A review of Pneumonia in the Philippines

@#This review article gives an overview of pneumonia in the Philippines, with focus on childhood pneumonia. Its primary objective is to provide information on epidemiology, etiology, economic burden, risk factors and prevention of pneumonia. A review of literature was done to gather information about the disease, with emphasis on local data. In the Philippines, pneumonia is the third leading cause of death across all ages and is the most common cause of death among children<5 years of age. A prospective study on Invasive Pneumococcal Disease conducted in the Philippines looked at the incidence of chest x-ray–confirmed pneumonia (N=5,940) in three hospitals over a 2-year period. The highest incidence was seen in those 28 days to <6 months of age at two sites and those 6–12 months of age in another site. Risk factors include not exclusively breastfeeding infants <6 months, undernutrition, zinc deficiency, crowding and exposure to indoor air pollution, low birth weight, poverty and socio-economic factors, presence of underlying comorbidities and immunodeficiency states. CAP ranks number one in processed Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth) claims, showing the huge economic burden. Therefore, rationalizing its management with simple standardized guidelines, exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary feeding, improving indoor air pollution, and promoting vaccination are effective interventions.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome In Children (MIS-C): A case series in a tertiary hospital

@#The clinical course of COVID-19 in the pediatric population has been reported to be mild in the majority of affected patients. However, a condition referred to as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) can occur with SARS-CoV-2 infection where patients can become critically ill. In this series, we describe five pediatric patients with the spectrum of MIS-C associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Fulminant Hepatic Failure in a SARS-CoV-2 positive pediatric patient: A case report

@#Respiratory symptoms are the most common manifestation of COVID-19 across all age groups and it is most often associated with radiographical findings consistent with pneumonia.2 A recent systematic review estimated that 16% of children with SARS-CoV-2 infection are asymptomatic,3 or others may present with seizures, gastrointestinal bleeding or jaundice. This reports a 2-year old boy with no known co-morbidity who had a 2-week history of abdominal pain and jaundice then had a rapidly progressive course of neurological deterioration and eventual demise. He had markedly elevated liver enzymes and deranged bleeding parameters with elevated ammonia and ferritin levels. Hepatitis B and hepatitis A titers were non-reactive. He was managed as a case of hepatic encephalopathy secondary to cholestatic jaundice. His chest x-ray was normal but his SARS-CoV-2 RT PCR result was positive with a low cycle threshold. Locally, this is the first reported case of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive pediatric patient presenting as fulminant hepatic failure with no associated respiratory manifestations. Clinicians should be mindful that such presentation, however uncommon, is possible and a high index of suspicion should be maintained.

Chronic Granulomatous Disease: An unreported mutation

@#Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD) is caused by defects in the phagocyte NADPH oxidase and occurs in approximately 1:200,000 births worldwide. It presents with early onset of severe recurrent bacterial and fungal infections. This is a case of a 9-year old male with severe, recurrent bacterial infections since 3 weeks of age. Initial Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction tests were normal but a DNA analysis revealed a previously unreported homozygous mutation in CYBB, p.S418Y. Dihydrorhodamine (DHR) test showed poor neutrophil oxidation consistent with X-linked CGD. Definitive microbiologic diagnosis is essential for directing therapy for recurrent bacterial and fungal infections. Treatment of infections should be aggressive. Lifelong bacterial and fungal prophylaxis is necessary for prolonged survival. We report a case of confirmed CGD with the previously unreported mutation.

Impact of hospital-acquired infection on the cost and duration of hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVES: </strong>To determine the impact of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) on the cose and duration of hospitalization among neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients from a hospital-based perspective.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODS: </strong>A case control retrospective study was performed at the 15-bed/crib NICU at PCMC from March 2008 to February 2009. Forty-four neonates who developed HAI while at the NICU were designated as "cases" matched to control subjects (1:1). Control subjects were matched to cases based on gestational age, final diagnosis and date of NICU admission. Eligible cases of HAI were identified retrospectively through the nosocomial infection logbook kept by the Infection Control Nurse. Data collection was done via review of the patient's medical record: gestational age, gender, diagnosis, underlying disease, appropriateness for age, surgical procedure, duration, urgency, classification of surgical intervention, therapeutic procedures prior to first HAI, antibiotic administration prior to diagnosis of first HAI, type of HAI. The length of hospital stay (duration of hospitalization), outcome of the patients and blood isolates of cases of HAI were likewise gathered from the hospital records of each patient. Cost data was obtained from the hospital database.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RESULTS: </strong>There was a higher mean cost of hospitalization for NICU patients with HAI Php 275,459 vs 104,407 (USD 5,738 vs USD 2,175). They also had a longer length of stay with a mean of 55.5 days vs 29.3 days. In the analysis using multiple linear regression, the following factors: HAI grouping, length of stay and outcome (mortality) contributed significantly to increased cost.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>HAIs were associated with increased cost and duration of hospitalization. These contribute significantly to economic burden to the patient and to hospital resources.</p>

Risk factors for community acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections among 0-18 yrs old: A retrospective case- control study

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infection is an emerging health problem in pediatrics. Risk factors are not well established in children.<br />OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors for the development of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections arising in the community.<br /><strong>METHODOLOGY:</strong> A restrospective case-control study was performed from January 2004 to December 2011. Cases included patients who were culture positive for Staphylococcus aureus and resistant to methicillin/oxacillin while Control included patients who were sensitive to methicillin/oxacillin. The study identified and analyzed the epidemiology, risk factors and resistance pattern of CA-MRSA isolates.<br /><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Three hundred twety three (323) patients with Staphylococcus aureus infections were enrolled: 172 were CA-MRSA infections (cases); and 151 were community acquired methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MSSA) infections (control). Demographic characteristics and clinical profile were skin (cellulitis, furunculosis and abscess) and pulmonary (pneumonica and empyema). The survival rate was high for both groups (>90%). The final multivariate logistic regresion model showed that level of crowding and socio-economic status remained model showed that level of crowding and socio-economic status remained as risk factors for CA-MRSA. The odds of having CA-MRSA in crowded households is 0.35 (90%CI 0.20-0.62) less likely when compared to the odds of acquiring MRSA in less crowded households (p=0.003). Those who had low socio-eonomic had 2.49 times higher chance (90%CI; 1.39 -4.47) of aquiring CA-MRSA compared to those with higher socio-economic status (p=0.01).<br /><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> CA-MRSA is an emerging problem. This warrants recognition of patients with significant risk factors such as low socio-economic status and level of crowding. This may serve guide in choosing the appropriate antimicrobial theraply.</p>