The annual rate of Down syndrome (DS) births in Jerusalem is stable, regardless of prenatal screening, and diagnostic measures. We aimed to evaluate our historical cohort for obstetrical characteristics and the neonatal course and complications. We reviewed computerized medical files of neonates with the diagnosis of DS born in the four main hospitals in Jerusalem between the years 2000 and 2010 and evaluated for maternal history and primary neonatal hospitalization. A total of 403 neonates were diagnosed with DS. The average maternal age was 35.6 years, 73% were born via spontaneous vaginal delivery. In all gestational ages, the mean birth weight and head circumference percentiles were significantly lower than the general population (P < 0.001 for both) and at each week the HC percentile was lower than the weight percentile (P < 0.0001), worse among males. Mortality during the primary hospitalization was 3.7%. The most common anomalies were cardiac (79%) with either congenital defects or functional abnormalities, neither influenced the length of hospitalization. The main reasons for prolonged hospitalization were prematurity and anomalies of other (non-cardiac) organs. Common perinatal complications included respiratory failure or need for oxygen supplementation (32%), hyperbilirubinemia (23%), sepsis (6.4%), and feeding difficulties (13%). About 84% were fed by human milk; of those, two thirds were exclusively breast-fed and one third were supplemented with infant formula. In conclusion, infants with DS were small for gestational age with relatively reduced head circumference. Despite the increased rate of congenital anomalies and perinatal complications, most infants were discharged home in good medical condition and were exclusively breastfed.
Rationale
Necrotizing pneumonia is characterized by destruction and liquefaction of the lung tissue and loss of the normal pulmonary parenchymal architecture. During the course of resolution areas of hyperlucency are formed, sometimes with the development of giant lung cysts that can be a field with fluid resembling lung abscess. There is no consensus on the management of these abnormalities.
Objective
To assess the prevalence of giant lung cysts as a complication of necrotizing pneumonia and to report our experience with conservative treatment that achieved complete resolution.
Methods
Medical chart reviews of all children aged 0 to 18 years hospitalized with necrotizing pneumonia in a single tertiary center from 2015 to 2017, demographic data, and clinical course during and after hospitalization as well as serial chest imaging were collected.
Results
During the study period, 761 children were diagnosed with community‐acquired pneumonia, 16 of 761 (2.3%) had necrotizing pneumonia and 6 of 16 (37.5%) with necrotizing pneumonia complicated by a giant lung cyst or lung abscess. All were closely observed and showed complete clinical and radiographic resolution with antibiotic treatment.
Conclusions
Treatment of giant lung cyst formation following necrotizing pneumonia by a conservative approach with prolonged antibiotics results in complete recovery with no need for invasive procedures.
Study Objectives: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a highly prevalent condition affecting 2% to 4% of children. However, the prevalence and characteristics of SDB in children younger than 2 years and the effect of prematurity as a risk factor remains unclear. Methods: Children younger than 24 months referred for PSG at two medical centers between the years 2014 to 2018 were included in this retrospective analysis. We excluded children with genetic syndromes. Polysomnography (PSG) was performed and scored according to American Academy of Sleep Medicine guidelines. Results: Ninety-eight children were included (age 14.1 ± 6.4 [2-23] months), with 31 born prematurely (PRETERM; 24 to 34 weeks gestational age). PRETERM had increased odds of SDB (age and sex adjusted), using a cutoff of AHI ≥ 5 events/h with an odds ratio of 4.3 (95% confidence interval 1.5-12.9). Gestational age was the only significant predictor for SDB in this cohort, every additional week of gestation reducing the odds of SDB by 12.5%. PRETERM SDB was also characterized by more severe nocturnal hypoxemia, increased frequency of central apnea, and altered sleep architecture. Conclusions: Current findings underscore the importance of prematurity antecedents as a risk factor for SDB in young symptomatic children younger than 2 years referred for a PSG. Future studies focused on improved estimates of the prevalence of SDB among nonreferral young children appear warranted.
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