ABSTRACT
Introduction: The protective factors against urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the setting of vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) remain poorly defined. Breastfeeding was suggested as a protective factor against UTI, but its role remains undetermined in this highly susceptible population. Objectives: The objective of the study was to identify the pattern and risk factors of UTI and investigate the effect of breastfeeding on UTI occurrence in VUR children. Materials and Methods: This was a mixed-method design, whereby the first part was a cross-sectional study that included children who were diagnosed with VUR and were assessed for their UTI pattern. The second part was a case-control study, which involved contacting the mothers of the children enrolled and questioning them about their breastfeeding pattern, and UTI development was assessed. Results: Our study included 62 children with a median age of 4.4 (interquartile range = 21) months at diagnosis. Of those, 37 (60%) were male and 25 (40%) were female. Most UTIs occurred in the first 3 months of life, and the first episodes were more frequent in males. Constipation was significantly associated with the occurrence of UTI (relative risk [RR] =1.750 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.231-2.489], P = 0.003). Children with breakthrough UTIs were more likely to have been breastfed for <9 months (odds ratio [OR] = 4.091 [95% CI: 1.287-13.002], P = 0.015) and to have been exclusively breastfed for <2 months (OR = 4.600 [95% CI: 1.337-15.823], P = 0.012). Conclusion: Children with VUR are more susceptible to UTIs in their 1st year of life. Constipation is a major risk factor for UTI occurrence in VUR children and should be aggressively managed. Breastfeeding for longer durations showed promising protective features against breakthrough UTIs.
ABSTRACT
Background: The internet serves as a vital health information resource, yet the quality of data on specific health conditions, especially in Arabic, is often overlooked. This research assesses the quality of Arabic online information about cleft lip and palate (CLP) and proposes avenues for enhancement. Methods: From July to August 2022, a systematic evaluation of Arabic articles on CLP was performed using the DISCERN tool for quality assessment. Searches on Google and Bing resulted in 119 articles that met the study's criteria. Results: The quality of available Arabic information on CLP displayed substantial gaps. Commercial sources dominated (49.6%), followed by private (32.8%) and nonprofit entities (17.6%). The average DISCERN score was 2.26 of 5 (SD = 1.06), indicating the need for enhanced content, particularly concerning treatment risks. Conclusions: The study underscores the subpar quality of Arabic CLP information online, which might mislead patients and impede access to accurate advice. Nonprofit organizations should bolster their online footprint, offering refined health content. A deep dive into DISCERN scores reveals pinpointed improvement areas. Clinicians should direct patients and their families to reliable information sources. Addressing these gaps promises improved CLP knowledge in Arabic, fostering superior patient education and outcomes for those with this condition.
ABSTRACT
Saprochaete capitata is an uncommon yeast species; its impact on non-neutropenic patients appears to be on the rise. We describe a case of S. capitata fungemia in a critically ill end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patient on peritoneal dialysis. The patient presented with mesenteric ischemia and underwent several laparotomies during hospitalization. His hospital stay was complicated as fungemia developed and spread to multiple sites, which resulted in severe complications and ultimately led to fatal outcomes. S. capitata's diagnostic delay is a concern, but matrix-assisted laser desorption/Ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry may help provide accurate identification. Our case highlights the need for prompt diagnosis and tailored antifungal therapy, especially when managing this challenging infection in immunocompromised patients.
