Etiology In Children Research Articles

A Case of Dancing Eyes and Feet (P4-5.006)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To present a case of opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome in an adult patient following Epstein Barr Virus infection. <h3>Background:</h3> Opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome (OMAS), also called disorder of dancing eyes and feet, is a condition that causes opsoclonus along with diffuse or focal body myoclonus and truncal titubation with or without ataxia and other cerebellar signs. It is commonly seen as a paraneoplastic syndrome in children with neuroblastoma; however, there are several associated post-infectious and paraneoplastic etiologies in children and adults. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> NA <h3>Results:</h3> A 26-year-old woman developed generalized malaise, abdominal discomfort, and right upper quadrant abdominal swelling. One week later, she developed blurred vision and gait impairment, for which she presented to the emergency room. On physical exam, she had opsoclonus, left appendicular ataxia, and left hemi-ataxic gait. Brain magnetic resonance imaging was normal. Serologic studies revealed elevated liver function tests and positive Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) IgM and IgG. Evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid revealed normal cells, glucose, and protein, negative oligoclonal bands as well as negative meningitis/encephalitis polymerase chain reaction panel and negative autoimmune encephalopathy panel. Workup for occult neoplasms was unrevealing. She was diagnosed with post-infectious OMAS due to EBV. She was treated with high-dose steroids with taper and intravenous immunoglobulin, which led to further improvement. Gabapentin, clonazepam, and topiramate were used for symptomatic treatment of opsoclonus. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> We describe clinical features, diagnostic workup, and treatment of a case of Epstein Barr Virus-associated post-infectious opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome in an adult. Despite recovery from the viral illness, the patient continued to have symptoms for several weeks which were ultimately improved with steroids and IVIG. <b>Disclosure:</b> Dr. Ahden has nothing to disclose. Dr. George has nothing to disclose. Dr. Samkoff has nothing to disclose.

Recent Increase in Incidence of Severe Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Etiology in Children is Associated with Infection with Adenovirus and Other Nonhepatotropic Viruses

To evaluate whether the nature and severity of non-A-E severe acute hepatitis in children noted by the World Health Organization from late 2021 through early 2022 was indeed increased in 2021-2022 compared with prior years. We performed a single-center, retrospective study to track the etiology and outcomes of children with non-A-E severe acute hepatitis in 2021-2022 compared with the prior 3-year periods (2018-2019, 2019-2020, and 2020-2021). We queried electronic medical records of children ≤16years of age with alanine or aspartate aminotransferase levels of >500 IU. Data were analyzed for the periods of October 1, 2021, to May 1, 2022, and compared with the same time periods in 2018-2021. Of 107 children meeting entry criteria, 82 cases occurred from October to May of 2018-2022. The average annual case number was 16.3 in 2018-2021 compared with a 2-fold increase (to 33) in 2021-2022 (P=.0054). Analyses of etiologies showed that this increase was associated with a higher number of children who tested positive for viruses (n=16) when compared with the average of 3.7 for 2018-2021 (P=.018). Adenovirus (26.1%) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (10.3%) were the most frequently detected viruses in 2021-2022. Despite evidence of acute liver failure in 37.8% of children in the entire cohort and in 47% of those with viral infection, the overall survival rate was high at 91.4% and 88.9%, respectively. The number of children with severe acute hepatitis in our center increased from 2021 to May 2022, with a greater frequency of cases associated with adenovirus, yet transplant-free survival remains high.

