Echocardiography in PICU: when the heart sees what is invisible to the eye.

Objective: Echocardiography has become an indispensable bedside diagnostic tool in the realm of pediatric intensive care units (PICU). It has proven to be an influential factor in the formula of clinical decision-making. This study aimed to delineate the impact of echocardiography on the management of critically ill pediatric patients in the PICU at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman.

Pattern of Viral Infections among Infants and Children Admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the pattern of viral infections in infants and children admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) in Muscat, Oman.

Methods: A retrospective review of patient records was carried out on all patients admitted to the PICU between January 2011 and December 2012. In order to detect viruses, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology was used to detect viruses in nasopharyngeal aspirates, tracheal aspirates, plasma, stool and urine samples.