A predictive model for patent ductus arteriosus seven days postpartum in preterm infants: an ultrasound-based assessment of ductus arteriosus intimal thickness within 24†h after birth.

Objectives: To develop a predictive model for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants at seven days postpartum. The model employs ultrasound measurements of the ductus arteriosus (DA) intimal thickness (IT) obtained within 24 h after birth. Methods: One hundred and five preterm infants with gestational ages ranging from 27.0 to 36.7 weeks admitted within 24 h following birth were prospectively enrolled. Echocardiographic assessments were performed to measure DA IT within 24 h after birth, and DA status was evaluated through echocardiography on the seventh day postpartum. Potential predictors were considered, including traditional clinical risk factors, M-mode ultrasound parameters, lumen diameter of the DA (LD), and DA flow metrics. A final prediction model was formulated through bidirectional stepwise regression analysis and subsequently subjected to internal validation. The model's discriminative ability, calibration, and clinical applicability were also assessed. Results: The final predictive model included birth weight, application of mechanical ventilation, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), LD, and the logarithm of IT (logIT). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the model, predicated on logIT, exhibited excellent discriminative power with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.985 (95% CI: 0.966-1.000), sensitivity of 1.000, and specificity of 0.909. Moreover, the model demonstrated robust calibration and goodness-of-fit (χ2 value = 0.560, p > 0.05), as well as strong reproducibility (accuracy: 0.935, Kappa: 0.773), as evidenced by 10-fold cross-validation. A decision curve analysis confirmed the model's broad clinical utility. Conclusions: Our study successfully establishes a predictive model for PDA in preterm infants at seven days postpartum, leveraging the measurement of DA IT. This model enables identifying, within the first 24 h of life, infants who are likely to benefit from timely DA closure, thereby informing treatment decisions.

Comparison of six Z-score formulas based on echocardiography for coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease.

GOAL: Kawasaki disease (KD) patients are at risk of developing the serious complication of coronary artery dilation (CAD). To diagnose CAD caused by KD, various Z-Score formulas are used worldwide. This paper aims to evaluate the differences and inclusiveness among the six most commonly used Z-Score formulas in diagnosing CAD in Suzhou, China. Additionally, the study seeks to compare the differences in CAD diagnosis among different high-risk factor groups. By doing so, this research provides a valuable reference for accurately diagnosing CAD in KD patients. METHOD: This paper presents a retrospective analysis of 1509 patients diagnosed with KD at the Children's Hospital of Soochow University between January 2018 and December 2020. We collected the patients' clinical and echocardiographic data and used six Z-Score formulas (Kobayashi et al., de Zorzi et al., Kurotobi et al., McCrindle et al., Olivieri et al., and Dallaire et al.) to diagnose the degree of CAD in different segments. We then compared the diagnostic differences and inclusiveness of these formulas, especially the diagnostic differences in medium to giant CAA. To achieve this, we divided the patients into groups based on their age (≤12 months, 13-30 months, and > 30 months) and fever duration (≤5 days, 6-7 days, 8-9 days, and ≥ 10 days). Using the McNemar test and the Kappa test, we compared the differences and the consistencies of CDA diagnosis among the six Z-Score formulas. Moreover, we used the Friedman test and Chi-square segmentation formula to compare the differences in age and number of fever duration between groups and to compare each Z-Score formula pair within the group. RESULTS: Except for the LMCA segment, where there were no statistically significant differences between de Zorzi formula and McCrindle formula, the Z-score formulas showed statistically significant differences in the degree of CAD diagnosis across all other segments. Inclusiveness assessment revealed that Kobayashi formula and Dallaire formula showed significantly higher rates of dilatation (6.58% and 5.32%), or of small aneurysms (6.52% and 4.52%) compared to other formulas (1.0%-1.73%). Medium aneurysms were also more likely to be identified with Kobayashi and Dallaire formulas (0.8% and 0.8%) compared to the remaining formulas (0.13-0.40%). There are significant differences in the diagnoses of medium to giant CAA made by these six formulas in LAD and RCA. The longer the duration of fever and the younger the age, the higher the diagnosis rates of CAD and CAA. There were no statistically significant differences between de Zorzi formula and McCrindle formula, de Zorzi formula and Oliveri formula, and Kurotobi formula and Dallaire formula within the four groups based on the duration of fever. Similarly, there were no statistically significant differences between Kobayashi formula and Dallaire formula, and between de Zorzi formula and Oliveri formula in the age groups of ≤12 months and 13-30 months. CONCLUSION: There are diagnostic differences among these six Z-score formulas, considering the aforementioned statistics. Kobayashi formula and Dallaire formula are more inclusive, and less likely to under-diagnose significant CAD. They perform evenly for dilatation only, for small aneurysms and the median size aneurysms, and that is for segments of LMCA, LAD and RCA. In addition, McCrindle formula joins the "inclusive" pack for LAD and RCA in the matter of CAD. The younger the age of the patients and the longer the duration of fever, the higher the diagnosis rates of CAD and CAA. Furthermore, the younger the age of the patients and the shorter the duration of fever, the greater the differences between the various formulas.