Etiology, Presenting Features, and Endoscopic Findings of Portal Vein Hypertension in Children

Background: Portal hypertension (PH) refers to a clinical syndrome characterized by an elevation in the pressure gradient between the portal and hepatic veins. It is necessary to identify the underlying causes to manage this disorder effectively. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the etiology, clinical manifestations, and endoscopic findings in children with PH. Methods: This analytic cross - sectional study was performed on patients (&lt; 18 years) with PH who were referred to the Pediatric Gastroenterology Clinic of Mofid Children’s Hospital in Tehran, Iran, within 2014 - 2020. The demographic details of the patients were collected from their medical records. Clinical manifestations, age at diagnosis, family history, and endoscopic findings were also recorded. Results: A total of 102 patients participated in this study. The subjects’ mean age was 6.81 ± 4.46 years. The results revealed that 50 (49.0%) and 46 (45%) cases had PH due to extrahepatic and intrahepatic diseases, respectively. Autoimmune hepatitis and portal vein thrombosis were the most common etiology of intrahepatic and extrahepatic PH, respectively. Based on the endoscopic analysis, esophageal varices were the most common findings (95.8%) observed in patients with PH. Conclusions: Extrahepatic diseases were the most prevalent PH etiology in children referred to the Pediatric Gastroenterology Clinic of Mofid Children’s Hospital.

Viral intestinal infections in young children in Baku

Viral pathogens are a common cause of acute intestinal infections, especially in young children. The purpose of the work is to assess the role of acute intestinal infection of viral etiology in children in Baku, depending on age. Materials and methods . 117 patients under the age of 3 years who were admitted to the Children's City Clinical Hospitals No. 1 and No. 7 of Baku with a diagnosis of «Acute intestinal infection» in 2019 were under observation. Etiological diagnosis of viral gastroenteritis of various etiologies (rotavirus, adenovirus and astrovirus) was carried out using enzyme immunoassay and immunochromatography. Results . Of the 117 samples examined, 58.9% of cases detected viral pathogens, namely group A rotavirus (RV) — 27.4 ± 4.1%, adenovirus 40/41 serotypes (AdV) — 18.8 ± 3.6%, and human astrovirus (HAstV) — 12.8 ± 3.1%. With rotavirus infection, the frequency of detection of pathogens increased from 26.7 ± 11.4% in children of the first year of life to 33.8 ± 5.4% in children in the age group of 1—3 years. The largest number of mono-adenoviral intestinal infections (40/41 serotypes) was detected in children aged 7—12 months - 33.3 ± 12.2%. It was found that human astroviruses were also detected most often in children aged 7— 12 months — 20.0 ± 10.3%. It was found that among mixed viral intestinal infections in young children, the association RV + AstV was more common (6.8 ± 2.3%). Among mixed cultures, the association frequency of RV + C. albicans prevailed and amounted to 7.7 ± 2.5% with predominant detection in the age group of 7— 12 months. — 20.0 ± 10.3%.

Adeno-associated virus type 2 in US children with acute severe hepatitis.

As of August 2022, clusters of acute severe hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children have been reported from 35 countries, including the USA1,2. Previous studies have found human adenoviruses (HAdVs) in the blood from patients in Europe and the USA3-7, although it is unclear whether this virus is causative. Here we used PCR testing, viral enrichment-based sequencing and agnostic metagenomic sequencing to analyse samples from 16 HAdV-positive cases from 1 October 2021 to 22 May 2022, in parallel with 113 controls. In blood from 14 cases, adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) sequences were detected in 93% (13 of 14), compared to 4 (3.5%) of 113 controls (P < 0.001) and to 0 of 30 patients with hepatitis of defined aetiology (P < 0.001). In controls, HAdV type 41 was detected in blood from 9 (39.1%) of the 23 patients with acute gastroenteritis (without hepatitis), including 8 of 9 patients with positive stool HAdV testing, but co-infection with AAV2 was observed in only 3 (13.0%) of these 23 patients versus 93% of cases (P < 0.001). Co-infections by Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus 6 and/or enterovirus A71 were also detected in 12 (85.7%) of 14 cases, with higher herpesvirus detection in cases versus controls (P < 0.001). Our findings suggest that the severity of the disease is related to co-infections involving AAV2 and one or more helper viruses.

Adeno-associated virus 2 infection in children with non-A-E hepatitis.

