ECG and echocardiographic diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism associated with central venous lines.

The aim was to establish the prevalence of pulmonary embolism in 21 children (median age 12 months; range 5-132 months) with central venous lines in situ > 3 months (median 10 months; range 3-47). Twelve-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) and echocardiograms were analysed in a retrospective study using ECG and echocardiographic criteria for pulmonary embolism-previously established and validated in adult patients- and standard paediatric ECG values as control data. Patients were scored as having definite (n = 7), probable (n = 5), or no pulmonary embolism (n = 9). Overall 57% of ECGs showed abnormalities compatible with pulmonary embolism. In two patients, serial ECGs obtained during an acute cardiorespiratory illness showed cumulative changes diagnostic of pulmonary embolism. Eight of 12 patients with abnormal ECGs had echocardiography; in seven of these (88%) the right ventricular end diastolic diameter was > 2SD above the mean value for age. Twelve of the patients included in this study have died; two died following an acute respiratory illness. There was postmortem evidence of pulmonary thromboembolism in both of the two children for whom necropsy information was available. The data suggest that pulmonary embolism is common in children who have central venous lines in situ for > 3 months. Serial studies are of value in some patients. Pulmonary embolism may compromise the long term survival of children with small bowel failure and preclude consideration for liver and small bowel transplantation.     

婴幼儿肺静脉异位引流术后肺静脉狭窄的再干预治疗

目的分析婴幼儿肺静脉异位引流术后肺静脉狭窄(pulmonary vein stenosis,PVS)的原因,总结再干预治疗的经验。方法回顾性分析2012年5月至2019年12月郑州大学附属儿童医院胸心外科收治的13例肺静脉异位引流术后PVS患儿的临床资料。其中,男8例,女5例;年龄为(7.2±4.6)个月,范围在6~31个月;体重为(6.9±3.4)kg,范围在5.0~17.6 kg;完全性肺静脉异位引流(total anomalous pulmonary venous connection,TAPVC)术后12例,部分性肺静脉异位引流(partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection,PAPVC)术后1例。13例患儿再干预治疗前均给予心脏超声及心脏CT血管造影检查。其中,吻合口处狭窄7例,单支肺静脉狭窄4例(肺静脉于左房开口处狭窄2例,肺静脉远端狭窄1例,肺静脉近端狭窄1例),双支肺静脉狭窄(均为左侧)2例。9例采用Sutureless技术,3例采用牛心包补片扩大,1例球囊扩张后效果差后行牛心包补片扩大。结果13例患儿均顺利完成手术,住院期间死亡2例。其中,1例经体外膜肺氧合(extracorporeal membrane oxygenation,ECMO)辅助治疗3 d后因颅内出血死亡;1例因原有脑部疾病,家属拒绝使用ECMO辅助治疗,后放弃治疗。另11例患儿随访3~36个月,无延迟死亡。1例采用的Sutureless技术和1例采用中心包补片扩大患儿术后随访3年,肺静脉流速为1.6~1.9 m/s,现随访观察中。结论儿童PVS多见于肺静脉畸形术后,尤其是TAPVC术后,应早期再干预治疗。Sutureless技术能明显改善PVS的预后。     

Persistence of atrioventricular valve regurgitation and electrocardiographic abnormalities following transient myocardial ischemia of the newborn

Summary To determine the sequelae of transient myocardial ischemia (TMI) in term infants, we reviewed clinical and investigative data in 59 infants (37 male, 22 female) with structurally normal hearts admitted over the 2-year period of 1983–1985. Twenty-three were diagnosed prior to admission as cases of birth asphyxia (5-min Apgar score <6), and 36 had signs of persistent fetal circulation with electrocardiographie (ECG) changes of ischemia >24 h after birth. Murmurs of atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR), detected in 28 patients, were confirmed in 23 of the 24 patients investigated. The murmurs resolved over a 2-day to 6-month period (median 6 days). In three patients, AVVR, left ventricular dyskinesia, and ECG anomalies persisted for 2 months (until death), 4 months, and 48 months. Initial ECGs were abnormal in 57 patients, and (of those reviewed) 60% returned to normal over a 6-day to 7-month period (median 2 months). Residual ECG anomalies included second-degree AV block and persistent ST-T wave changes. Ten patients died from noncardiac causes. Neither the presence nor resolution of AVVR correlated significantly with the severity of birth asphyxia using the Apgar score, nor with the severity of the ischemic changes on the ECG. Although the cardiovascular sequelae of myocardial ischemia are usually transient, the data should prompt the need for careful review after the initial admission.     

Lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin disease in children

PURPOSE: To describe the clinicobiological features, treatment, treatment outcome, and sequelae of children with lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective chart review of 754 patients with Hodgkin disease diagnoses at New York Medical College and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital from 1962 to 2000 to identify those with lymphocyte-predominant histology. Hematopathologists at the treating institutions reviewed stored tissue specimens and reconfirmed the histopathology of each case. RESULTS: Fifty-one children (44 boys, 7 girls) were identified. The median age was 10.5 years (range 3.2-18.5); five children were younger than age 60 months. The median duration of lymphadenopathy before diagnosis was 4 months (range 0.5-30). Thirty-six children had stage 1 disease, eight had stage 2 disease, four had stage 3 disease, and three had stage 4 disease. Fifteen children underwent staging laparotomy, and four of these were upstaged. Treatment comprised combined modality therapy (n = 27), radiation therapy alone (n = 17), and chemotherapy alone (n = 7). Four children had a Hodgkin disease recurrence. Forty-eight (94%) patients were alive and disease-free at a median follow-up of 8 years (range 0.4-32.6). Eleven patients had long-term, therapy-related adverse effects (cardiac, infertility, pulmonary, and second malignant neoplasms). Three patients died. Two died of complications of second malignant neoplasms and one died of infectious complications after Hodgkin disease recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Children with lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin disease respond favorably to a variety of treatment modalities and are ideal candidates for less toxic therapy.     

Long term complications of inferior vena cava thrombosis

AIM—To evaluate the long term outcome after paediatric inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis.
METHODS—A combined retrospective and prospective study on infants and children with IVC thrombosis treated at Aachen and Maastricht University Hospitals between 1980 and 1999.
RESULTS—Forty patients were enrolled, including four with preceding cardiac catheterisation, 18 with central venous saphenous lines, and an additional eight with umbilical venous catheters. Six patients died within three months of diagnosis; one patient was lost to follow up. Twelve of the remaining 33 patients had suffered from limited IVC thrombosis; during follow up (for up to nine years) none showed persisting caval obstruction (successful thrombolysis, n = 2; spontaneous recanalisation, n = 10). The remaining 21 patients presented with extensive IVC thrombosis. During follow up (for up to 18 years) complete restitution was found in only four cases (one thrombolysis, two surgery, one spontaneous recanalisation). Persisting iliac and/or caval venous obstruction occurred in 17patients, including six with thrombolysis. Varicose veins were found in 12, and post-thrombotic syndrome in seven of these cases. According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, 30% of patients with persisting venous disease will develop post-thrombotic syndrome within 10years of the thrombotic event.
CONCLUSIONS—Infants and children with extensive IVC thrombosis are at high risk for persisting venous disease and serious long term complications. Prospective trials are urgently needed to establish effective treatment strategies and to improve long term prognosis. Central venous catheters, contributing to IVC thrombosis in the majority of cases reported here, should be inserted only if essential.

     

Gastrostomy as a decompression technique in children with chronic gastrointestinal obstruction

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous or surgical insertion of gastrostomy tubes for feeding children has been well described. However, there is no report of percutaneous gastrostomy for chronic decompression in children with chronic gastrointestinal obstruction. The objective of this study was to evaluate this technique. METHODS: Eighteen gastrostomies were performed for gastrointestinal decompression in children. The patients ranged in age from 2 to 125 months (median: 15.5), and all had prolonged hospital stays for severe disease: severe gastroparesis and/or duodenal dysmotility (n = 8), duodenal stenosis (n = 2), chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (n = 4), enterocolitis (n = 2), and metastatic abdominal carcinomatosis (n = 2). The duration of symptoms before gastrostomy placement ranged from 0.5 to 44 months (median: 2), with major symptoms including epigastric pain, early satiety, nausea, vomiting, and bloating. RESULTS: The goals of gastric decompression and removal of the nasogastric tube were achieved in all patients, and all had significant relief of both nausea and emesis. Oral intake of liquids and soft foods was possible in 17 of 18 of the children. The tubes were kept in place for a median of 22.5 months (range, 2-73). There was neither long-term morbidity nor mortality associated with the presence of the tube. Seventeen patients returned home with gastric decompression and cyclic parenteral nutrition, two of them for terminal care. Six patients died. In all patients, gastrostomy was used throughout and did not contribute to the death of the patients. For seven children, tubes were removed because of resolution of small bowel or gastric outlet obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Gastrostomy is an efficient and well-tolerated method of achieving long-term gastric decompression in children with abdominal obstruction not amenable to surgery and/ or resistant to medical treatment.     

