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Medicine (Baltimore) 2022 Jun 24;101(25):e29552. Epub 2022 Jun 24.

Department of Radiology, Hunan Children's Hospital, University of South China, Changsha, China.

Abstract: This study aims to compare the differences between obstructed and unobstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) using echocardiography, and to evaluate the clinical and echocardiographic parameters associated with pulmonary venous obstruction (PVO).We conducted a retrospective study of 70 patients with TAPVC between 2014 and 2019. The morphologic and hemodynamic echocardiographic parameters of patients were observed and measured, and the parameters between obstructed and unobstructed TAPVC were compared. Read More

BMC Pediatr 2022 Jun 24;22(1):363. Epub 2022 Jun 24.

Department of Pediatrics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.

Objective: Nutritional deficiency soon after birth is a risk factor of chronic lung disease (bronchopulmonary dysplasia, BPD). Afflicted infants are further prone to inadequate growth during hospitalization (extrauterine growth restriction, EUGR). This multi-center retrospective study investigated risk factors of EUGR, specifically in very preterm infants with BPD. Read More

Early Hum Dev 2022 Jun 13;170:105605. Epub 2022 Jun 13.

Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Prague, Czech Republic; UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address:

Background: Mechanical ventilation induces changes in intrapleural, intrathoracic and intra-abdominal pressure. These changes have various implications on cardiac output (CO).

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of measuring changes in CO after elective extubation in neonates using the principle of transthoracic bioreactance (TBR). Read More

Cureus 2022 Jun 18;14(6):e26071. Epub 2022 Jun 18.

Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, USA.

The vulnerability of chromosome 22q11.2 region to rearrangement is due to several low copy repeat (LCR) sequences. These rearrangements are involved in syndromes that share similar phenotypic features. Read More

JACC Case Rep 2022 Jun 15;4(12):699-703. Epub 2022 Jun 15.

Division of Lung Transplant, Department of Transplantation, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.

A patient diagnosed with expanded Goldenhar complex with oculoauriculovertebral spectrum complicated with complex pulmonary and congenital heart disease, underwent successful heart-lung transplantation 21 years ago, with excellent functional outcome and good quality of life. Heart-lung transplantation can be an option of care for patients with expanded Goldenhar complex. (). Read More

Front Genet 2022 6;13:921925. Epub 2022 Jun 6.

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xin Hua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is one of the most common congenital heart defects causing pulmonary hypertension, infective endocarditis, and even death. The important role of genetics in determining spontaneous ductal closure has been well-established. However, as many of the identified variants are rare, thorough identification of the associated genetic factors is necessary to further explore the genetic etiology of PDA. Read More

J Neurosurg Case Lessons 2022 Jun 6;3(23):CASE2247. Epub 2022 Jun 6.

Departments of Ophthalmology.

Background: In the past decade, next-generation sequencing has spurred significant progress in the understanding of cytogenetic alterations that occur in meningiomas. Eighty percent of adult meningiomas harbor pathogenic somatic variants involving , , , , , or Somatic variants in associated with meningiomas usually localize to the gene's WD40 domains but are mutually exclusive to germline mutations, which cause a distinctive autosomal dominant syndrome.

Observations: This case involved a 15-year-old girl with bilateral optic nerve sheath meningiomas, diffuse meningiomatosis, and syndromic features, including craniosynostosis, brain anomalies, syndactyly, brachydactyly, epicanthus, and patent ductus arteriosus. Read More

Maedica (Bucur) 2022 Mar;17(1):205-210

"Marie Curie" Emergency Children's Hospital, Bucharest, Romania.

Duct-dependent congenital heart disease requires attentive therapeutic management since the only source of pulmonary blood flow in newborns is provided by the patent ductus arteriosus. The patency of the duct is the main objective in the first hours of life and it is guaranteed by prostaglandin E1 infusion, but it is not a long-term solution for this type of cardiac malformation. In order to augment pulmonary blood, there are two types of interventions that can be performed: a classical surgical shunt or stenting of the ductus arteriosus, a fairly new alternative to cardiac palliative surgery. Read More

Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2022 Jun 22. Epub 2022 Jun 22.

Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.

As the approach to the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in the preterm infant remains controversial, the potential consequences of a significant ductal shunt on the brain should be evaluated. In this population at high risk of adverse outcomes, including intraventricular haemorrhage and white matter injury, as well as longer-term neurodevelopmental impairment, it is challenging to attribute sequelae to the PDA. Moreover, individual patient characteristics including gestational age and timing of PDA intervention factor into risks of brain injury. Read More

Neonatology 2022 Jun 21:1-5. Epub 2022 Jun 21.

Department of Neonatology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel.