An outbreak of acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children was reported in Scotland1 in April 2022 and has now been identified in 35 countries2. Several recent studies have suggested an association with human adenovirus with this outbreak, a virus not commonly associated with hepatitis. Here we report a detailed case-control investigation and find an association between adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2) infection and host genetics in disease susceptibility. Using next-generation sequencing, PCR with reverse transcription, serology and in situ hybridization, we detected recent infection with AAV2 in plasma and liver samples in 26 out of 32 (81%) cases of hepatitis compared with 5 out of 74 (7%) of samples from unaffected individuals. Furthermore, AAV2 was detected within ballooned hepatocytes alongside a prominent T cell infiltrate in liver biopsy samples. In keeping with a CD4+ T-cell-mediated immune pathology, the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II HLA-DRB1*04:01 allele was identified in 25 out of 27 cases (93%) compared with a background frequency of 10 out of 64 (16%; P = 5.49 × 10-12). In summary, we report an outbreak of acute paediatric hepatitis associated with AAV2 infection (most likely acquired as a co-infection with human adenovirus that is usuallyrequired as a 'helper virus' to support AAV2 replication) and disease susceptibility related to HLA class II status.

Predictive value of EGSYS score in the differential diagnosis of cardiac syncope and neurally mediated syncope in children.

Syncope is a common emergency with diverse etiologies in children. Among these, cardiac syncope (CS) is associated with high mortality and is usually difficult to diagnose. However, there is still no validated clinical prediction model to distinguish CS from other forms of pediatric syncope. The Evaluation of Guidelines in Syncope Study (EGSYS) score was designed to identify CS in adults and has been validated in several studies. In this study, we aimed to assess the ability of the EGSYS score in predicting CS in children. In this retrospective study, we calculated and analyzed the EGSYS scores of 332 children hospitalized for syncope between January 2009 and December 2021. Among them, 281 were diagnosed with neurally mediated syncope (NMS) through the head-up tilt test, and 51 were diagnosed with CS using electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography (ECHO), coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA), myocardial enzymes and genetic screening. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow test were used to evaluate the predictive value of the EGSYS score system. The median scores of 51 children with CS and 281 children with NMS were 4 [interquartile range (IQR): 3-5] and -1 (IQR: -2-1), respectively. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.922 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.892-0.952; P < 0.001], indicating that the EGSYS score system has good discrimination. The best cutoff point was ≥3, with a sensitivity and specificity of 84.3% and 87.9%, respectively. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test demonstrated satisfactory calibration (χ²=1.468, P > 0.05) of the score, indicating a good fit of the model. The EGSYS score appeared to be sensitive for differentiating CS from NMS in children. It might be used as an additional diagnostic tool to aid pediatricians in accurately identifying children with CS in the clinical practice.

Role of magnetic resonance imaging brain in children with developmental delay

Background: Developmental delay is one of the most common conditions encountered by paediatricians. It is defined as significant delay in one or more of the developmental domains. Evaluation of such children with neuroimaging is important to come to a specific diagnosis. Early identification and diagnosis have implications for better treatment and parental counselling regarding the outcome. This study aims to observe the various findings in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain and to depict the aetiology in children with developmental delay. Methods: A hospital based retrospective observational study, was carried out in Kamineni institute of medical sciences, Narketpally among 40 children aged between 6 months to 12 years, with features of developmental delay. MRI brain was done and findings were later classified into various etiological subgroups. Results: Normal morphological MRI findings were seen in only 12.5% of children with developmental delay. Abnormal morphological findings in MRI were seen in 87.5%, out of which 40% showed metabolic and degenerative disorders, 37.5% of the findings depicted congenital malformations, 10% of them were of infectious aetiology. The white matter was the most commonly involved anatomical structures i.e., (52.5%), followed by ventricles (20%). Conclusions: MRI can easily detect many specific etiological and pathophysiological conditions thus; clinical diagnosis of developmental delay must be aided with neuroimaging for better understanding of the aetiology.