儿童先天性肺囊性病胸腔镜手术的围手术期并发症

目的:分析儿童先天性肺囊性病胸腔镜手术围手术期并发症的原因,讨论降低并发症发生率的方法。方法:收集2012年5月至2019年12月于北京儿童医院胸外科进行胸腔镜手术的672例肺囊性病患儿的病例资料。其中,男418例,女254例;中位手术年龄为14个月,手术年龄范围为1~189个月。手术方式根据病变范围选择肺叶切除或肺段...     

Fate of the unligated vertical vein after repair of supracardiac anomalous pulmonary venous connection

OBJECTIVE: To determine the fate of the unligated vertical vein after repair of isolated supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC). METHODS: We reviewed the outcome of 28 patients who were diagnosed to have isolated supracardiac TAPVC and determined the fate of the unligated vertical vein. RESULTS: Of the 28 patients, four died before surgery. The remaining 24 patients underwent surgical correction of TAPVC with (n = 5) or without (n = 19) ligation of vertical vein at a median age of 20 days (range: 1-574 days). There were no significant differences in age, weight, presence of pulmonary venous obstruction, need for preoperative inotropic and ventilatory support, cardiopulmonary bypass duration, postoperative pulmonary hypertensive crisis and requirement of peritoneal dialysis between patients with and those without vertical vein ligation. The in-hospital surgical mortality was 50% (12/24), with 83% (10/12) of deaths occurring before 1990. Patients who died after surgery were significantly younger (median age: 5.5 days vs 37 days, P = 0.005), lighter (3.3 +/- 0.5 kg vs 3.9 +/- 0.6 kg, P = 0.016), more likely to have pulmonary venous obstruction preoperatively (75% vs 12%, P = 0.039) and have undergone surgery before 1990 (83% vs 33%, P = 0.036). The 12 survivors were followed up for a median of 4.7 years (range: 2.3-18.1 years), 10 of whom had their vertical vein unligated. The vertical vein remained patent in five (50%) patients, while stenosis of pulmonary venous anastomosis was only present in one patient. Of these five patients, three had subsequently undergone surgical ligation of the vertical vein to eliminate a large left-to-right shunt. CONCLUSIONS: Patency of the unligated vertical vein is common after the repair of supracardiac TAPVC, even in the absence of pulmonary venous obstruction. The degree of left-to-right shunt through the patent vertical vein may be so significant as to warrant surgical ligation.     

Role of acquired protein C deficiency in a case of pulmonary arterial and multiple venous thromboses

After surgical repair at birth of an omphalocele, a one-year old child died with pulmonary hypertension; multiple venous thromboses were associated with pulmonary arterial thrombosis and acquired protein C deficiency. The features of pulmonary embolism in children are reviewed and the role of protein C deficiency is discussed.     

Cardiopulmonary function during long-term central venous catheterization

A prospective study was performed in an ambulatory group of infants, children, and young adults with neoplastic disorders to determine the prevalence of significant cardiopulmonary complications during long-term central venous catheterization. A cohort of 20 consecutive patients who had central venous catheters in situ for a mean of 13.5 months underwent pulmonary function testing, chest radiography, ventilation perfusion lung scintigraphy, electrocardiography, and echocardiography. No significant complications were seen. Specifically, there was no evidence of localized thrombus formation or pulmonary emboli, and no indirect evidence of pulmonary hypertension. In addition, we reviewed retrospectively the autopsy reports of 15 patients who died with central venous catheters in place. Three of these patients had superficial endocardial reactions. One patient had a right atrial mural thrombus related to the catheter, but two other patients were noted to have left atrial mural thrombi. This study demonstrates that central venous catheters can be used safely on a long-term basis in ambulatory patients requiring frequent venous access for treatment of their neoplastic disorders.     

Long term complications of inferior vena cava thrombosis.

