Development of a mobile phone camera-based transcutaneous bilirubinometer for low-resource settings

Newborns in high-income countries are routinely screened for neonatal jaundice using transcutaneous bilirubinometery (TcB). In low-and middle-income countries, TcB is not widely used due to a lack of availability; however, mobile-phone approaches for TcB could help expand screening opportunities. We developed a mobile phone-based approach for TcB and validated the method with a 37 patient multi-ethnic pilot study. We include a custom-designed snap-on adapter that is used to create a spatially resolved diffuse reflectance detection configuration with the illumination provided by the mobile-phone LED flash. Monte-Carlo models of reflectance from neonatal skin were used to guide the design of an adapter for filtered red-green-blue (RGB) mobile-phone camera reflectance measurements. We extracted measures of reflectance from multiple optimized spatial-offset regions-of-interest (ROIs) and a linear model was developed and cross-validated. This resulted in a correlation between total serum bilirubin and mobile-phone TcB estimated bilirubin with a R²= 0.42 and Bland-Altman limits of agreement of +6.4 mg/dL to -7.0 mg/dL. These results indicate that a mobile phone with a modified adapter can be utilized to measure neonatal bilirubin values, thus creating a novel tool for neonatal jaundice screening in low-resource settings.     

The Role of Esophageal Stent Placement in the Management of Postesophagectomy Anastomotic Leak

Background/Aim:

Anastomotic leak after esophagectomy is one of the most challenging complications resulting in a high morbidity and mortality and prolonged hospitalization. The study intended to assess the outcome of endoluminal self-expanding stent in the treatment of this problem.

Settings and Design:

Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Arhus University Hospital, Skejby, Arhus, Denmark. A retrospective study.

Patients and Methods:

From January 2007 to December 2010, 209 patients underwent esophagectomy for malignant disease of the esophagus or the cardia. Twenty patients developed anastomotic leak. Treatment consisted of conservative measures, surgery, and stent placement. Details of treatment, clinical outcome, complications, and mortality were evaluated.

Statistical analysis:

None.

Results:

One hundred and forty-seven patients (70.3%) had carcinoma of the cardia, whereas 62 patients (29.7%) had esophageal carcinoma. Twenty patients (9.5%) developed anastomotic leak; small (<1 cm) in two patients (10%); managed conservatively and bigger than 1 cm in 15 patients (75%); treated with an esophageal stent (Hanaro stent, DIAGMED Healthcare, Thirsk, YO7 3TD, United Kingdom). In three patients (15%), perforation of the staple line of the intrathoracic gastric conduit was found and managed by reoperation. Functional sealing of anastomoses after stent placement could be achieved in 10 patients (67%). Stent-related morbidity developed in five patients (33%): Migration of the stent, n=3 and tracheoesophageal fistula, n=2. Stents were smoothly removed 3 weeks after discharge. The mean hospital stay was 25 days. There was only one stent-related death (6.6%).

Conclusion:

Endoluminal stent implantation is an effective and safe option in the management of postesophagectomy leaks.     

"Heart Failure: Meeting the Challenges of Surveillance and Knowledge Translation in Resource-poor Settings"

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in high income countries. Shortage of population based HF studies from Low and Middle Income countries (LMIC) make global prevalence estimates difficult. In this editorial we discuss the possibility of generating HF data in LMICs by initiating HF surveillance systems integrated into the existing health surveillance system..     

