Increased prevalence of rotavirus among children associated gastroenteritis in Riyadh Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study is to assess the epidemiology along with the molecular structure of rotavirus causing pediatric diarrhea among Saudi patients. However, in this report we sited the epidemiological reflect coming from our project

Effect of atmosphere on the tear film layer

Aim: to demonstrate the effect of the atmosphere (heat and humidity) on the eye by comparing the outdoor and indoor workers.  Method: 120 eyes of 60 subjects volunteers from the Saudi electrical company (SECO), their age range was 24 to 40 years. The Schirmer strips test and break up time test were used to evaluates tear film quantity and quality. Result: The results demonstrate that there is a statistical significant difference in tear film quantity and quality between the outdoor and indoor subjects using the Schirmer test and break up time test. Conclusion: This study show the effect of atmosphere heat and humidity on the tear film layer, and the results demonstrate that there significant difference in the tear film quantity and quality between the outdoor and the indoor subjects

Unusual Testicular Ultrasound Findings in a Child with Henoch-Schönlein Purpura

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a systemic vasculitis characterized by the deposition of immune complexes containing immunoglobulin A antibodies. In cases of HSP, scrotal symptoms may precede other manifestations. Gray-scale and color Doppler ultrasound (US) is the primary imaging modality used to study scrotal diseases in children. In this report, we discuss a case of HSP in a 12-year-old boy with bilateral acute scrotal pain. Unusual features were sonographically observed in the isolated affected testes. In systemic vasculitis such as HSP, the scrotal involvement is uncommon and isolated affected testes with unusual sonographic features are unique in this case. Gray-scale and color Doppler US showed bilateral scrotal enlargement with subcutaneous scrotal edema and heterogeneous echogenicity of both testes. However, they maintained their normal vascularity and normal size for the patient's age. There was no sonographic evidence of hydrocele, epididymal involvement, or torsion. A follow-up examination 10 days after the initiation of steroid therapy showed significant symptom improvement. US demonstrated that both testes had normal echogenicity and normal vascularity. Scrotal skin thickening resolved. Radiologist awareness of such sonographic findings supported by proper clinical presentation is vital to distinguish HSP from other scrotal diseases, resulting in its safe management and the avoidance of unnecessary surgical exploration

Seasonal variations of respiratory viruses detected from children with respiratory tract infections in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

ARTIs have a huge impact in health systems in which 20–30% of all hospital admissions and 30–60% of practitioner visits are related to respiratory tract infections. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence, age distribution, and seasonal variation of respiratory viruses. This study was descriptive retrospective study in which all patients 14 years of age and below who presented with signs and symptoms of ARTIs between January 2013 and December 2014 and had respiratory specimen tested by direct immunofluorescence assays for viruses identification were included in the study. During that period, a total of 4611 patients who presented with ARTIs from January 2013 to December 2014 were investigated, viruses were detected in 1115 (24%). RSV was associated with 97.4% of the total viral pathogens. Viruses were detected throughout all the two years with a peak in winter; Dec (n: 265), Jan (n: 418), Feb (n: 218), and Mar (n: 109). Viral pathogens are very important cause of ARTIs in our region. RSV was the most common virus detected with the highest detection rate in children who are two years old and below. A multi-center surveillance with more sensitive detection methods like PCR may help to provide a comprehensive understanding of virus distribution in our area, which may contribute implant an effective prevention approach for each virus. Keywords: Pediatrics, Infectious diseases, Respiratory infections, Respiratory syncytial virus, Saudi Arabi

2. Central line associated blood stream infection in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit: Incidence, risk factors, and outcome

Clinical research. Presentation Type: Oral presentation. Introduction: Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infection (CLABSI) is a serious infection associated with 28,000 deaths and expenses from $296 million to$2.3 billion yearly. There is scarcity of data on CLABSI in pediatric cardiac intensive care units (PCICU). The aim of the study is to describe the risk factors, causative organisms and outcome of CLABSI in a PCICU. Methodology: The study was retrospective cohort in which all charts of patients admitted to the PCICU from January 2012 to September 2012 were reviewed. Patients who had central line were followed to see if they develop CLABSI from the central line insertion date until discharge. Results: Two hundred and sixty-one patients were included in the study. There were 2275 central line days and 19 CLABSI episodes (8.35 CLABSIs per 1000 central line days). Most common causative pathogens isolated were gram negative bacteria (N = 10, 50%) with Klebsiella pneumoniae and coagulase negative Staphylococcus were the leading causative organisms (N = 4, 20% each). Patients who developed the infection had a longer stay at the PCICU with a mean of 27.1 days compared to 8.20 days for non CLABSI Patients (P 7 days were independent risk factors. Conclusion: CLABSI increased the length of PCICU stay and mortality, yet it has recognizable associated risk factors. Infection control measures should be carefully implemented with special attention given to patients with CLABSI risk factors

Brucellosis in children: Prevention, diagnosis and management guidelines for general pediatricians endorsed by the Saudi Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (SPIDS)

AbstractIn Saudi Arabia, brucellosis is an endemic zoonotic disease. Although it is believed that children are not commonly involved, a number of reports from endemic areas exhibited a high percentage of pediatric patients (20–30% of affected patients). Clinical manifestations of childhood brucellosis are varied and range from minimal symptoms to extreme morbidity and occasional fatality. Asymptomatic infections are also not uncommon. The fact that brucellosis is endemic in the Kingdom became clear in the early 1980s. Several reasons have been considered, but the most prominent of them is the increase in the importation of animals from areas where brucellosis is endemic, especially some African countries. Consumption of raw milk and, to a lesser extent, contact with infected animals or their products are the primary routes of infection. The consumption of fresh, unpasteurized milk from camels is a traditional practice, and people believe that boiling the milk removes nutritional value