AIM: To evaluate the long term outcome after paediatric inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis. METHODS: A combined retrospective and prospective study on infants and children with IVC thrombosis treated at Aachen and Maastricht University Hospitals between 1980 and 1999. RESULTS: Forty patients were enrolled, including four with preceding cardiac catheterisation, 18 with central venous saphenous lines, and an additional eight with umbilical venous catheters. Six patients died within three months of diagnosis; one patient was lost to follow up. Twelve of the remaining 33 patients had suffered from limited IVC thrombosis; during follow up (for up to nine years) none showed persisting caval obstruction (successful thrombolysis, n = 2; spontaneous recanalisation, n = 10). The remaining 21 patients presented with extensive IVC thrombosis. During follow up (for up to 18 years) complete restitution was found in only four cases (one thrombolysis, two surgery, one spontaneous recanalisation). Persisting iliac and/or caval venous obstruction occurred in 17 patients, including six with thrombolysis. Varicose veins were found in 12, and post-thrombotic syndrome in seven of these cases. According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, 30% of patients with persisting venous disease will develop post-thrombotic syndrome within 10 years of the thrombotic event. CONCLUSIONS: Infants and children with extensive IVC thrombosis are at high risk for persisting venous disease and serious long term complications. Prospective trials are urgently needed to establish effective treatment strategies and to improve long term prognosis. Central venous catheters, contributing to IVC thrombosis in the majority of cases reported here, should be inserted only if essential.     

右心房异构引起的远期结果及心律失常

目的　回顾性研究右心房异构患儿的远期结果及有症状性心律失常的发生率及其与死亡的关系。方法　回顾 1980年 1月～ 2 0 0 0年 12月收治的 116例右心房异构婴幼儿和儿童的治疗和预后情况。将右心房异构的患儿分为肺静脉正常回流和肺静脉异位回流两组 ,通过比较两组患儿的预后来分析导致预后不良的因素 ,并对其中已经完成或准备接受外科手术治疗的 85例 ,分析其有症状性心律失常的类型、发病时间和发病诱因 ,从而了解有症状性心律失常对患儿的长期预后所造成的影响。结果　 116例中 ,大多数患儿 ( 96 % )的临床症状是紫绀 ,出现临床症状的年龄中位数为 1天(范围 1天～ 3 7岁 )。其中 31例 ( 2 7% )无手术适应证 ,最终死亡。早期肺静脉修复手术的死亡率为2 /8例 ) ,Fontan手术的早期死亡率为 2 6 % ( 5 /19) ,腔肺静脉分流术的早期死亡率为 8% ( 1/13) ,体肺循环动脉分流术的早期死亡率为 2 % ( 1/5 3)。晚期死亡与感染 (n =11)、原因不明的突然死亡 (n =7)和心律失常 (n =1)有关。肺静脉正常回流的患儿 ,其中 1、5、10和 15岁患儿的平均存活率分别为( 81± 5 ) %、( 6 7± 7) %、( 6 0± 8) %和 ( 4 3± 12 ) % ,与非阻塞性肺静脉异位回流患儿的平均存活率相似。导致高死亡率的危险因素包括肺静脉回流阻     

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease in children

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-driven post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality following transplantation, and it occurs more frequently in children than in adults. Of 22 (5%) children at our institution who developed tissue-proven PTLD 1-60 months (mean 16.5 months) following organ transplant, 11 died: nine of these 22 patients developed PTLD between 1989 and 1993, and seven (78%) died; the remaining 13 developed PTLD between 1994 and 1998, and four (31%) died (p = 0.08). All nine patients who developed PTLD < 6 months after transplant died, but 11 of 13 patients who manifested disease > or = 6 months after transplant survived (p = 0.0002). Ten of 11 (91%) survivors, but only two of eight (25%) children who died, had serologic evidence of EBV infection at the time of PTLD diagnosis (p = 0.04). EBV seroconversion identified patients at risk for developing PTLD, but also characterized patients with sufficient immune function to survive EBV-related lymphoid proliferation. In situ hybridization for EBER1 mRNA was diagnostically helpful because it detected EBV in tissue sections of all 20 patients with B-cell PTLD, including those with negative serology.     

Plasma arginine vasopressin and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion in tuberculous meningitis.

Biochemical evidence of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) was documented in 17 of 24 (71%) children with tuberculous meningitis. Plasma arginine vasopressin concentrations in patients with signs of SIADH were significantly higher (median, 15.44 (range, 1.62 to greater than 24.52) pg/ml; n = 14) than those without (median, 1.91 (range, 0.44 to 4.91) pg/ml; n = 6) (P less than 0.002). Patients who developed evidence of SIADH were older than those who did not (median, 34 (range, 6 to 101) months vs. 10 (range, 6 to 38) months; P less than 0.007). Five patients with and none without died. In 9 patients evidence of SIADH developed only after hospitalization. These patients received a median of 58 (range, 28 to 109) ml/kg/day fluids (n = 7) before developing evidence of SIADH compared with 107 (range, 58 to 146) ml/kg/day received by patients who did not develop SIADH (n = 6) (P = 0.035). SIADH occurs commonly and its presence appears to influence the outcome of tuberculous meningitis in children.     