We report three preterm infants who were treated with paracetamol for hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus and developed acute hemolysis. No other apparent cause of acute hemolysis was found during Neonatal Intensive Care Unit hospitalization. All three infants were born within 1 year. Read More

J Card Surg 2022 Jun 21. Epub 2022 Jun 21.

Paediatric Cardiology Division, Department of Paediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stenting is an alternative to modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (MBTS) as first-stage palliation of duct-dependent lesions. The superiority of one approach over the other is still controversial. Our objective was to compare PDA  stent versusMBTS for palliation in regard to safety, efficacy, and efficiency. Read More

Ann Transl Med 2022 May;10(10):615

Second Department of Geriatrics Respiratory Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Geriatrics Institute, Guangzhou, China.

Background: () empyema complicated with bronchopleural fistula (BPF) remains a significant challenge in diagnosis and treatment and the clinical outcomes are often unsatisfactory, especially in elderly patients. There is a paucity data related to the management of the condition. This is the first well-documented report of the therapeutic experience with bronchoscopic closure of a bronchopleural fistula with empyema related to infection in the elderly patients. Read More

J Perinatol 2022 Jun 18. Epub 2022 Jun 18.

Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Objective: To describe differences in neurobehavior among very preterm infants with low medical risk at term equivalent age and full-term infants.

Study Design: One-hundred eighty-six (136 infants born ≤32 weeks gestation with low medical risk at term equivalent age and 50 full-term infants within 4 days of birth) had standardized neurobehavioral assessments. Low medical risk was defined by ventilation <10 days and absence of significant brain injury, necrotizing enterocolitis, patent ductus arteriosus, and retinopathy of prematurity. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2022 Jun 10;6(6):ytac218. Epub 2022 Jun 10.

University of Health Sciences, Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Surgery Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Istanbul 34668, Turkey.

Background: The coexistence of a right-sided aortic arch (RAA), an aberrant left subclavian artery (ALSA), and a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a rarely seen vascular ring anomaly. There is currently no general guideline consensus on the management and follow-up of this congenital defect, posing a challenge to the clinicians. At this point, the heart team plays a critical role in the management of the disease. Read More

Clin Chim Acta 2022 Jun 13;533:31-39. Epub 2022 Jun 13.

Department of Pediatrics, the 980th Hospital of the People's Liberation Army Joint Service Support Force (Bethune International Peace Hospital), Shijiazhuang 050082, Hebei, China.

Cobalamin C (cblC) disease and Mowat-Wilson syndrome (MWS) are rare hereditary diseases. To date, there have been no reports of people suffering from these two genetic diseases, or whether there is any correlation between the two diseases. We reported a 2-year-old girl with both cblC disease and MWS. Read More

Am J Occup Ther 2022 Jul;76(4)

Adrienne Olney, MS, is Patient Care Services Research and Project Coordinator, Patient Care Services Research, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO.

Importance: No evidence-based treatment protocol currently exists for infants with vocal cord paresis (VCP).

Objective: To assess the impact of feeding position on feeding success among infants with unilateral VCP and examine other variables that may be associated with feeding success.

Design: Retrospective descriptive study. Read More

Case Rep Pediatr 2022 6;2022:3251980. Epub 2022 Jun 6.

Paanchkhal Primary Health Center, Kavre, Nepal.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a group of rare, permanent genetic bone disorders resulting from the mutations in genes encoding type 1 collagen. It usually is inherited by an autosomal dominant pattern, but it can sometimes occur sporadically. Among the four main types, type III is the most severe type which presents with multiple bone fractures, skeletal deformities, blue sclera, hearing, and dental abnormalities. Read More

Cureus 2022 May 11;14(5):e24899. Epub 2022 May 11.

Cardiology, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, Telford, GBR.

Holt-Oram syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder which occurs because of mutations in the TBX5 genes. Most notable manifestations include musculoskeletal deformities, predominantly affecting the upper limbs, and congenital heart defects. Presentation could be multifaceted leading to delay in diagnosis. Read More

Clin Nucl Med 2022 Jun 10. Epub 2022 Jun 10.

From the Departments of General Medicine.

Abstract: A 33-year-old woman presented to our hospital with a 4-month history of fever of unknown origin. Physical examination revealed a vascular murmur in the left subclavian region. Blood culture revealed bacteria and PET/CT revealed tracer accumulation in the patent ductus arteriosus area, leading to the diagnosis of infective endocarditis in this area. Read More

Int J Pediatr 2022 2;2022:8701598. Epub 2022 Jun 2.

Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Bahrami Children Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

Background: Advantages of caffeine for the treatment of apnea of prematurity (AOP) have prompted clinicians to use it as a preventive drug even before the occurrence of apnea.