Role of automated functional imaging and myocardial work in assessment of cardiac function in children with obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Early identification of abnormal left ventricular function in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is difficult using conventional echocardiographic indices and commonly used clinical markers of myocardial damage. We sought to investigate the value of automatic function imaging and myocardial work parameters in predicting early cardiac impairment in children having OSA with preserved left heart function and thereby identifying an optimal index for assessment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-two children who presented with symptoms of nocturnal sleep snoring and open-mouth breathing and 34 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Clinical characteristics and conventional echocardiographic data were collected, and image analysis was performed using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography to obtain left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), post-systolic index, peak strain dispersion, global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work, and global work efficiency. RESULTS: Children with OSA had significantly lower GLS, GWI, and GCW than those without (P < 0.05). Additionally, GWI (ß = -32.87, 95% CI: -53.47 to -12.27), and GCW (ß = -35.09, 95% CI: -55.35 to -14.84) were found to correlate with the disease severity in the multiple linear regression mode, with worsening values observed as the severity of the disease increased. ROC curve analysis revealed that GCW was the best predictor of myocardial dysfunction, with an AUC of 0.809 (P < 0.001), and the best cutoff point for diagnosing myocardial damage in children with OSA was 1965.5 mmHg%, with a sensitivity of 92.5% and a specificity of 58.7%. CONCLUSIONS: GLS, GWI, and GCW were identified as predictors of myocardial dysfunction in children with OSA, with GCW being the best predictor.

Myocardial Work for Dynamic Monitoring of Myocardial Injury in Neonatal Asphyxia.

To assess the value of parameters of myocardial work for dynamic monitoring of myocardial injury after neonatal asphyxia. Fifty-three neonates with asphyxia admitted within 24 h after delivery were divided into a mild asphyxia group (n = 40) and severe asphyxia group (n = 13). Echocardiography was performed within 24 h post-birth, within 72 h post-birth (48 h after first echo), and during recovery. The left ventricular ejection fraction on M-mode echocardiography and by Simpson's biplane method (LVEF and Bi-EF, respectively), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), global longitudinal strain (GLS), global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), and other parameters were measured. Echocardiographic indicators were compared between groups and over time. GWI was significantly increased at 72 h in the mild asphyxia group (P < 0.05) but showed no significant change over time in the severe asphyxia group (P > 0.05). While GCW increased significantly over time in both groups (P < 0.05), it increased earlier in the mild asphyxia group. Time and grouping factors had independent effects on GWI and GCW (P > 0.05). The characteristics of differences in GWI and GCW between the two groups were different from those for LVEF, Bi-EF, SV, CO, CI, and GLS and their change characteristics with improvement from treatment. GWI and GCW changed significantly during recovery from neonatal asphyxia, and their change characteristics differed between mild and severe asphyxia cases. Myocardial work parameters can be used as valuable supplements to traditional indicators of left ventricular function to dynamically monitor the recovery from myocardial injury after neonatal asphyxia.

