Management of outpatient pediatric burns at a pediatric burn center.

Burn injuries are a serious emergency. Most burn injuries in children can be treated as outpatients. The aim of this study was to present the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of pediatric burn injuries treated in our outpatient burn clinic. This study included pediatric patients treated in an outpatient burn clinic over an eight-year period. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into four groups according to their age groups, and the differences between the groups were investigated. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 25.0. P<0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Of the total 5,167 patients, 2,811 (54.4%) were male. Scald burns were the most common cause of burns (81.4%). Contact burns accounted for 12.2% of all burns. There were no differences between sexes for any variable. The highest incidence was seen in children in the 2-5-year-old age group (28.3%). There were differences between age groups in terms of sex, burn area, burn visit, burn type, burn location, need for wound dressing under anesthesia, and need for grafting. Among the patients, 4.9% were hospitalized due to the need for wound dressing under anesthesia. However, most of the patients (95.1%) were treated as outpatients. In conclusion, the majority of pediatric burn patients can be treated as outpatients. This allows pediatric patients to complete treatment in a psychologically comfortable environment and have low complication rates. Outpatient treatment should become the standard for children who are suitable for outpatient follow-up and who have home support.

A prospective study for an alternative probe site for pulse oximetry measurement in male patients with severe burn trauma: penile shaf.

BACKGROUND: Authors widely use pulse oximetry in clinical monitoring of heart rate (HR) and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) by attachment to the fingers; however, there can be a need for an alternative attachment site, especially for burned patients. We investigate the availability of a pulse oximeter probe attached to the penile shaft as an alternative site in pediatric male patients if all extremities became unavailable for pulse oximetry measurement due to severe burn and/or trauma. METHODS: We designed a prospective comparative study in a training and research hospital. After local ethical committee approval, pediatric male cases eligible for penile and extremity pulse measurements were evaluated during general anesthesia for medical dressing and/or grafting due to severe burns. One probe was attached to the fingers of the unburned extremity, and the other was to the penile shaft. Furthermore, we recorded SpO2and HR values at 5-min intervals; 0th (baseline), 5th, 10th and 15th minutes. We compared HR and SpO2values measured by the finger probe with those measured by the penile probe. RESULTS: Data of 51 patients (median age, 2.9 years (interquartile range, 2.0-5.0 years)) in whom the duration of dressing was at least 15min were analyzed. There was no significant difference either in comparisons of hemodynamic measurements (HR and SpO2 ) obtainedby finger probe and by a penile probe for each measurement time. The Bland-Altman plot analysis reveals agreement for penile and finger probes with a mean bias value between 0.20 and 0.37 on HR and between 0.43 and -0.20 on SpO2. DISCUSSION: This clinical trial demonstrated that pulse oximetry measurement under nonhypoxic conditions we could perform confidently using penile probes in pediatric male patients whose extremities are unavailable for measurement.

What is the Critical age for the Improvement of Parenchymal Thickness after Pyeloplasty?

PURPOSE: The most important point in cases of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is to decide on the need and timing of surgical treatment. Renal damage may become irreversible as the duration of the obstruction is prolonged. Worsening of hydronephrosis and decrease in renal parenchymal thickness after pyeloplasty may herald an irreversible renal damage. It is important to know at what age this damage begins. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationship between the age of the patients at the time of pyeloplasty performed for UPJO and parenchymal recovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study, 156 patients (mean age: 43.5 months) who underwent pyeloplasty with the diagnosis of UPJO between 2007 and 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Demographic characteristics, ultrasonographic (USG) and nuclear renal scintigraphy findings, previous surgeries  â€‹of the patients  were recorded. RESULTS: Numerical variables were evaluated statistically, and the best cut-off point was determined. Parenchymal thickening was determined as the most important criterion in postoperative renal recovery which was more evident at early ages. Based on statistical assessments , the cut-off age for renal parenchymal recovery was determined as 38 months. While parenchymal recovery was inadequate after pyeloplasty performed in patients older than 38 months, the most significant improvement in renal functions was seen in children younger than 13 months of age. CONCLUSION: Pyeloplasty should be performed in patients with UPJO before development of severe renal damage. Statistically, the best parameter to evaluate the recovery after pyeloplasty is the change in parenchymal thickness. With advancing age, it is impossible to reverse the obstructive nephropathy.

Intracerebral Hemorrhage Related With Penicillium Species Following Deceased-Donor Liver Transplant.