Inferior vena cava filters in children: our experience and suggested guidelines

Although use of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters for prophylaxis against pulmonary embolism (PE) is well reported in adults, long-term studies in children are lacking. We performed retrospective review of imaging and clinical database of IVC filters for the last 12 years. Thirty-five patients (mean age: 15.5 y) underwent filter placement and/or retrieval. Indications for placement were contraindication to anticoagulation with known deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (18) or high risk of venous thromboembolism (5), recurrent DVT despite anticoagulation (1), and prophylaxis before endovascular thrombolysis (8). All filter placements were technically successful without any complications. Filter retrieval was successful in 15 of 19 attempted (79%) at a mean of 42 days. Two complications occurred during retrieval: IVC stenosis successfully treated with angioplasty and contained IVC perforation. Endothelialization of filter prevented retrieval in 4 patients. Mean follow-up was 29.3 months. No patients had IVC thrombosis, breakthrough pulmonary embolism, filter fracture, or embolism. Two patients had recurrent DVT. Our results indicate that IVC filters can be successfully placed and retrieved in children with minimal procedural complications; follow-up demonstrates acceptable complication rate owing to presence of filters. Prophylactic IVC filter placement may be considered before endovascular thrombolysis for lower extremity DVT. Retrievable filters should be used in children for appropriate indications.     

Pulmonary thromboembolism in children

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is uncommonly diagnosed in the pediatric patient, and indeed often only discovered on autopsy. The incidence of pediatric PTE depends upon the associated underlying disease, diagnostic tests used, and index of suspicion. Multiple risk factors can be found including: peripartum asphyxia, dyspnea, haemoptysis, chest pain, dehydration, septicemia, central venous lines (CVLs), trauma, surgery, ongoing hemolysis, vascular lesions, malignancy, renal disease, foreign bodies or, uncommonly, intracranial venous sinus thrombosis, burns, or nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis. Other types of embolism can occur uncommonly in childhood and need to be recognized, as the required treatment will vary. These include pulmonary cytolytic thrombi, foreign bodies, tumor and septic emboli, and post-traumatic fat emboli. No single noninvasive test for pulmonary embolism is both sensitive and specific. A combination of diagnostic procedures must be used to identify suspect or confirmed cases of PTE. This article reviews the risk factors, clinical presentation and treatment of pulmonary embolism in children. It also highlights the current diagnostic tools and protocols used to evaluate pulmonary embolism in pediatric patients.     

Spontaneous bowel perforation in infants and young children: a clinicopathologic analysis of pathogenesis

BACKGROUND: In children beyond the neonatal stage, spontaneous bowel perforation with no specific cause is rare. It has attracted little notice and does not fit into any established clinical category. This often results in treatment delays. To determine the underlying pathogenesis, a clinicopathologic analysis of this group of patients was performed. METHODS: From 1984 through 1997, 15 previously healthy children (10 boys and 5 girls) with bowel perforations were enrolled in this study. Children in whom the specific cause was established were excluded. The ages of the patients ranged from 3 months to 5 years, 5 months (average age: 2 years, 4 months). Data on clinical course, surgical and pathologic findings, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: All the patients had high fever and acute, watery diarrhea with clinical dehydration. Abdominal distension developed and bowel perforation ensued 5 to 30 days after the onset of diarrhea. In all cases, the perforation consisted of either an isolated patch of bowel (n = 8) or patchy lesions in a segment (n = 7), which was confined to one of the following three anatomic watershed areas: the splenic flexure (n = 7); the lower sigmoid (n = 3); and the ileocecal region (n = 5). One patient died, and three had major sequelae including intra-abdominal abscess, adhesion ileus, and peristomal fistula. Specimens from 13 patients were submitted for histopathologic evaluation. All specimens had acute suppurative inflammation diffusely around the perforation site. Seven had areas of coagulation necrosis of the muscularis propria, especially in the inner circular muscle layer. CONCLUSION: In acute diarrheal diseases, dehydration may cause bowel ischemia and lead to perforation. Physicians should be alert to the possibility of this abdominal catastrophe when progressive abdominal distension followed by acute diarrheal episodes occurs in children.     

The relevance of surgical therapy for bilateral and/or multiple pulmonary metastases in children.