Prediction nomogram for coronary artery aneurysms at one month in Kawasaki disease.

BACKGROUND: Coronary status at one month after Kawasaki disease (KD) onset had a great significance. The present study aimed to establish a prediction model for coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) at one month in children with KD. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of KD between May 2017 and Dec 2018 were enrolled as the development cohort to build a prediction model. The model was validated by internal and external validation. Patients between Jan 2019 and Dec 2019 were enrolled as the validation cohort. The adaptive least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used to select the possible predictors. Receiving operating characteristic curve (ROC), calibration plots, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the performance of the model. The performance of the Son score was also assessed. RESULTS: LASSO regression demonstrated that age, sex, and CALs in the acute stage were predictors for CAA at one month. The area under the ROC (AUC) was 0.946 (95% confidence interval: 0.911-0.980) with a sensitivity of 92.5% and a specificity of 90.5%. The calibration curve and the DCA showed a favorable diagnostic performance. The internal and external validation proved the reliability of the prediction model. The AUC of our model and the Son score were 0.941 and 0.860, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our prediction model for CAA at one month after disease onset in KD had an excellent predictive utility.

Risk factors of incontinence-associated dermatitis among critically ill patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) is increasingly found among critically ill patients, but the risk factors for IAD in these patients are currently unclear. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to identify the risk factors of IAD in critically ill patients. Methods: Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were systemically searched until July 2022. The studies were selected based on inclusion criteria, and data were independently extracted by two researchers. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Odds ratios (ORs) and their associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to identify significant differences in the risk factors. The I 2 test was used to estimate the heterogeneity of studies, and Egger's test was used to assess the potential publication bias. Results: A total of 7 studies enrolling 1,238 recipients were included in the meta-analysis. Age ≥ 60 (OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.38~3.42), female sex (OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.32~2.34), dialysis (OR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.51~4.73), fever (OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.03~2.33), vasoactive agent (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.45~3.80), PAT score ≥ 7 (OR = 5.23, 95% CI: 3.15~8.99), frequency of bowel movement > 3times/d (OR = 5.33, 95% CI: 3.19~8.93), and liquid stool (OR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.56~4.38) were the risk factors of IAD among critically ill patients. Conclusions: Many risk factors are related to IAD among critically ill patients. Nursing staff should pay more attention to evaluating the risk of IAD and enhance the care of high-risk groups.

Risk-prediction models for intravenous immunoglobulin resistance in Kawasaki disease: Risk-of-Bias Assessment using PROBAST.

BACKGROUND: The prediction model of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance in Kawasaki disease can calculate the probability of IVIG resistance and provide a basis for clinical decision-making. We aim to assess the quality of these models developed in the children with Kawasaki disease. METHODS: Studies of prediction models for IVIG-resistant Kawasaki disease were identified through searches in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases. Two investigators independently performed literature screening, data extraction, quality evaluation, and discrepancies were settled by a statistician. The checklist for critical appraisal and data extraction for systematic reviews of prediction modeling studies (CHARMS) was used for data extraction, and the prediction models were evaluated using the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST). RESULTS: Seventeen studies meeting the selection criteria were included in the qualitative analysis. The top three predictors were neutrophil measurements (peripheral neutrophil count and neutrophil %), serum albumin level, and C-reactive protein (CRP) level. The reported area under the curve (AUC) values for the developed models ranged from 0.672 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.631-0.712) to 0.891 (95% CI: 0.837-0.945); The studies showed a high risk of bias (ROB) for modeling techniques, yielding a high overall ROB. CONCLUSION: IVIG resistance models for Kawasaki disease showed high ROB. An emphasis on improving their quality can provide high-quality evidence for clinical practice. IMPACT STATEMENT: This study systematically evaluated the risk of bias (ROB) of existing prediction models for intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance in Kawasaki disease to provide guidance for future model development meeting clinical expectations. This is the first study to systematically evaluate the ROB of IVIG resistance in Kawasaki disease by using PROBAST. ROB may reduce model performance in different populations. Future prediction models should account for this problem, and PROBAST can help improve the methodological quality and applicability of prediction model development.