Early or late posttransplant opportunistic infections are among the leading complications after liver transplant. The source of early posttransplant opportunistic infections is usually the patient, the implantation of an infected graft, contamination during a surgical procedure, or invasive interventions performed at the intensive care unit. A 10-year-old male patient with Wilson disease (Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease Score of 42, Child-Pugh score of 12, total bilirubin 40 mg/dL, platelet count 55000/mL, hemoglobin level 6.3 g/dL, albumin level 1.7 g/dL, urinary copper level 4305 µ/24 h) was closely monitored in the pediatric intensive care unit of our liver transplantation center for care of a worsened general status. A deceased-donor liver transplant was performed using a right lobe liver graft (ex vivo split) obtained through the national organ sharing network. The patient developed rightward deviation of eyes and altered consciousness after the procedure and underwent cranial magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography examinations. The cranial magnetic resonance image, taken on the third postoperative day, revealed lesions consistent with embolic infarction, and the computed tomography scan, taken on the eighth day, showed intracerebral hemorrhage. Decompressive craniotomy, which included hematoma drainage and catheter placement, was performed. Culture and histopathologic examinations of the hematoma material revealed a Penicillium species of fungi. However, the patient died before a definitive diagnosis was made. The aim of this report is to raise awareness on early posttransplant opportunistic infections of the central nervous system presenting with intracranial hemorrhage following liver transplant.

Tigecycline therapy in pediatric patients with multidrug resistant bacteremia / Tratamiento con tigeciclina en pacientes pediátricos con bacteriemia multirresistente

INTRODUCTION: Multidrug resistance among bacteria increases the need for new therapeutic options. Tigecycline is one candidate drug, due to property of a wider anti-bacterial spectrum to multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens. However, it has still not been approved for use in pediatric patients. METHODS: In this study the effectiveness and safety of tigecycline in children was assessed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 36 pediatric patients, received tigecycline therapy with a median of 13 days (2-32 days). Tigecycline was used as a combination therapy in all cases. Microbiological eradication was achieved in 27 patients (75%) and clinical response was observed in 30 patients (83%). There were six cases (17%) of relapse. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that tigecycline may be an option for children with severe infections due to multidrug resistant bacteria

INTRODUCCIÓN: La multirresistencia por parte de las bacterias aumenta la necesidad de nuevas opciones de tratamiento. La tigeciclina es un fármaco candidato, debido a la propiedad de presentar un espectro antibacteriano más amplio frente a patógenos multirresistentes. Sin embargo, todavía no se ha aprobado para su uso en pacientes pediátricos. MÉTODOS: En este estudio se evaluó de forma retrospectiva la eficacia y la seguridad de la tigeciclina en niños. RESULTADOS: Un total de 36 pacientes pediátricos recibieron tratamiento con tigeciclina durante una mediana de 13 días (2-32 días). La tigeciclina se utilizó como parte de un tratamiento combinado en todos los casos. Se consiguió la erradicación microbiológica en 27 pacientes (75%) y se observó respuesta clínica en 30 pacientes (83%). Hubo 6 casos (17%) de recidiva. CONCLUSIÓN: Nuestros hallazgos sugieren que la tigeciclina puede ser una opción para niños con infecciones graves debidas a bacterias multirresistentes

Tigecycline therapy in pediatric patients with multidrug resistant bacteremia.

INTRODUCTION: Multidrug resistance among bacteria increases the need for new therapeutic options. Tigecycline is one candidate drug, due to property of a wider anti-bacterial spectrum to multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens. However, it has still not been approved for use in pediatric patients. METHODS: In this study the effectiveness and safety of tigecycline in children was assessed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 36 pediatric patients, received tigecycline therapy with a median of 13 days (2-32 days). Tigecycline was used as a combination therapy in all cases. Microbiological eradication was achieved in 27 patients (75%) and clinical response was observed in 30 patients (83%). There were six cases (17%) of relapse. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that tigecycline may be an option for children with severe infections due to multidrug resistant bacteria.

Unusual Symptomatic Multipartite Patella Associated with Quadriceps Fat Pad Edema.

Partite patella is a known cause of anterior knee pain, especially in adolescents and young males, although most patients are asymptomatic. Symptomatic partite patella is usually revealed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as bone marrow edema within the opposing bone fragments. We present a case of unusual bilateral symptomatic multipartite patella in an adult who presented with quadriceps fat pad edema and mass effect as well as slightly edematous signal changes within the bone fragments on MRI. This case indicates that symptomatic partite patella can also present with edema-like imaging findings in the adjacent soft tissue due to chronic mechanical irritation.