Epidemiological, Clinical, and Evolutionary Profile of Children Admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Department of the Maroua Regional Hospital, Cameroon

Introduction: Pediatric emergencies in developing countries are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The Maroua Regional Hospital (MRH) is one of the referral centers for pediatric emergencies in the Far north region of Cameroon. Pediatric emergencies are frequent in Maroua and are associated with significant mortality. The aim of our study is to determine the epidemiological, clinical, and evolutionary profile of children admitted to the pediatric emergency department of the HRM. Methods: We conducted an observational, descriptive, and retrospective study over a period from April 10, 2023 to April 10, 2024, focusing on the records of patients admitted to the pediatric emergency department of the MRH. The variables studied included epidemiological, clinical, and evolutionary characteristics. Data analysis was performed using CSPro version 8.01 and SPSS version 27.0. Results: We included 1027 patients;the sex ratio was 1.2 infants under 2 years represented 54.33%. The main reasons for consultation were fever (62.22%) and seizures (30.18%). The most frequently prescribed additional test was the Complete Blood Count (CBC), performed in 97.37% of cases. The most common pathologies were severe malaria (45.18%), broncho-pulmonary infections (15.48%), and bacterial meningitis (12.26%). At admission, 32.9% were transfused. There were 68 deaths, representing 6.67%, and 86% of the deaths occurred within 24 hours of admission. The leading cause of death was severe malaria, with 28 (41.17%) cases. Conclusion: Febrile illnesses were the main reason for consultation, and mortality was linked to severe malaria. Therefore, in addition to the other preventive methods already used against malaria, it is recommended to consider the use of the malaria vaccine.

The mortality of patients in a pediatric emergency department at a tertiary medical center in China: An observational study

BACKGROUND: The quality of treatment for critically ill children varies widely at different hospitals. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of mortality in a pediatric emergency department(PED) at a tertiary children's hospital in Guangzhou, China and to investigate the risk factors associated with the mortality.METHODS: The mortality of pediatric patients at the hospital from 2011 to 2013 was retrospectively analyzed using descriptive statistics.RESULTS: Altogether 466 919 patients visited the PED during the period and 43 925 of them were admitted for further observation. In 230 deaths, the ratio of boys to girls was 1.4:1, and their age ranged from 2 hours to 16 years(median, 5 months). The time from admission to death ranged from 0 to 216 hours(median, 1.5 hours). There were 92(40%) patients who died within 24 hours after admission and 104(45.2%) patients who died on arrival. The prominent causes of the deaths were respiratory diseases, neuromuscular disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and sepsis, most of which were ascribed to severe infection. Sixty-five deaths were associated with more than one concomitant problem. The top concomitant problems were congenital malformation, low gestational age, and severe birth asphyxia.CONCLUSIONS: In our center, 40% of the patients in the PED died of fatal acute diseases, and pneumonia was the first leading cause of the deaths. Almost half of the deaths occurred on arrival and the rest were due to end-stage malignant diseases. This study emphasized the importance of prevention of birth deficits by reducing deaths in infants and children.

Comparison of Propofol and Fentanyl for Preventing Emergence Agitation Following Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Pediatric Patients: A Single-Center Study in Bangladesh

Background: Emergence agitation (EA) is a common phenomenon observed in pediatric patients following general anesthesia. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of propofol and fentanyl in preventing EA and to compare their associated complications or side effects. Methods: This prospective randomized observational comparative study was conducted at Dhaka Medical College Hospital from July 2013 to June 2014. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of propofol and fentanyl on EA in children aged 18 to 72 months undergoing circumcision, herniotomy, and polypectomy operations. Ninety children were included in the study, with 45 in each group. Patients with psychological or neurological disorders were excluded. Various parameters including age, sex, weight, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, duration of anesthesia, Saturation of Peripheral Oxygen (SPO2), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) score, duration of post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay, incidence of laryngospasm, nausea, vomiting, and rescue drug requirement were compared between the two groups. Results: Age, sex, weight, ASA class, and duration of anesthesia were comparable between the two groups. Perioperative SpO2 and HR were similar in both groups. However, the PAED score was significantly higher in the fentanyl group during all follow-ups except at 30 minutes postoperatively. The mean duration of PACU stay was significantly longer in the fentanyl group. Although the incidence of laryngospasm was higher in the fentanyl group, it was not statistically significant. Conversely, nausea or vomiting was significantly higher in the fentanyl group. The requirement for rescue drugs was significantly higher in the fentanyl group compared to the propofol group. Conclusion: Both propofol and fentanyl were effective in preventing emergence agitation in pediatric patients undergoing various surgical procedures under sevoflurane anesthesia. However, propofol demonstrated a better safety profile with fewer incidences of nausea, vomiting, and rescue drug requirements compared to fentanyl.

Frontal penetrating arrow injury:A case report

BACKGROUND Penetrating arrow injuries of the head and neck are exceedingly rare in pediatric patients.This pathology has high morbidity and mortality because of the presence of vital organs,the airway,and large vessels.Therefore,the treatment and removal of an arrow is a challenge that requires multidisciplinary management.CASE SUMMARY A 13-year-old boy was brought to the emergency room after an arrow injury to the frontal region.The arrowhead was lodged in the oropharynx.Imaging studies showed a lesion of the paranasal sinuses without compromising vital structures.The arrow was successfully removed by retrograde nasoendoscopy without complications,and the patient was discharged.CONCLUSION Although rare,maxillofacial arrow injuries have high morbidity and mortality and require multidisciplinary management to preserve function and aesthetics.