Predicting immunoglobulin resistance in Kawasaki disease: an assessment of neutrophil to lymphocyte platelet ratio.

BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile illness of unknown etiology and predictors for intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance have been widely explored in recent decades. Neutrophil to lymphocyte platelet ratio (NLPR) was reported to be associated with the outcomes in many diseases. However, its relationship with IVIG resistance has not be explored. METHODS: The medical data of patients diagnosed with KD in Children's Hospital of Soochow University between January 2019 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Patients were trisected into three groups based on NLPR. Logistics regression was used to analyze the association between NLPR and IVIG resistance. Restricted cubic spine was used to exhibit the relationship. Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were also carried out. RESULTS: A total of 803 patients were included in the present study (61.8% males; median age: 24 months). IVIG resistance occurred in 74 (9.2%) patients. Multivariable-adjusted analyses revealed higher NLPR (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.12 [1.00-1.24]) was an independent predictor of IVIG resistance, which was strengthened by sensitivity analyses. The association of NLPR and IVIG resistance was not modified by age, sex, CALs, or days of IVIG initiation ≤ 4. CONCLUSION: NLPR may be a valuable prognostic marker in KD patients with IVIG resistance.

Breastfeeding has no protective effects on the development of coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a self-limiting vasculitis with an unknown etiology. It has been reported that breastfeeding has a potential protective effect on KD development. However, whether breastfeeding has an effect on the development of coronary artery lesions (CALs) remains unclear. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with the main diagnosis of KD hospitalized in our hospital from May 2017 to November 2018. Standardized telephone interviews were carried out to obtain feeding practices before KD was onset. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-three (51.6%) were exclusively breastfed, 223 (39.3%) were partially breastfed and 52 (9.2%) were formula fed. There were no significant differences in the characteristics regarding age, gender, incomplete KD, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance, and the laboratory variables among the three groups. With formula feeding as a reference, patients exclusively breastfed and partially breastfed seemed to have a higher incidence of CALs, even after adjusting confounders, but were not statistically significant. After grouping patients who were older than six months into formula feeding, partial breastfeeding for < 2 months, partial breastfeeding for ≥ 2 and < 4 months, partial breastfeeding for ≥ 4 and < 6 months and exclusively breastfeeding based on the length of breastfeeding, the results remained the same (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding has no protective effect on the development of CALs in KD.

Assessment of myocardial injury in neonates born to pregnant women with pregnancy complicated by severe preeclampsia by myocardial work indices: a prospective study. / å¿ƒè‚ŒåšåŠŸå‚æ•°è¯„ä¼°é‡åº¦å­ç—«å‰æœŸå­•å¦‡å­ä»£æ–°ç”Ÿå„¿æœŸå¿ƒè‚ŒæŸä¼¤çš„å‰çž»æ€§ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate myocardial injury in neonates born to pregnant women with pregnancy complicated by severe preeclampsia by myocardial work indices. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed on 25 preterm infants born to the pregnant women with severe preeclampsia from June 2020 to April 2021 (severe preeclampsia group), and 25 preterm infants born to the pregnant women without severe complications in pregnancy were enrolled as the control group. Echocardiography was performed within 24 hours and at 48-72 hours and 14-28 days after birth to measure conventional parameters. Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography was performed to construct a noninvasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop based on two-dimensional myocardial strain and left ventricular systolic pressure noninvasively measured, so as to calculate myocardial work indices. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the severe preeclampsia group had significant reductions in left ventricular global work index and global constructive work within 24 hours after birth (P<0.05), a significant reduction in left ventricular global work efficiency and a significant increase in global waste work at 48-72 hours after birth (P<0.05), and a significant reduction in left ventricular global work efficiency at 14-28 days after birth (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical myocardial injury persists in the neonatal period in preterm infants born to pregnant women with severe preeclampsia.