Characteristics of upright versus supine reflux pattern in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux

IntroductionMany laryngeal-related problems have been attributed to laryngopharyngeal reflux including dysphonia, frequent throat clearing, chronic cough, and globus sensation. However, there is still controversy regarding diagnosis and clinical presentation of this disorder.ObjectiveThe main objective of this study is to describe laryngopharyngeal reflux characteristics of different reflux position patterns in laryngopharyngeal reflux patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal pH monitoring.MethodsA retrospective chart review was conducted for 161 laryngopharyngeal reflux patients diagnosed with 24 h oro-pharyngeal pH monitoring. Study subjects were categorized into upright and supine laryngopharyngeal reflux groups based on the pH results. The two groups were compared regarding the clinical presentation and pH characteristics.ResultsSignificant higher rates of upright laryngopharyngeal reflux position than supine laryngopharyngeal reflux position (P < 0.0001) were reported among the study group. Reflux symptoms index results were significantly higher in the upright larybgopharyngeal reflux group compared to the supine laryngopharyngeal reflux group. 24 h oropharyngeal pH measurements composite Ryan score was significantly higher in the upright group compared to the supine group (P < 0.0001). No significant difference was found between the upright and supine laryngopharyngeal reflux groups regarding the frequency of clinical presentation or voice handicap index ratings.ConclusionLaryngopharyngeal reflux was found to be more prevalent occurring in the upright position among the study group. Reflux-related characteristics including pH parameters were more evident in the upright laryngopharyngeal reflux position.     

Secondary implantation of implantable collamer lens (ICL) for correction of anisometropic hyperopia in a 3-year-old pseudophakic child

We report the first case of secondary implantation of implantable collamer lens (ICL) for correction of anisometropic hyperopia in a 3-year-old pseudophakic child. The ICL implantation was considered in our patient due to parental noncompliance for contact lens and spectacles use for one year. In terms of efficacy, the preoperative refractive error of +7.00–1.75 diopter (D) reduced to +1.00–1.75 D. The uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) significantly improved from 20/400 (preoperatively) to 20/50 (postoperatively). In terms of safety, after an uneventful implantation surgery, the ICL was well tolerated, and remained well centered, with no serious postoperative complications encountered over a 22-month follow-up.     

Severity and Resolution of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Newly Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetic Children before and During The COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVESTo epidemiologically assess the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis at the teaching hospital of the university, Eastern province, Saudi Arabia.METHODSWe enrolled newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus cases among pediatric patients attending the emergency department and outpatient clinics during 2019-2021. The participants’ data were collected from electronic medical records which included patients’ age at diagnosis, sex, nationality, height, weight, year of diagnosis, length of stay, presentation, random blood sugar, blood gas readings, electrolyte panel, and time of resolution of the diabetic ketoacidosis if present.RESULTS108 patients were included with an average age of 8.87 ± 4.21 years and 53.70% were females. The demographic characteristics of all diabetic pediatric patients prior to COVID-19 and during COVID-19 were studied and the difference was statistically insignificant. Furthermore, initial pH and HCO3 tests were found to be lower in the moderate to severe diabetic ketoacidosis group (7.17 and 11.2, respectively) compared to the mild group (7.27 and 15.50, respectively) and the differences were statically significant (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONPatients newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus during the COVID-19 pandemic tended to have a more severe presentation of diabetic ketoacidosis in terms of PH and HCO3.     

Effect of postnatal home visits on maternal/infant outcomes in Syria: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: Early postpartum home visiting is universal in many Western countries. Studies from developing countries on the effects of home visits are rare. In Syria, where the postpartum period is rather ignored, this study aimed to assess whether a community-based intervention of postnatal home visits has an effect on maternal postpartum morbidities; infant morbidity; uptake of postpartum care; use of contraceptive methods; and on selected neonatal health practices. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial was carried out in Damascus. Three groups of new mothers were randomly allocated to receive either 4 postnatal home visits (A), one visit (B), or no visit (C). SAMPLE: A total of 876 women were allocated and followed up. INTERVENTION: Registered midwives with special training made a one or a series of home visits providing information, educating, and supporting women. RESULTS: A significantly higher proportion of mothers in Groups A and B reported exclusively breastfeeding their infants (28.5% and 30%, respectively) as compared with Group C (20%), who received no visits. There were no reported differences between groups in other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: While postpartum home visits significantly increased exclusive breastfeeding, other outcomes did not change. Further studies framed in a nonbiomedical context are needed. Other innovative approaches to improve postnatal care in Syria are needed.