Predictors of Parental Recall of Newborn Hearing Screening Program in Saudi Arabia.

Hearing impairment is a prevalent disabling condition among children; all newborns should undergo a universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS). Unfortunately, many newborns who fail the screening test are lost to follow-up. Our study aims to evaluate parents' perceptions of UNHS and to identify predictors for newborn hearing screening recall in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study involving Saudi parents with 0-to-18-year-old children born in Saudi Arabia was conducted. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used to describe the participants' characteristics and to identify UNHS recall predictors. A total of 1533 parents were surveyed. Overall, 29.9% of them recalled a hearing screening at birth, while 22.2% reported no hearing screening, and 47.8% were unable to remember. Only (6.9%) participants reported a failed hearing screening, of which 75.9% recalled a follow-up recommendation. Females, parents aged 30-34 years, consanguineous parents, and parents of newborns who were treated with antibiotics were more likely to recall hearing screening compared to others. This study highlights inadequate awareness of UNHS among parents. Our findings support the need to improve the reporting system of UNHS results and implement educational programs to increase parents' recall of hearing test results and ensure early follow-ups for neonates with failed test results.

Idiopathic Orbital Inflammation Treated With Rituximab Monotherapy.

Idiopathic orbital inflammation is a benign condition that affects the orbit and the extra-orbital structures. It presents as ocular pain, peri-orbital swelling, proptosis, and restricted ocular movements. This condition is diagnosed based on clinical features that are then confirmed by radiological and histopathological findings. Corticosteroids are the initial therapy of choice. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are added in steroid non-responsive patients. Rituximab is now becoming increasingly used as a third-line therapy for this disease. We report a case of idiopathic orbital inflammation treated with rituximab monotherapy without the use of corticosteroids or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

A child with bronchiectasis, chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, and hypothyroidism secondary to STAT1 gain-of-function mutation: A case report and review of the literature.

STAT 1 GOF mutations are a rare cause of childhood primary immunodeficiency. Recurrent mucocutaneous candidiasis, chest infections, and autoimmune disease are all classic phenotype presentations. Rapid identification and diagnosis of this debilitating disease using whole exon sequencing may improve outcomes and minimize long-term sequelae.

Successful Use of Dupilumab as a Salvage Therapy for Recalcitrant Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis: A Case Report.

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) is a subtype of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) which is distinguished by the presence of eosinophilic mucin, type 1 hypersensitivity reaction resulting from fungi residing within the sinus, and characteristic imaging findings of the paranasal sinuses. Surgical intervention, sinonasal irrigations, and topical and systemic medications are commonly used to reduce the fungal load and antigenic stimulation. Despite the advancement of medical and surgical management of AFRS, a high recurrence rate is still a significant concern. The proper treatment for refractory AFRS remains controversial. Herein, we discuss the use of dupilumab for controlling refractory AFRS. We report a case of a 33-year-old female patient known to have had AFRS for 16 years. Due to the recurring nature of her illness, 16 functional endoscopic sinus surgeries (FESS) have been done to control her symptoms. The last operation was done in our institution; evidence for cure was insufficient with the persistence of symptoms. After a consensus decision with the multidisciplinary management team, she was an appropriate candidate for therapy with dupilumab. After six months of using the medication, magnificent improvement and control of symptoms were noted, and post-treatment CT scans illustrated excellent progression from previous scans. AFRS could be an extremely debilitating disease with significant impairment of quality of life even when standard therapy and extensive surgical interventions are implemented. Dupilumab can be an excellent option as a salvage therapy for recalcitrant AFRS with significant improvement in patients' quality of life and resolution of symptoms.