Echocardiographic assessment of intimal thickness growth of patent ductus arteriosus in neonates and analysis of influencing factors.

The spontaneous closure rate of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is high, and the necessity of early intervention is debated. Quantitative echocardiographic assessment of the intima in PDA has not been reported. This study evaluated intimal thickness growth in neonatal cases of PDA via echocardiography and investigated its correlation with clinical factors. Seventy-three neonates were enrolled, and echocardiography was performed three times: within 24 h post-birth (first echo), 48 h after the first echo (second echo), and before discharge (third echo). According to PDA outcome, the neonates were divided into the PDA-open group (n = 18 cases), PDA-closure at second echo group (n = 32 cases), and non-PDA at first echo group (n = 23 cases). We measured the intimal thickness (IT1 and IT2 at first and second echo, respectively), lumen diameter of ductus arteriosus (D1 and D2 at first and second echo, respectively), IT1/D1 ratio, and intimal thickness growth rate (V). Correlations between echocardiographic indicators, perinatal factors, and clinical treatment were analyzed. On first echo, the PDA-open group showed a significantly lower IT1/D1 than the combined PDA-closure group (P < 0.05). On second echo, the PDA-open group showed a significantly lower IT2 and V than the PDA-closure group as well as a significantly higher D2 (P < 0.05). Smaller gestational age correlated with a larger D2 but smaller IT2 and V (P < 0.05) and a higher level of respiratory support within 72 h post-birth correlated with a larger D2 and smaller IT 2 (P < 0.05). Increasing oxygen demand within 72 h of birth correlated with a larger D1 and D2 (P < 0.05). Echocardiographic assessment of intimal thickness growth in PDA may provide an approach for predicting spontaneous PDA closure, thereby guiding decision-making regarding early intervention.

Evaluation of Carotid Artery Elasticity in Early Stage of Kawasaki Disease by Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Imaging: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: Children with Kawasaki disease (KD) often develop impaired arterial function. The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of two-dimensional speckle tracking technique (2DSTI) for the evaluation of carotid artery elasticity in children with early-stage KD. METHODS: Children with KD (n = 97), age and sex-matched children with fever (n = 18), and healthy controls (n = 24) were included. Children with KD were subsequently divided into a coronary artery lesion group (CAL group, 27 cases) and a noncoronary artery lesion group (nCAL group, 70 cases) based on the results of echocardiography. The carotid circumferential peak strain (CCS) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) for the children in each group were measured, and the laboratory indicators for each group were collected. RESULTS: The CCS of children with KD was lower than that of children with fever and healthy controls (P = .001 and .008), whereas CIMT was not significantly different among the groups. Moreover, the CCS of children in the CAL group was lower than that of children in the nCAL group and healthy controls (P = .001 and .000, respectively), whereas the CIMT of children in the CAL group was higher than that of children in the nCAL group (P = .014). In children with KD, CCS was negatively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (r = -.419, P = .001; and r = -.305, P = .003). However, CCS was negatively correlated with CRP (r = -.508, P = .007) but not ALT (r = -.176, P = .379) in children in the CAL group. CONCLUSION: CCS determined based on 2DSTI can reflect changes in the carotid artery elasticity function in the early stage of KD.