Objective: To compare the effect of early preventive caffeine therapy with routine late preventive caffeine on the occurrence rate of apnea of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and related radiographic changes, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), the need for mechanical ventilation, the length of mechanical ventilation, and the length of hospitalization.

Materials And Methods: In this open randomized clinical trial study, 90 preterm neonates with the gestational age of 25-35 weeks were divided into 2 groups: group A received caffeine during the first two days of life (early preventive caffeine), while group B received caffeine during the third to the tenth day of life (late preventive caffeine). Read More

GMS J Med Educ 2022 14;39(2):Doc21. Epub 2022 Apr 14.

Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Office of the dean of studies, Düsseldorf, Germany.

Background: Cardiac auscultation is a core clinical skill taught in medical school. Due to contact restrictions during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, interaction with patients was very limited. Therefore, a peer-to-peer virtual case-based auscultation course via video conference was established. Read More

Front Cardiovasc Med 2022 23;9:885140. Epub 2022 May 23.

Division of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease, Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Introduction: Since the first successful percutaneous closure under transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) guidance, many centers explored transcatheter procedures without fluoroscopy. This single-center study is aimed to show the feasibility and safety of percutaneous patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure under echocardiography-only guidance during our 1-year experience.

Methods: Patients with PDA were recruited for percutaneous PDA closure guided by either fluoroscopy or echocardiography-only in National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita (ClinicalTrials. Read More

Cureus 2022 May 4;14(5):e24733. Epub 2022 May 4.

Surgery, University of Illinois Hospital, Chicago, USA.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH) can induce life-threatening pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure. The patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is often maintained in CDH to allow for decompression into the systemic circulation. However, if the PDA becomes hemodynamically significant, PDA closure may be indicated. Read More

Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J 2022 May 26;22(2):247-252. Epub 2022 May 26.

Department of Family Medicine & Public Health, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine extubation failure (EF) rate among intubated preterm infants (<37 weeks gestational age [GA]) admitted to a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Oman and identify the risk factors associated with EF.

Methods: This retrospective study included all intubated preterm infants (<37 weeks GA) admitted to the NICU at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) from January 2013 to December 2017. EF was defined as reintubation within seven days of planned extubation. Read More

BMC Pediatr 2022 Jun 8;22(1):331. Epub 2022 Jun 8.

Qinghai Province Cardio Cerebrovascular Disease Specialist Hospital, No.7 of Zhuanchang Road, Xining City, 810012, Qinghai Province, China.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of congenital heart disease (CHD) among school children in Qinghai province, a high-altitude region in China.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among school-aged children in 2019. All subjects completed a survey with a structure questionnaire and underwent CHD screening. Read More

Front Cardiovasc Med 2022 20;9:750896. Epub 2022 May 20.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China.

Background: Closure of a percutaneous paravalvular leak (PVL) is a technically challenging procedure because of the specific anatomy postoperatively and the complex catheter techniques required. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and three-dimensional (3D) printing might be helpful in identifying complex anatomical structures and the procedural design.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to review our experiences with transcatheter closure of PVL guided by TEE and 3D (TEE&3D) printing. Read More

J Am Coll Cardiol 2022 Jun;79(22):2270-2283

Section of Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery, Division of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian-Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA. Electronic address:

For neonates with critical congenital heart disease requiring intervention, transcatheter approaches for many conditions have been established over the past decades. These interventions may serve to stabilize or palliate to surgical next steps or effectively primarily treat the condition. Many transcatheter interventions have evidence-based records of effectiveness and safety, which have led to widespread acceptance as first-line therapies. Read More

Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi 2022 May;24(5):514-520

Department of Pediatrics, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China.

Objectives: To study the effect of sex on the clinical outcome of extremely preterm infants (EPIs)/extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWIs) by propensity score matching.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for the medical data of 731 EPIs or ELBWIs who were admitted from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2020. These infants were divided into two groups: male and female. Read More

Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi 2022 May;24(5):500-506

Department of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine/National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, China.

Objectives: To study the effect of timing of surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) on the prognosis of very low birth weight infants (VLBWI).

Methods: The medical data of VLBWI who underwent transthoracic ligation for PDA from June 2018 to May 2021 were reviewed retrospectively. The infants were divided into early ligation group (≤21 days of age) and late ligation group (>21 days of age) based on the age of ligation. Read More

Children (Basel) 2022 Apr 24;9(5). Epub 2022 Apr 24.

Pediatric Surgery, Department for General Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) continues to cause high morbidity and mortality. Identifying early predictors for severe NEC is essential to improve therapy and optimize timing for surgical intervention. We present a retrospective study of patients with NEC, treated between 2010 and 2020, trying to identify factors influencing the severity of NEC. Read More