Single-Stage Tibial Osteotomy for Correction of Genu Varum Deformity in Children

Conservative and operative treatments with gradual or acute correction of severe varus deformities of the leg have been described. We evaluated whether the corrective osteotomy used within the NGO Mercy Ships is an effective treatment for genu varum deformity of different etiologies in children and which patient specific factors have an influence on the radiographic outcome. In total, 208 tibial valgisation osteotomies were performed in 124 patients between 2013 and 2017. The patients' mean age at the time of surgery was 8.4 (2.9 to 16.9 (min/max)) years. Seven radiographically measured angles were used to assess the deformity. Clinical photographs taken pre- and postoperatively were assessed. The mean time between the surgery and the end of physiotherapeutic treatment was 13.5 (7.3 to 28) weeks. Complications were monitored and classified according to the modified Clavien-Dindo-classification system. The mean preoperative mechanical tibiofemoral angle was 42.1° varus (range: 85°-12° varus). The mean postoperative mechanical tibiofemoral angle was 4.3° varus (range: 30° varus-13° valgus). The factors predicting a residual varus deformity were higher age, greater preoperative varus deformity and the diagnosis of Blount disease. The tibiofemoral angle measured on routine clinical photographs correlated well with the radiographic measurements. The single-stage tibial osteotomy described is a simple, safe and cost-effective technique to correct three-dimensional deformities of the tibia. Our study shows very good mean postoperative results, but with a higher variability than in other studies published. Nevertheless, considering the severity of preoperative deformities and the limited opportunities for aftercare, this method is excellent for the correction of varus deformities.

Evaluation of Chronic Cough Etiologies in Children

Objective: Cough is one of the leading causes of hospitalization in children worldwide. It should be considered important because it can be a symptom of various serious diseases and affects the quality of life of the child. A differential diagnosis should be performed on all children with a chronic cough. This study aimed to determine the etiologies in patients evaluated for chronic cough. Material and Methods: The study included patients admitted to the pediatric immunology and allergy outpatient clinic, with the complaint of chronic cough between the ages of 0–18 years. Clinical and demographic characteristics of patients were recorded. Results: This study included 323 patients between the ages of 0-18years. The median age of the patients was 7 (interquartile range: 5-9.7) years. One hundred and forty five (45%) of the patients were female. One hundred seventy-nine (55.4%) patients had a family history of atopic diseases such as asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. The presence of aeroallergen sensitivity was demonstrated in 127 patients. One hundred and forty-four (44.6%) patients were diagnosed with asthma, 75 (23.2%) patients with wheezing, 54 (16.7%) patients with post-infectious cough, 43 (13.3%) patients with postnasal drip syndrome, 4 (1.2%) patients with gastroesophageal reflux, 2 (0.6%) patients with foreign body aspiration, and 1 (0.3%) patient with psychogenic cough. Moreover, two patients with asthma, and one patient with wheezing had reflux symptoms in addition to the diagnosis of asthma and wheezing. One patient was found to have a partial IgA deficiency, and 18 patients had hypogammaglobulinemia. Immunoglobulin replacement therapy was initiated for a patient with hypogammaglobulinemia. Of the 219 patients diagnosed with asthma or wheezing, 144 had an atopic disease in the family (p&amp;lt;0.001). It was found that one hundred and eighty-five patients (57.3%) had domestic smoke exposure. Furthermore, smoke exposure was observed in 58 (77.3%) of 75 patients under the age of 6 years who were followed up with the diagnosis of wheezing (p= 0.010). Conclusion: In our study, asthma, which is one of the most common causes of chronic cough in the literature, was found to be the most common cause. For a correct approach when making a differential diagnosis in pediatric patients presenting with chronic cough, the patient’s history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and risk factors should be evaluated as a whole with systematic evaluation.

Clinical impact of exome sequencing in the setting of a general pediatric ward for hospitalized children with suspected genetic disorders.