AST-to-ALT ratio and coronary artery lesions among patients with Kawasaki disease.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the associations between the aspartate aminotransferase-to-alanine aminotransferase ratio (AST/ALT) and coronary artery lesions (CALs) among patients with Kawasaki disease (KD). METHODS: Medical records of KD patients presenting to a single center between January 2019 and December 2020 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Univariate, multivariable-adjusted analyses, subgroup analyses, restricted cubic spline test, and fitted curves were used to evaluate the associations between AST/ALT and CALs. RESULTS: A total of 831 patients were enrolled, of which 201 (24.2%) had CALs on admission and 21 (2.5%) developed CALs de novo after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Multivariable-adjusted analyses models revealed that a lower AST/ALT was associated with an increased risk of CALs on admission when AST/ALT was a continuous variable (P = 0.007) and when it was a categorical variable (P for trend = 0.004). Each unit increase in AST/ALT was associated with a 22% lower risk of CALs on admission (odds ratio = 0.78, 95% confidence interval 0.65-0.94). A negative linear relationship was noted between AST/ALT and the risk of CALs on admission in both observed and fitted models. However, such associations were not observed in AST/ALT and CALs de novo after IVIG. None of the variables significantly modified the association between AST/ALT and CALs on admission and CALs de novo after IVIG (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that AST/ALT was a risk factor of CALs, but was not associated with progressive CALs.

Ultrasonography to detect cardiovascular damage in children with essential hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Essential hypertension in adults may begin in childhood. The damages to the heart and blood vessels in children with essential hypertension are hidden and difficult to detect. We noninvasively examined changes in cardiovascular structure and function in children with hypertension at early stage using ultrasonography. METHODS: All patients with essential hypertension admitted from March 2020 to May 2021 were classified into simple hypertension (group 1, n = 34) and hypertension co-existing with obesity (group 2, n = 11) isolation. Meanwhile 32 healthy children were detected as control heathly group (group 3). We used pulse-wave Doppler to measure carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), intimal-medial thickness (cIMT) and distensibility of carotid artery (CD). Cardiac structure and function (left atrial diameter [LAD], left ventricular mass [LVM], LVM index [LVMI], relative wall thicknes [RWT], end-diastolic left ventricular internal diameter [LVIDd], diastolic interventricular septum thickness [IVSd], diastolic left ventricular posterior wall thickness [LVPWd], root diameter of aorta [AO], E peak, A peak, E' peak, A' peak, E/E' ratio, and E/A ratio) were measured by echocardiography. RESULTS: The cfPWV of children in group 1 and group 2 were significantly higher than healthy children in group 3. Significant differences were observed in LVM, LVMI, RWT, LVIDd, IVSd, LVPWd, LAD, A peak, E' peak, A' peak, and E/E' among three groups. CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents with essential hypertension demonstrate target organ damages in the heart and blood vessels.

Neutropenia Is Not Associated With the Outcomes in Patients With Kawasaki Disease.

Objective: To investigate the outcomes of coronary artery lesions (CALs) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance in patients with and without neutropenia during the disease course and to explore the relationships between Δ absolute neutrophils count (ΔANC) and the outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients hospitalized in Children's Hospital of Soochow University with a main diagnosis of KD during January 2019 and December 2019. 1:4 propensity score matching was carried out to adjust the baseline characteristics. Smoothed plots and threshold effect analyses were performed to reveal the relationships between ΔANC and the outcomes. Results: Of the 438 patients enrolled, 75 (17.1%) were neutropenia cases and 363 (82.9%) were non-neutropenia cases. Patients with neutropenia were younger, had lower levels of initial ANC, white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP). Propensity score matching included 75 neutropenia and 247 non-neutropenia patients. No significant difference was found between neutropenia and non-neutropenia groups regarding CALs, coronary artery aneurysms, irregular coronary lumen, IVIG resistance and days of fever duration. There was a non-linear relationship between ΔANC and IVIG resistance. However, threshold effect analysis showed the incidence of IVIG resistance decreased with increasing ΔANC before the turning point (ΔANC = 1.6) (OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.50-0.8.4 P = 0.001). On the other hand, there was a linear relationship between ΔANC and CALs, even after adjusting the confounders (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02-1.11, P = 0.008). Conclusions: Neutropenia after IVIG was not exactly associated with the outcomes. However, ΔANC was in relation to CALs and IVIG resistance.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio Is Increased and Associated With Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Newly Diagnosed Essential Hypertension Children.

