AIM:This study aimed to assess the prevalence of early postoperative arrhythmias after cardiac operation in the pediatric population, and to analyse possible risk factors.MATERIAL AND METHODS:Cross-sectional study included 30 postoperative patients, with age range four up to 144 months. They were selected from those admitted to the Cardiology Unit in the Pediatric department of Ain Shams University hospitals, after undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery for correction of congenital cardiac defects. All patients had preoperative sinus rhythm and normal preoperative electrolytes levels. All patients’ records about age, weight, type of surgery, intraoperative arrhythmias, cardiopulmonary bypass time, ischemic time and use of inotropic drugs were taken before they were admitted to the specialised pediatric post-surgery intensive care unit (ICU).RESULTS:Arrhythmia was documented in 15 out of 30 patients (50%). Statistically significant difference between the arrhythmic and non-arrhythmic group were recorded in relation to the age of operation (23 vs 33 months), weight (12 vs. 17 kg), ischemic time (74.5 vs. 54 min), cardiopulmonary bypass time (125.5 vs. 93.5min), inotrope use (1.6 vs. 1.16) and postoperative ICU stay (5.8 vs. 2.7 days), P<0.05.CONCLUSION:Early postoperative arrhythmias following surgery for congenital heart disease are relatively frequent in children (50%). Younger age, lower body weight, longer ischemic time and bypass time, and more inotrope use are all risk factors for postoperative arrhythmias and lead to increase the hospital stay.

Background: Children with chronic lung diseases are vulnerable to develop bacterial colonization of their distal airways. The aim of this study was to assess role of flexible bronchoscopy to determine distal airway microbial colonization and inflammation in children with chronic lung diseases compared with conventional methods.

No abstract

Background Acute respiratory failure develops in infants with bronchiolitis and Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) because of hypoxemia, due to mismatch between ventilation and perfusion. Nasal continuous airway pressure (nCPAP) and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) improve the work of breathing and oxygenation .High flow nasal cannula (HFNC), also called heated humidified high flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC), is a new non-invasive ventilation therapy that seems to be well tolerated in infants with hypoxemic respiratory failure. Aim To compare the effectiveness and the outcome of Heated Humidified High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) versus Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (NCPAP), as a primary mode of respiratory support, in patients with respiratory failure due to pneumonia or bronchiolitis at PICU regarding demographic data, length of admission, increasing of positive pressure and need of intubation. Patients and Methods observational study was conducted on 40 patients with acute respiratory failure due to either bronchiolitis or community acquired pneumonia (CAP), admitted to Paediatric ICU, Children Hospital, Ain Shams University, in the time period between February 2018 to July 2019. The patients, aged between 1 month to 5 years, were subjected to detailed clinical history and examination.All patients received continuous monitoring of electrocardiograph ,pulse oximetry and respiratory rate .The patients were treated either with (HFNC) Humidified high flow nasal cannula or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Studied groups were compared regarding demographic data, increasing in respiratory support ,need of intubation, fate and length of admission during PICU stay. Results HFNC was as efficient as CPAP in lowering RR(respiratory rate) and HR(heart rate) in infants with bronchiolitis and community acquired pneumonia. Thus HFNC group was as significant as NCPAP group in treatment of bronchiolitis and CAP regarding length of admission ,increasing of positive pressure and need of iintubation in PICU . Conclusion This study concluded that HFNC is as efficient as nCPAP for initial respiratory support in young infants, hospitalized in a PICU for moderate to severe acute respiratory failure.