Background: Genetic conditions contribute a significant portion of disease etiologies in children admitted to general pediatric wards worldwide. While exome sequencing (ES) has improved clinical diagnosis and management over a variety of pediatric subspecialties, it is not yet routinely used by general pediatric hospitalists. We aim to investigate the impact of exome sequencing in sequencing-naive children suspected of having monogenic disorders while receiving inpatient care. Methods: We prospectively employed exome sequencing in children admitted to the general pediatric inpatient service at a large tertiary medical center in Israel. Genetic analysis was triggered by general and/or subspecialist pediatricians who were part of the primary inpatient team. We determined the diagnostic yield among children who were referred for exome sequencing and observed the effects of genetic diagnosis on medical care. Results: A total of fifty probands were evaluated and exome sequenced during the study period. The most common phenotypes included were neurodevelopmental (56%), gastrointestinal (34%), and congenital cardiac anomalies (24%). A molecular diagnosis was reached in 38% of patients. Among seven patients (37%), the molecular genetic diagnosis influenced subsequent clinical management already during admission or shortly following discharge. Conclusion: We identified a significant fraction of genetic etiologies among undiagnosed children admitted to the general pediatric ward. Our results support that early application of exome sequencing may be maximized by pediatric hospitalists' high index of suspicion for an underlying genetic etiology, prompting an in-house genetic evaluation. This framework should include a multidisciplinary co-management approach of the primary care team working alongside with subspecialties, geneticists and bioinformaticians.

Has Machine Learning Enhanced the Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological condition that limits an individual's capacity for communication and learning throughout their life. Although symptoms of Autism can be diagnosed in individuals of different ages, it is labeled as a developmental disorder because symptoms typically start to show up in the initial 2 years of childhood. Autism has no single known cause but multiple factors contribute to its etiology in children. Because symptoms and severity of ASD vary in every individual, there could be many causes. Detection of ASD in the early stages is crucial for providing a path for rehabilitation that enhances the quality of life and integrates the ASD person into the social, family, and professional spheres. Assessment of ASD includes experienced observers in neutral environments, which brings constraints and biases to a lack of credibility and fails to accurately reflect performance in terms of real-world scenarios. To get around these limitations, the conducted review offers a thorough analysis of the impact on the individual and the ones living around them and most recent research on how these techniques are implemented in the diagnosis of ASD. As a result of improvements in technology, assessments now include processing unconventional data than can be collected from measurements arising out of laboratory chemistry or of electrophysiological origin. Examples of these technologies include virtual reality and sensors including eye-tracking imaging. Studies have been conducted towards recognition of emotion and brain networks to identify functional connectivity and discriminate between people with ASD and people who are thought to be typically developing. Diagnosis of Autism has recently made substantial use of long short term memory (LSTM), convolutional neural network (CNN) and its variants, the random forest (RF) and naive Bayes (NB) machine learning techniques. It is hoped that researchers will develop methodologies that increase the probability of identification of ASD in its varied forms and contribute towards improved lifestyle for patients with ASD and those affected by the pathology.

Bezoar types in children and aetiological factors affecting bezoar formation: A single-centre retrospective study.

Bezoar is formed as a result of the accumulation of undigested food or foreign substances in the gastrointestinal tract (GIS). The present study aims to investigate the bezoar types seen in children and the aetiological factors involved in bezoar formation. A total of 16 patients who underwent an endoscopy and/or surgical treatment for bezoar at Harran University, Faculty of Medicine Pediatric Surgery Clinic between 2011 and 2019 were included in the study. The demographic information, laboratory and radiological findings were obtained from the patients' file records. A total of ten patients (62.5%) were female with a mean age of 7.8 ± 4.9 years. Phytobezoars were detected in ten patients, trichobezoars in two patients, lactobezoar in one patient, and other types in three patients. The aetiological factors were determined to be congenital GIS anomaly in 6 (37.5%) patients; trichotillomania in 2 (12.5%) patients; mental retardation in 2 (12.5%) patients; ingestion of a foreign body during infancy in 2 (12.5%) patients; high intake of high-fibre fruit in 3 (18.5%) patients; and postoperative dysmotility in 2 (12.5%) patients. Congenital GIS anomalies are mostly responsible for bezoar etiology in children and phytobezoar is the most common type of bezoar.

