This study provides reference values for diaphragmatic excursion and thickness in healthy infants and children. Percentile curves for right diaphragmatic excursion plotted against body weight were plotted.

Sonographic assessment of diaphragmatic thickness and excursion has been found to be an accurate tool in predicting successful extubation of adult patients from invasive mechanical ventilation. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of sonographic assessment of diaphragmatic thickness and excursion in predicting successful extubation of preterm infants from invasive conventional mechanical ventilation. Preterm infants less than 32 weeks gestation who required invasive conventional mechanical ventilation were evaluated by diaphragmatic sonography within 1 h of their planned extubation. Infants were classified into successful or failed extubation groups based on their ability to stay off invasive mechanical ventilation for 72 h after extubation. Inspiratory and expiratory thickness plus excursion of the right and left hemidiaphragm as well as diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF) measures were compared between groups. We included 43 eligible infants, of whom 34 infants succeeded and 9 infants failed extubation. Infants in the successful extubation group had a significantly higher expiratory thickness of the right and left hemidiaphragm, excursion of the right and left hemidiaphragm, inspiratory thickness of the left hemidiaphragm, and DTF of the left hemidiaphragm compared with infants who failed extubation. The receiver-operating characteristic curves showed that excursion of the right and left hemidiaphragm has the highest significant accuracy in predicting successful extubation of preterm infants among all diaphragmatic parameters (AUC is 0.98 and 0.96, respectively; p value < 0.001 for both). Conclusion: We conclude that diaphragmatic excursion is a useful indicator for successful extubation of preterm infants from mechanical ventilation. What is Known: • Invasive mechanical ventilation induces ventilator induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD) particularly when used for long time. • Assessment of diaphragmatic dimensions and functional activity has been a valuable tool in predicting successful extubation of adult patients from invasive mechanical ventilation. What is New: • Sonographic assessment of diaphragmatic dimensions can be used to predict successful extubation of preterm infants from mechanical ventilation. • Sonographic assessment of diaphragmatic excursion shows the highest sensitivity and specificity in predicting successful extubation of preterm infants.

Background: Treatment failure of sepsis caused by Escherichia coli (E. Coli) is a leading cause of death of infants and children in intensive care units. Objective: To detect the prevalence of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-genes between E. coli isolates from infants and children with septicemia and to identify their antibiotic sensitivity pattern. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study performed on 88 patients with sepsis. The isolated E. coli were identified by Gram stain and biochemically by the Microscan automated system. ESBL and carbapenemase producing E. coli were isolated on double disk diffusion and EDTA double disk, respectively. Polymerase chain reaction for ESBL and carbapenemase producing E. coli genes were performed. Bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics was tested. The initial results were measured through the 30-days of hospital admission. IRB approved the study. Results: Of 88 patients with sepsis, 49 and 30 strains were ESBL producing and carbapenemase producing E. coli; respectively. Neither risk factors for infection nor clinical picture can differentiate between ESBL and carbapenemase producing E. coli. The most frequently detected gene of ESBL producing E. coli was SHV, it was more sensitive to Piperacillin/Tazobactam (90%) and cefepime (86.7%) while for carbapenemase-producing E. coli; IMP was the most frequent, its sensitivity was high to Piperacillin/Tazobactam and Ciprofloxacin (52.6% each). Conclusion: The commonest gene of ESBL producing E. coli is SHV whereas for carbapenemase-producing E. coli is IMP. Piperacillin/Tazobactam is the candidate drug to start in children with septicemia and suspected ESBL or carbapenemase-producing E. coli infection.

Registry name: Clinical Trials.gov. Registration number: NCT02421328. Web link to study on registry: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02421328.

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