Saudi Initiative of Bronchiolitis Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention 2024 updated consensus on the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of bronchiolitis among children under 5 years of age worldwide, accounting for a prevalence of 25%-88% in Saudi Arabia. Although no effective treatment for the virus exists, passive immunoprophylaxis reduced RSV hospitalizations in high-risk children. With recent advances in immunization, the Saudi Initiative of Bronchiolitis Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention panel screened recent relevant international guidelines, locally published data, and expert consensus to update guidelines for RSV prevention, taking into consideration the resources, timing, varying health profiles, and RSV burden in Saudi Arabia. The panel updated its recommendations to include immunization of infants, mothers, and older adults. Practical guidelines were prepared to facilitate the administration of the short-acting and newly developed long-acting RSV monoclonal antibodies (mAb) during the regular follow-ups of high-risk infants in specialized clinics. In addition, long-acting mAb was highlighted as all-infant protection in the routine immunization calendar.

Use of High-Flow Nasal Cannulas in Saudi's Neonatal Level III Intensive Care Units: A Nationwide Questionnaire Study.

Objective. To describe heated humidified high-flow nasal cannulas (HHHFNC) utilization in level III neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Saudi Arabia. Methods. A prospective cross-sectional study using an electronic web-based questionnaire. The survey targeted level III NICUs hospitals using HHHFNCs, covering HHHFNC availability, protocols, patient characteristics, and indications. It also collected opinions on the benefits of HHHFNCs compared to nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP). Results. Out of 47 government-level III neonatal intensive care units, 35 (74%) responded to the survey. Among the included units, 46% had guidelines for HHHFNC use. Additionally, 51% reported using HHHFNC in infants of all gestational ages. The primary indication for HHHFNC use was weaning off nCPAP (34%), with 60% of the respondents noting its advantages for kangaroo care and breastfeeding. Conclusion. HHHFNC are increasingly prevalent in NICUs in Saudi Arabia. However, there remain no clear policies or guidelines regarding their use in preterm infants.

Prevalence of adverse birth outcomes and associated factors in Jazan, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to measure the prevalence of adverse birth outcomes and associated factors among mothers from the Jazan region in Saudi, Arabia. This was a cross-sectional investigation where data was collected via a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was completed during interviews to assess data regarding the participants' demographics, morbidity, the reported adverse birth outcomes, and maternal complications during pregnancy. Chi-squared and Fisher's Exact tests were both used to compare the distribution of demographic and obstetric risk factors according to the historical presence of adverse birth outcomes. A total of 1315 women with a combined history of 4950 pregnancies were involved in the current investigation. The mean age of the participants was 33.1 years. The total number of adverse birth outcomes was 1009. The most frequently reported adverse birth outcome was miscarriage (12.1%), followed by premature birth (2.3%) and underweight birth (1.9%). Reports of a minimum of 1 adverse birth outcome were higher among women who reported family incomes of more than 10,000 Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR), women who were first-degree cousins of their husbands, and women with less than a secondary level education (P values <.05). This study found a relatively high prevalence of miscarriage. Further investigations are needed to assess factors associated with this high frequency level of miscarriage. Furthermore, these findings have preventive and clinical implications concerning pregnant women with a history of obesity, anemia, consanguinity, and hypertension. The goal is to target them with a better range of antenatal care services to reduce the incidence of potential adverse birth outcomes.

Epidemiology and risk factors associated with early onset neonatal sepsis in the south of KSA.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to describe the epidemiology of early onset sepsis (EOS) and its associated risk factors in a tertiary healthcare centre in the south of KSA. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of neonates diagnosed with EOS at King Fahad Central Hospital (KFCH), Jazan, KSA. Data on the incidence, causative organisms, and related risk factors for EOS were collected. RESULTS: The incidence of EOS in our sample was 4.44 per 1,000 live births during the study period. The most frequently isolated organisms from neonates were E. coli (29%), Group B streptococcus (GBS) (17%), and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (11%). The gestational age and weight at birth of neonates who died within a week compared to those who survived were statistically different (p values < 0.05). Finally, the percentage of neonates found to be infected with E. coli was higher among neonates with either an extremely low birth weight or very low birth weight (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a higher incidence of EOS in KFCH in the Jazan region compared to similar clinical settings in KSA. Identifying pre-term birth weight and low birth weight as possible risk factors of early mortality of infants with EOS may necessitate the need for reassessment of antenatal care services in the region.

Pleomorphic Lipoma of the Neck in an Infant: A Rare Clinical Entity.

Lipomas are rare in the pediatric age group. A 10-month-old male child presented with an asymptomatic neck mass which was evaluated and excised completely. Histopathology was consistent with pleomorphic lipoma, not previously reported in children.

Do We Need an Intubation-Skilled Person at All High-Risk Deliveries?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the significance and predictive value of each of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)-listed ante- and intrapartum risk factors for the need of neonatal intubation at birth. STUDY DESIGN: In this population-based study, perinatal data of all infants born at ≥ 35 weeks gestation in the province of Nova Scotia between 1994 and 2014, were identified and reviewed from the Nova Scotia Atlee Database. The frequency of occurrence of risk factors, incidence of neonatal intubation at birth, and its relationship with the different NRP-listed risk factors, were examined. Variables that were significant (P < .05) in univariate analyses were entered into the regression model. RESULTS: During the 20-year study period, 176,365 infants ≥ 35 weeks gestation were born. In presence of any of the listed risk factors, 0.3% of infants received intubation at birth compared with 0.08% in absence of any risk factor (P < .001). On logistic regression analysis, only 16 of the NRP-listed risk factors had a significant relationship with intubation at birth (P < .001). Delivery in a tertiary care center did not have an impact. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of an intubation-skilled person at birth may not be indicated in all the NRP-listed ante- and intrapartum risk factors. Stratification of the relative significance of different risk factors may be of importance for the less-resourced health care units providing maternal and newborn care.