Exploring the genetic landscape of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccination-associated seizures or subsequent epilepsies

Diphtheria, Tetanus, and whole-cell Pertussis (DTwP) vaccination-associated seizures form the commonest type of serious adverse event following immunization in India and are an important reason for vaccine hesitancy. Our study explored the genetic explanation of DTwP vaccination-associated seizures or subsequent epilepsies. Between March 2017 and March 2019, we screened 67 children with DTwP vaccination-associated seizures or subsequent epilepsies, and of those, we studied 54 without prior seizures or neurodevelopmental deficits. Our study design was cross-sectional with a 1-year follow-up having both retrospective and prospective cases. We performed clinical exome sequencing focused on 157 epilepsy-associated genes and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification of the SCN1A gene at enrolment. We applied the Vineland Social Maturity Scale for neurodevelopmental assessment at follow-up. Of 54 children enrolled and underwent genetic testing (median age 37.5 months, interquartile range 7.7–67.2; diagnosis at enrolment: epilepsy 29, febrile seizure 21, and febrile seizure-plus 4), we found 33 pathogenic variants of 12 genes. Of 33 variants, 13 (39%) were novel. Most pathogenic variants were found in SCN1A gene (n = 21/33; 64%), SCN8A in 2 children, and 10 children had one variant in CDKL5 , DEPDC5 , GNAO1 , KCNA2 , KCNT1 , KCNQ2 , NPRL3 , PCDH19 , RHOBTB2 , and SLC2A1 . Five or more seizures (odds ratio [OR] = 5.3, confidence interval [CI]: 1.6–18.4, p = 0.006), drug-resistant epilepsy (OR = 9.8, 95% CI: 2.6–30.7, p = 0.001) and neurodevelopmental impairment (social quotient < 70) (OR = 5.6, 95% CI: 1.65–17.6, p = 0.006) were significant predictors of genetic diagnosis. Our study provides proof-of-concept for genetic aetiology in children with DTwP vaccination-associated seizures or subsequent epilepsies and has important implications for vaccination policies in developing countries. International Pediatric Association Foundation, Inc. (IPAF): İhsan Doğramaci research award 2016/2017; Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, India: No.3/1/3/JRF-2016/HRD/LS/71/10940.

Clinical outcome of endoscopic balloon dilatations employed in benign paediatric oesophageal pathologies.

Oesophageal dilatations can be done either by bougies or balloons for differing aetiologies in children. We investigated the efficacy and safety of endoscopic balloon dilatations (EBDs) employed by a single surgeon. Relevant data over 12 years were retrospectively evaluated with an ethical committee approval. Ninety-seven children underwent 514 EBD with a median EBD of 3 (1-50). The primary diagnoses were oesophageal atresia (OA) in 51 children, corrosive ingestion in 21, peptic strictures in 13, achalasia in 8 and congenital oesophageal stenosis in 4. The balloon size varied between 3 and 30 mm. The EBD was successfully ended in 72 patients and unsuccessful in six patients. Six children are still under EBD and 13 are lost to follow-up. The overall success rate was 92%. The age at the time of first dilatation was the youngest in OA group followed by corrosive strictures. The balloon sizes differed regarding the age of the patients with larger balloons used as the patient age increased. The sizes of the balloons used at the first and the last EBD differed among diagnostic groups. The total number of dilatations or the time interval between the first and the last EBD dilatation did not show a statistically significant difference among groups. The anatomical type of OA or the height of corrosive stricture revealed no significant difference in any of the above parameters. A transmural oesophageal perforation occurred during 2 (0.4%) EBD sessions. EBD is an effective mean in relieving paediatric oesophageal pathologies with a variety of aetiologies and has a low complication rate.

Clinical characteristics and possible etiology in children with acute severe hepatitis of unknown etiology.

Clinical characteristics and possible etiology in children with acute severe hepatitis of unknown etiology.

