ABSTRACT
Background Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are prone to bacterial infections, culminating in life-threatening incidences. Early evaluation of children with SCD helps in effective management and support. Methodology A retrospective study was conducted using medical records for febrile episodes in SCD children ≤14 years of age who presented to the Emergency Department of King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 2015 to 2018. A total of 304 episodes were encountered in the Emergency Department during this period. Results The clinical diagnosis included confirmed bacterial infection (4.5%), presumed bacterial infection (24.6%), and those without bacterial infection (57.5%). The incidence of bacteremia was found in 3.0% of the episodes and urinary tract infection in 1.5%. The most common isolates were Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus viridians, Salmonella species, and Escherichia coli. Overall, 52% of the febrile episodes resulted in hospitalization, of which 74% had at least one prior hospitalization. The hospitalization probability across the two sexes was statistically insignificant (p = 0.029). The likelihood of admission increased with age (p < 0.001) and temperature (p < 0.001). The study included 140 children with SCD who had at least one abdominal sonogram performed at our hospital between 2015 and 2018. There were changes in the radiographic appearance of the spleen in patients with SCD who were expected to undergo autosplenectomy between the ages of five and 17 years. Conclusions The study envisages the risk associated with febrile episodes and the prompt recovery of such patients through clinical confirmations. Parents should be aware and observant of the complications of infectious illnesses for speedy medical assistance.
ABSTRACT
Eruptive lingual papillitis is a common benign disorder manifested by inflammation of fungiform papillae on the dorsolateral surface of the tongue. Several variants of lingual papillitis have been reported since 1997, most or all of them with painful erythematous papules. Here we report a case of 6 years old girl child with non-painful severe variant form of eruptive lingual papillitis presented to the emergency department. The entire dorsal surface of the tongue was surfaced by 2-3mm by multiple erythematous papules and some with a white or yellowish colour. The papules were excessively inflamed, pigmented, aggregated, and crusted. The cause was idiopathic which resolved within ten days. The parent and patient were reassured with advice to practice oral hygiene. This is a rare case report describing non-painful lingual papillitis without a history of any prior episodes.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the pediatric emergency department (PED) in a main teaching hospital. METHODS: Retrospective review of all children presented to PED at King Abdulaziz University Hospital from September to November 2014 was performed. We classified priority into the following 5 stages: 1, need resuscitation; 2, emergent; 3, urgent; 4, less urgent; and 5, nonurgent. RESULTS: A total of 2567 children (58.9% boys) attended PED for 3 months. Toddler age group was the highest. Respiratory complaints were the commonest (36%), followed by gastrointestinal complaints (20%). The majority were classified as priority 3 (52.3%) and priority 4 (30.7%). The admission rate was 12.3% and the mean (range) length of stay (LOS) was 5.85 (0.2-25) hours. Saudi nationals were less likely to wait for 5 hours or longer, less likely to be admitted, but more likely to leave PED without being evaluated. There was a negative correlation between higher priorities and time from triage to PED. There was a positive correlation between the higher priorities and LOS. CONCLUSIONS: Most children who were seen in PED were priority 3 and therefore needed to be seen. However, a considerable percentage of priority 4 and 5 could have been seen in ambulatory clinics. Most lower priorities were Saudi nationals who were most likely to leave without being seen. Prolonged LOS, overcrowding, and high percentage of admission are the main challenges.
