Point-of-care ultrasound needs assessment in a paediatric acute care setting in Malawi.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in an acute-care paediatric setting in Malawi, including clinical indications, types of examinations and frequency of positive findings. METHODS: Retrospective, cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of POCUS examinations performed in one tertiary referral hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi over 1 year. POCUS examinations were performed by Paediatric Emergency Medicine physician consultants as part of routine clinical practice and at the request of local clinicians. Images were saved along with the clinical indication and physician interpretation for quality review. Ultrasounds performed by the radiology department and those examinations that were technically faulty, missing clinical application or interpretation were excluded. RESULTS: In total, 225 ultrasounds of 142 patients were analysed. The most common clinical indications for which examinations were completed were respiratory distress (23%), oedema (11.7%) and shock/arrest (6.2%). The most common examinations performed were cardiac (41.8%) and lung (15.1%), focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST; 12.9%) and ultrasound-guided procedural examinations (9.8%). Pathology was identified in 68% of non-procedural examinations. Cardiac examinations demonstrated significant pathology, including reduced cardiac function (12.8%), gross cardiac structural abnormality (11.8%) and pericardial effusion (10.3%). CONCLUSIONS: POCUS was used for both clinical decision-making and procedural guidance, and a significant number of POCUS examinations yielded positive findings. Thus, we propose that cardiopulmonary, FAST and procedural examinations should be considered in future for the POCUS curriculum in this setting.

Diagnosing Acute Heart Failure in the Pediatric Emergency Department Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: Acute heart failure (AHF) in children is associated with significant disease burden with high rates of morbidity, mortality, and resource utilization. These children often present to the emergency department with clinical features that mimic common childhood illnesses. Cardiac point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can be an effective tool for rapidly identifying abnormal cardiac function. CASE REPORTS: This case series documents 10 children presenting with AHF between 2016 and 2019 and demonstrates how pediatric emergency physicians used cardiac POCUS to expedite their diagnosis, management, and disposition. All cardiac POCUS was performed before comprehensive echocardiograms were completed. One case is described in detail; the other cases are summarized in a Table. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Early recognition of AHF is critical to reduce pediatric morbidity and mortality. With proper training, cardiac POCUS can be an effective adjunct and should be considered for the early diagnosis and treatment of infants and children with AHF.

Patrón de consumo alimentario y su relación con el estado de nutrición en lactantes de la región del Istmo de Tehuantepec / Pattern of food consumption and its relation to the nutritional status of infants in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region

FUNDAMENTOS: En la etapa lactante los patrones de consumo alimentario (PCA) adecuados pueden mantener el correcto estado nutricional. La presente investigación buscó asociar el PCA durante la alimentación complementaria con el estado nutricional en lactantes. MÉTODOS:Se realizó un estudio transversal analítico (mayo-julio de 2017) con población lactante (n=35, femeninos 60% y masculinos 40%) de 4 a 12 meses de edad del municipio de Santo Domingo, Oaxaca. Se evaluó el estado nutricional con indicadores (Peso/Edad, Peso/Longitud y Longitud/Edad), así como se realizó valoración dietética aplicada a las madres o cuidadoras. RESULTADOS: El 68,57% de los lactantes presentaron un estado de nutrición normal. Se encontró una asociación significativa entre el adecuado estado de nutrición y el consumo de verduras, cereales sin grasa, alimentos de origen animal, leche, aceites sin proteína y con proteína. La asociación del estado de nutrición con el PCA no fue significativa (p=0,501). CONCLUSIONES: Se encontró una asociación significativa entre el adecuado estado de nutrición y el consumo de ciertos alimentos. El balance energético positivo de los lactantes es un factor que conduce a un sesgo de información, ya que el PCA inadecuado en esta etapa y la ingesta elevada de calorías incrementa el peso corporal

BACKGROUND: In the lactating stage, adequate dietary consumption patterns (PCA) can maintain the correct nutritional status. The present investigation seeks to associate the PCA during complementary feeding with the nutritional status in infants. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was included (May-July 2017) with a lactating population (n=35, 60% female and 40% male) from 4 to 12 months of age born from the Santo Domingo, Oaxaca. The nutritional status was evaluated with indicators (Weight/Age, Weight/Length and Length/Age), as well as dietary assessment applied to mothers or caregivers. RESULTS: 68.57% of infants had a normal nutritional status. A significant association was found between the proper state of nutrition and the consumptionof vegetables, non-fat cereals, foods of animal origin, milk, oils without protein and with protein. The association of the nutritional status with the PCA was not significant (p = 0.501). CONCLUSIONS: A significant association was found between the proper state of nutrition and the consumption of certain foods. The positive energy balance of infants is a factor that leads to information bias, since inadequate PCA at this stage and high calorie intake increases body weight