Cytokines’ Expression in Children with Viral Pneumonia: A prospective Study in a Sample of Egyptian Children

Background: Community acquired pneumonia still a prominent reason of mortality and morbidity in developing countries which can caused by many pathogens with predominant of viral etiologies in children. Studying of cytokines response in viral pneumonia is useful to improve management and outcome. Aim: This study aimed to compare the level of cytokines (IL5, IL6, IL8, IL1B and IL10) in children diagnosed with viral and non-viral pneumonia, correlate with the causative virus and the clinical picture. Methods: An observational, prospective study included 101 children with pneumonia. Serum was analyzed different cytokines (IL10, IL1B, IL5, IL8, and IL6) by ELISA. Result: No significant difference was reported between cytokines level in children with viral pneumonia and non-viral pneumonia in our study. A significant difference was found regarding IL-6 concentration between patients with and without Human Metapneumovirus and Para 3 infections was reported. Conclusion: Cytokines level in pneumonia is affected by many factors as the causative organism, nutritional status, age, severity, and duration of infection. Additionally, recent research has disclosed that interleukin responses are considerably altered in numerous disease states. A large-scale study with measurement of cytokines in subsequent days is recommended.

Transplantation in Pediatrics Liver Failure Associated with Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Etiology

Introduction. On 5th April 2022, some cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown etiology in children were reported in the United Kingdom. Since then, the number has increased rapidly, with 650 probable cases identified worldwide. This review focuses on available information about managing acute liver failure (ALF) in pediatrics with acute hepatitis of unknown etiology through the perspective of hepatobiliary surgery. Method. A literature review proceeded on some databases, namely PubMed and Google Scholar. Epidemiological data and technical policy were obtained from World Health Organization and some government institutions. Results. Severe acute hepatitis can progressively develop into acute liver failure, thus requiring a liver transplantation procedure immediately. There are about 30 patients have received a liver transplant. Fourteen patients reported had died. Liver transplantation is necessary to treat acute liver failure in children with acute hepatitis of unknown etiology. The need for a liver transplant can be avoided if ALF is prevented. Conclusion. The decision to perform or not to perform a liver transplant procedure may consider indications, contraindications, possible outcomes, patient status, availability of donors, and access to transplant centers' facilities and resources.

Hepatitis of unknown etiology in children: Current evidence and association.

Two years after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, acute hepatitis of unknown etiology in children (AHUCD) began to be reported worldwide. The novel coronavirus and adenovirus were found in pathogen and antibody tests in AHUCD cases reported by the World Health Organization. Children are not exposed to the viruses that children are generally exposed to owing to COVID-19 infection preventive measures such as isolation and wearing masks; therefore, some researchers have speculated that this disease is related to reduced exposure to pathogens. Some scientists have also speculated that the disease is related to liver injury and adenoviral hepatitis, which are the sequelae of COVID-19. Some evidence also suggests a weak association between the disease and COVID-19 vaccination. Therefore, further research and investigation of the pathogenesis, preventive measures, and early treatment of hepatitis of unknown etiology are required. This study aimed to synthesize available evidence to further elucidate this disease in order to treat and prevent it effectively.

Stabilisation of Pathologic Proximal Femoral Fracture near the Growth Plate with Use of a Locking Plate and Transphyseal Screws.

Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a benign osseus lesion with a high pathologic fracture risk. The described treatment options are varied and inconsistent. For successful treatment results, it is essential to prevent recurrence and sufficiently stabilise the weakened bone. Lesions close to the growth plates, especially in the femoral neck region, are challenging to stabilise in children. In this study, 27 clinics, including 11 sarcoma centres, 15 paediatric orthopaedic clinics, and one sarcoma/paediatric orthopaedic centre, were surveyed and asked about their treatment approaches for an exemplary case of ABC in the femoral neck causing a pathological fracture in a 20-month-old infant, with a response rate of 81%. The heterogeneity of treatment options described in the literature is consistent with the survey results. The most favoured approach was curettage, defect filling of any kind, and surgical stabilisation. However, the lesion stabilisation option introduced in this paper, which involves the use of transphyseal screws, was not mentioned in the survey and has not been reported in the literature. Contrary to the existing concepts, our technique offers high stability without significant growth restriction. Transphyseal screws are also suitable for the treatment of femoral neck fractures of other aetiologies in children.