PURPOSE: Pulmonary surgery is frequently used for the treatment of metastases in children with various malignant diseases. The benefit of an aggressive surgical treatment in children with bilateral and/or multiple pulmonary metastases is still discussed controversially. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 10 children (7 girls, 3 boys; age range from 2 to 16.5 years) who underwent thoracotomy for bilateral and/or multiple pulmonary metastases was performed. The primary malignancies were osteosarcoma (n = 4), hepatoblastoma (n = 3), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (n = 1), adrenocortical carcinoma (n = 1) and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 1). Unilateral but multiple pulmonary metastases were found in 3 children. 7 patients showed bilateral pulmonary metastases. Preoperative induction chemotherapy with tumor regression and a subsequent decrease in the size and number of pulmonary metastases was mandatory for the surgery of metastases. RESULTS: Standardized bilateral thoracotomy was performed in 4 patients in 1 operation (in 1 patient combined with a hemihepatectomy), and in 3 patients, in 2 operations on different days. 5 children underwent re-thoracotomy due to recurrent pulmonary metastases (2 patients: unilateral; 3 patients: bilateral; 1 patient: twice bilateral). All visible and palpable metastases (1 - 25) were excised, either by wedge resection, by segment resection or by lobectomy. Postoperative artificial ventilation was necessary for 0 to 24 hours. Postoperative complications included intrathoracic secondary hemorrhage in 3 cases and pneumonia in 1 patient. 2 patients (20%) died of recurrent metastatic disease (osteosarcoma: 1; adrenocortical carcinoma: 1). During a mean follow-up period of 49 months (14 to 66 months after the last thoracotomy), 8 patients (80%) remained in complete remission without clinically relevant respiratory restrictions. CONCLUSION: Complete surgical resection of pulmonary metastases after response to induction chemotherapy may increase survival in carefully selected children, even in cases with multiple and recurrent metastatic disease. In children, bilateral thoracotomy within a single operation is possible without an increased complication rate.     

ECG changes following balloon dilatation of pulmonary valve stenoses

To evaluate the role of electrocardiography in the long-term follow up of children after balloon valvuloplasty of pulmonary stenosis the ECG findings of ten children (4 girls and 6 boys) with a mean age of 7.8 +/- 3.3 years who underwent valvuloplasty of pulmonary stenosis were studied. There was a significant decrease of the gradient across the valve from 61.8 +/- 15.05 mmHg to 24.8 +/- 9.52 mm Hg (p less than 0.001). In all children ECGs were available before dilatation. The frontal plane mean QRS vector moved significantly (p less than 0.02) towards the left from 116.3 +/- 59.86 (67-[-120]) to 86.7 +/- 56.22 (30-[-142]) between three to six months. Further changes between 12 and 24 months after Balloon valvuloplasty of pulmonary stenosis were not significant (71.11 +/- 61.74 (30-[-133])). The sum of the amplitude of RV1 and SV6 (mV) decreased significantly (p less than 0.02) within three to six months from 2.13 +/- 0.64 (1.1-3.1) to 1.53 +/- 0.50 (1-2.3). Later changes within the following 12 to 24 months were not significant (1.2 +/- 0.31 (0.8-1.5)). Since these ECG changes parallel the decrease of the gradient across the pulmonary valve, this would suggest, that besides Doppler-echocardiography ECG seems to have a useful role in the long term follow up of children after valvuloplasty of pulmonary stenosis.     

Risks of severity and readmission of Indigenous and non-Indigenous children hospitalised for bronchiolitis

Objective:   To describe the characteristics of children admitted to Royal Darwin Hospital with bronchiolitis, and to compare the severity of illness and incidence of subsequent readmission in Indigenous and non-Indigenous children.
Design, Setting and Participants:   Retrospective study of 101 children (aged ≤2 years) hospitalised with bronchiolitis to Royal Darwin Hospital between April 2005 and December 2006.
Main Outcome Measures:   Admission characteristics and indices of severity, treatment required (antibiotics etc.), reasons and incidence of readmissions (within 6 months).
Results:   Indigenous children had significantly more severe illness then non-Indigenous children ( n = 80 and 21, respectively), longer hospital stay (median = 6 and 3 days; P = 0.001) and oxygen requirement (median = 3 and 0; P = 0.004), pneumonia ( n = 14 and 0; P = 0.04) and antibiotics treatment (48 and 4; P = 0.001). The readmission rate for bronchiolitis was high (23%) with no significant difference between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children.
Conclusion:   Indigenous Australian children hospitalised with bronchiolitis have significantly more severe illness than non-Indigenous children. Points of intervention that can address this and the identified high readmission rate (within 6 months) are required.