Aim: Hypertension is associated with cardiac structural and functional changes, including left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and LV systolic dysfunction diastolic dysfunction. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a novel inflammatory biomarker associated with cardiovascular diseases. The current study aimed to evaluate NLR in children with newly diagnosed essential hypertension and its relationship between blood pressure and cardiac changes. Methods and Subjects: Sixty-five children with newly diagnosed essential hypertension and 54 healthy children were included. Clinical characteristics, blood cell counts, and biochemical parameters were collected. LVH was assessed by calculation of LV mass index (LVMI), and LV systolic function was evaluated by measuring LV ejection fraction and fractional shortening. LV diastolic function was primarily assessed with E/E' ratio by Doppler and echocardiography. Results: The hypertension children had significantly higher LVMI and E/E' ratio than the controls, whereas there was no difference in LV systolic function between the two groups. The NLR was significantly higher in the hypertension group than the control group. Moreover, NLR was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels in the hypertension group. Additionally, a significantly positive correlation between NLR and E/E' ratio was found in the hypertension group. However, NLR was not related to LVH and LV systolic function indicators in hypertension children. Conclusion: NLR is elevated in hypertension children, and it is associated positively with office blood pressure levels. Moreover, NLR may help assess LV diastolic function in hypertension children.

[Association between serum uric acid and subclinical cardiac damage in children with primary hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the condition of subclinical cardiac damage in children with primary hypertension and the association between serum uric acid and subclinical cardiac damage. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 55 children who were hospitalized and diagnosed with primary hypertension in the Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University from January 2015 to June 2020. Forty-five healthy children, matched for age and sex, were enrolled as the control group. The two groups were compared in terms of clinical features, laboratory examination, and parameters for left ventricular structure, systolic function, and diastolic function. The correlation of serum uric acid with the parameters for left ventricular structure, systolic function, and diastolic function in children with primary hypertension was analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the hypertension group had significantly higher left ventricular mass (LVM), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and relative wall thickness (RWT) (P < 0.05). Among the children with primary hypertension, 20 (36%) had left ventricular hypertrophy. The hypertension group had significantly larger left atrial diameter and aortic root diameter than the control group (P < 0.05). The hypertension group had a significantly higher ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity than the control group (P < 0.05). The correlation analysis showed that in children with primary hypertension, serum uric acid was positively correlated with LVM (r=0.534, P < 0.01), left atrial diameter (r=0.459, P < 0.01), and aortic root diameter (r=0.361, P=0.010). After adjustment for blood pressure, serum uric acid was still positively correlated with the above parameters (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Children with primary hypertension may have subclinical cardiac damage such as left ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, left atrial enlargement, and proximal aortic dilation. Elevated serum uric acid is significantly associated with cardiac damage in children with primary hypertension.

Characteristics and Indications of Kawasaki Disease Among Infants Under 6 Months.

