvement during the development of MIS-C. The secondary objective was to evaluate their clinical and investigational profile as well as the outcome of management. METHODS: A retrospective chart analysis of all children admitted in a tertiary pediatric center from April to December 2020, diagnosed as COVID-19 associated MIS-C, was done. Those presenting with acute pancreatitis were detected and detailed clinical features, investigations, treatments, as well as outcomes, were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 17 children were diagnosed as MIS-C associated with SARS-CoV-2 in the above-mentioned period. Among them, 9 (53%) children had pancreatitis right from the start of the illness; 5 (56%) children with pancreatitis presented with shock. A very high CRP and cardiac involvement were observed in all. A severe reduction of myocardial contractility was associated with poor outcomes. Necrotic pancreatitis was not noted in any of them. A mortality of 22% was documented in this group and a 3-month outcome among those who survived displayed complete resolution of all cardiac as well as pancreatic abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Acute pancreatitis can be an essential cause of abdominal symptoms in COVID-19-related MIS-C. Pancreatitis may be considered to be one of the parameters in the diagnostic criteria of MIS-C.

Arterial Switch Operation With Neoaortic Valve Replacement in a 13-Year Old Patient With Transposition of Great Arteries With Ventricular Septal Defect and Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction-A Case Report.

The surgical management of d-transposition of great arteries (d-TGAs) with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) is ever evolving and still remains a challenge because of wide anatomic variability, age of presentation, surgical options available, and their variable long-term results in different series. We describe a patient with d-TGA, VSD, and LVOTO who presented to us at 13 years of age and underwent an arterial switch operation along with neoaortic valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis. The postoperative course was uneventful, and at hospital discharge, the echocardiogram was satisfactory. We present the pros and cons of this hitherto undescribed treatment option.

Acute carbolic acid poisoning: A report of four cases.

Phenol (carbolic acid) is one of the oldest antiseptic agents. Apart from being used in many commercially available products, in rural India, it is often used in the household to prevent snake infestation. We hereby present four cases of acute carbolic acid poisoning which we saw over the last monsoon. The cases highlight the multiple routes of absorption of carbolic acid as well as its multi-organ complications which often necessitate intensive care of local therapy decreases systemic phenol absorption from cutaneous exposure and may help in reducing severity.

Echocardiographically guided catheter closure of arterial ducts in small preterm infants on the neonatal intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To describe closure of haemodynamically significant arterial ducts in preterm infants using an echocardiographically guided cardiac catheter technique in selected infants in the neonatal nursery and in preference to cardiac surgery. BACKGROUND: Persistently patent arterial ducts are common in preterm infants and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Cardiac catheter techniques continue to improve and occlusion of arterial ducts in preterm infants is becoming technically feasible. Closure of arterial ducts by cardiac catheter techniques would enable selected infants to avoid surgery and a lateral thoracotomy, as well as potentially obviating the need for transfer of sick preterm infants between units for duct closure. METHODS AND RESULTS: This brief report describes placement of coils or Amplatzer duct devices to occlude arterial ducts in small premature infants exclusively under echocardiographic guidance in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. CONCLUSIONS: Closing arterial ducts in the neonatal nursery by an echocardiographically guided cardiac catheter technique with minimal morbidity is becoming achievable and is a significant advance in neonatal care.