Management of Pediatric Emergencies on the General Hospital

Due to the lack of casuistry, the management of the pediatric patient remains a source of stress and high risk of errors for the personnel working in the Territorial Emergency Service, General First Aid and Multipurpose ICU （intensive care unit）, In order to facilitate the management of emergent or urgent pediatric casuistry, a specific training course, which involves all medical and paramedical staff; has begun in the reality of Pordenone Hospital. The new work strategy consists of an organized equipment according to the Broselow method, adapting the American model to our reality. A dedicated course was created to become confidential with the new operative strategy, to reduce mistakes and stress from the staff. After, a questionnaire was given to nurses working on ICU Dept. to assess the level of confidence with the new method introduced. It showed an improved confidence with the method, easier management of the pediatric emergency, fewer stress and better communication between health workers. Subsequently an updating course was created dedicated to the medical and nursing staff working on the Emergency Department of the entire province to start the integration between the hospitals in the area. The fmal project includes the drafting of a provincial protocol for the use of both intra and extra hospital pediatric material. The goal is to ensure that they do not create unevenness, errors or lack of care and communication between the professionals involved in the management of the pediatric emergency, from taking charge on the territory to hospitalization or transfer to the center Hub.

Effect of budesonide on hospitalization rates among children with acute asthma attending paediatric emergency department:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction The efficacy of inhaled budesonide for managing moderate-to-severe acute exacerbations in children is not clear.Therefore,this study aimed to evaluate hospital admission rates,need for use of systemic corticosteroids,length of hospital stay and adverse events when inhaled budesonide is added to standard pediatric emergency department management of moderate-to-severe acute exacerbations of asthma.Methods A systematic search was conducted in PubMed,Scopus,CENTRAL(Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials)and Google scholar databases.Randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effect of nebulized budesonide in moderate-to-severe acute exacerbations of asthma in pediatric patients were included for this meta-analysis.Statistical analysis was done using STATA version 13.0.Results A total of 16 RCTs were included.Children receiving nebulized budesonide had 43%lower risk of being hospital-ized(RR 0.57;95%CI,0.39;0.85)and 66%lower risk of requiring systemic corticosteroids(RR 0.34;95%CI,0.21;0.55)compared with those receiving placebo.There were no differences in the length of hospital stay(Hedges's g standardized mean difference-1.53;95%CI,-3.64;0.58)and risk of adverse events(RR 0.87,95%CI;0.65;1.17)between the two groups.There was no evidence of publication bias for any of the outcomes considered.Conclusion The findings of this meta-analysis support the use of inhaled budesonide in reducing risk of hospitalization and the need for systemic corticosteroids among children with acute moderate-to-severe asthma exacerbation.

Personal experience in pediatric emergency medicine training in Canada and China

Currently, pediatric emergency medicine （PEM） as practiced in many developed countries is different from ours in China. Chinese pediatric emergency medicine is just children＇s internal medicine and does not include general surgery, ear-nose-throat, etc. If children have an emergency condition that require specialized treatments they need to go to different departments. However in Canada, the pediatric emergency physicians will first treat the patients whatever the condition, then, if it is a complicated sub specialty problem, they will consult the specialist or let the patient see the specialist later. In addition, resuscitation is done in the pediatric intensive care unit （PICU） in China, but it is done in the emergency room in Canada. This article compares the differences in the pediatric emergency systems in Canada and China and also introduces the international standard system of pediatric triage.

Radial head subluxation in pediatric clinics and emergency departments in China

Purpose:To investigate the characteristics of the onset and treatment of radial head subluxation(RHS)in pediatric clinics and emergency departments.Methods:A retrospective study was performed on 11,404 RHS cases in 9827 children who visited pediatric clinics and emergency departments from January 2015 to December 2018.The patients who with history of trauma and fracture of the affected limb were excluded.The following factors were examined:the mechanisms of RHS,the type of manual reduction,the attending physician's clinical background(emergency surgeon,junior pediatric orthopedic surgeon or senior pediatric orthopedic surgeon),and the epidemiological features(gender,age,climate and location)of the injury.Results:The mean age of the patients was 27.93±17.94 months(range 0.93-214.53 months),with a peak incidence of 10.73-44.53 months.Approximately two-thirds of RHS cases occurred in cold weather from January to March and from September to December.Females accounted for 53.81%(n=6137)of the cases,and left injuries were predominant(56.87%,n=6485)in all cases.Mechanisms of injury were classified as"pull"(90.57%,n=10,339),"fall"(1.56%,n=178),"hit"(0.75%,n=86)and"unknown"(7.02%,n=801).The overall success rate of manual reduction was 99.47%,and the success rate of reduction was higher for senior pediatric orthopedic surgeons than for emergency surgeons and junior pediatric orthopedic surgeons(p<0.05).However,there was still a recurrence rate of 12.16%in the 9827 patients.Conclusion:Younger children are predisposed to RHS,and there is a possibility of recurrence.Trained emergency doctors can handle it well,but it is essential to refer patients to specialists when manual reduction failed.