Objectives: To explore the characteristics of Kawasaki disease (KD) under 6 months and to investigate the possible indications of incomplete KD (iKD). Methods: The medical records of KD patients hospitalized in Children's Hospital of Soochow University from January 2007 to December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. A total of 50 cases of urinary tract infection (UTI) and 50 cases of adenovirus (ADV)-infected patients under 6 months that were age and gender-matched with the main complaint of high fever were selected as controls. Results: A total of 1,872 KD patients were enrolled. Among them, 194 (10.4%) were infantile patients under 6 months. There were 72 (37.1%) and 494 (29.4%) iKD in patients younger and older than 6 months, respectively (P < 0.05). Although patients under 6 months had a shorter fever duration before immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment, a larger proportion of these patients had IVIG resistance and coronary artery lesions. They also tended to have higher platelet (PLT) counts and C-reactive protein (CRP) and lower hemoglobin (Hb), percentage of neutrophils (N%), albumin and serum sodium. When we compared iKD under 6 months with UTI and ADV-infected patients, significant differences were found in white blood cells (WBC), Hb, PLT, CRP, N% and serum albumin (P < 0.05). After adjusting the confounders, Hb < 105.5 g/L, CRP > 22.7 mg/L, N% > 47.4 and PLT > 496 × 109/L were indications of iKD when compared with ADV infection (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.872, 0.939, 0.707, and 0.684, respectively). N% > 51.8 and albumin < 39.0 g/L were indications of iKD when compared with UTI (AUC: 0.627 and 0.832, respectively). Conclusions: Infantile KD patients under 6 months had their own particularity. Laboratory variables could be good indications of iKD when compared with UTI and ADV infection.

Ubiquitin specific protease 5 negatively regulates the IFNs-mediated antiviral activity via targeting SMURF1.

Type I interferons are broadly used for antiviral therapy in clinical. However, the IFNs-mediated antiviral efficacy is commonly restricted by negative regulators. Here, we show that the ubiquitin-specific protease 5 (USP5) inhibits the IFNs-induced p-STAT1 activation (phosphorylation at tyrosine site of STAT1) and its downstream antiviral genes expression. We clarify that USP5 physically interacts with SMURF1 (Smad ubiquitination regulating factor 1) and IFNs signaling regulates the interaction and turnover of both proteins. USP5 enhances the stability and turnover of SMURF1 via decreasing its polyubiquitin expression level, which caused STAT1 to decrease. Importantly, USP5 is also involved in the SMURF1-mediated antiviral response, and its small-molecule inhibitor PYR41 remarkably enhances the IFNs antiviral efficacy. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized function of the USP5 and USP5-SMURF1 axis in regulating the IFNs-mediated antiviral activity.

Echocardiographic Prediction of Left Ventricular Dysfunction After Transcatheter Patent Ductus Arteriosus Closure in Children.

Objectives: To evaluate the change of left ventricular (LV) systolic function after transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure in children, and to identify whether echocardiography parameters could be the predictors of LV dysfunction post-PDA closure if present. Methods: This study enrolled 191 pediatric PDA patients, and all of them underwent successful transcatheter PDA closure between January 2016 and December 2018. The patent ductus arteriosus diameter (PDAd), aortic root diameter (AOd), left atrial diameter (LAd), right ventricular outflow tract dimension (RVOT), LV end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), and LV end-systolic dimension (LVESD) were all measured by echocardiography at pre-closure, post-closure (within 24 h after the procedure), and follow-up (3 months after the procedure). The ratio of PDAd to AOd (PDAd/AOd), the ratio of LAd to AOd (LAd/AOd), the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and the fractional shortening (FS) were calculated. Results: The LAd, LVESD, LVEDD, FS, and LVEF decreased significantly in the 24 h after closure, compared to pre-closure levels. However, all echocardiography parameters recovered to pre-closure levels at 3 months after PDA closure in all patients. Moreover, the pre-closure LAd, LVEF, PDAd/AOd, and LAd/AOd were higher in the patients with post-closure LV systolic dysfunction than in those without post-closure LV systolic dysfunction. Furthermore, the pre-closure LVEF, PDAd/AOd, and LAd/AOd were correlated with the post-closure LVEF, and pre-closure LVEF ≤ 66.5%, PDAd/AOd ≥ 0.28, and LAd/AOd ≥ 1.54 predict the post-closure LV systolic dysfunction. Conclusion: Transcatheter closure of PDA causes a significant deterioration in LV systolic function early after PDA closure, which recovered completely within 3 months of post-closure in children. Pre-closure LVEF, PDAd/AOd, and LAd/AOd can be the predictors of post-closure left ventricular systolic dysfunction.