Patterns and Emerging Trends in Acute Poisoning with Substances of Abuse Used for Recreational Purposes in Adolescents: A Six-Year Multicentre Study.

This six-year multicentre study investigated acute intentional poisoning with substances of abuse in adolescents to identify changes and patterns in substance use. Data from 562 adolescents were collected from three paediatric poison centres in Romania between January 2017 and December 2022. This study analysed the epidemiological and sociodemographic characteristics of the adolescents, including age, gender, place of residence, history of substance abuse, psychiatric history, and history of institutionalised care.

Neurological Manifestations of Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Pediatric Patients: A 3-Year Study on Differences between Pandemic Waves.

This study analyzed the neurological manifestation profiles of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection across pandemic waves in pediatric patients. The study collected data on patients aged between 0 and 18 years, diagnosed with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, admitted to a pediatric tertiary hospital between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2023. This study included 1677 patients.

Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics of Acute Plant Exposure in Patients Aged between 0 and 18 Years-A Six-Year Retrospective Study.

Background: Exposure to plants accounts for approximately 5% of human poisoning cases reported by poison control centers in North America and Europe. The aim of this study was to investigate acute plant poisoning in patients aged 0-18 years admitted to a Romanian pediatric poison center, focusing on epidemiological and clinical aspects.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted between 2017 and 2022, analyzing medical records for demographic information, clinical features, biological findings, and outcomes.

Use of Lung Ultrasound in Reducing Radiation Exposure in Neonates with Respiratory Distress: A Quality Management Project.

Our quality management project aims to decrease by 20% the number of neonates with respiratory distress undergoing chest radiographs as part of their diagnosis and monitoring. This quality management project was developed at Life Memorial Hospital, Bucharest, between 2021 and 2023. Overall, 125 patients were included in the study.

Benzalkonium Chloride Poisoning in Pediatric Patients: Report of Case with a Severe Clinical Course and Literature Review.

The use of disinfectants, particularly those containing quaternary ammonium compounds (QUACs), has dramatically escalated globally since the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. We report a case that highlights the risks associated with ingesting low-concentration QUAC solutions and emphasize the importance of effective management in resolving severe lesions without sequelae. A 17-month-old boy experienced severe respiratory failure after ingesting a disinfectant containing benzalkonium chloride (BAC).

Neurotoxicity and Other Clinical Manifestations of a Common European Adder ( Bite in Romania.

Most cases of envenomation by common European vipers () have not been reported to have neurotoxic manifestations. However, these manifestations have been demonstrated in some cases of envenomation by subspecies of , found in the Carpathian Basin region of south-eastern Europe. Here, we report the case of a 5-year-old girl from the south of Romania who presented symptoms of neurotoxicity, as well as other systemic and local symptoms, after being bitten by an adder of the subspecies.

The Role of Predictive Models in the Assessment of the Poor Outcomes in Pediatric Acute Liver Failure.

Objectives: In children, acute liver failure (ALF) is a severe condition with high mortality. As some patients need liver transplantation (LT), it is essential to predict the fatal evolution and to refer them early for LT if needed. Our study aimed to evaluate the prognostic criteria and scores for assessing the outcome in children with ALF.

Clinical features in toxic coma in children.

The purpose was to identify rapidly the etiology of toxic coma in children, to appreciate the severity of the coma, to detect elements of gravity based on associated clinical signs and symptoms and to evaluate the initial treatment. Toxic coma is a medical emergency, especially in a Pediatric Emergency Department, requiring rapid and precise evaluation. The key objectives in the evaluation and management of coma in children are: detecting severity characteristics, depth of coma, specific clinical signs and symptoms, etiological and differential diagnostic and also initializing supportive therapy and specific treatment.

Rare Conduction Abnormality in a Four-year-old Child with Carbamazepine Acute Poisoning.

Cardiac conduction abnormalities are reported after ingestion of a toxic dose of carbamazepine. We describe the case of a four-year-old child with carbamazepine acute poisoning who developed reversible synoatrial block along with neurological toxic signs, despite a serum level of carbamazepine close to the upper limit of the therapeutic range. Although carbamazepine-induced sinoatrial block has been reported in the literature even at therapeutic doses in adult patients, our personal research has not identified any record of this cardiac conduction abnormality in acute carbamazepine poisoning at pediatric age.

Acute liver failure secondary to toxic exposure in children.

Introduction: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a syndrome defined by jaundice, coagulopathy (INR > 1.5) and hepatic encephalopathy in patients with no evidence of prior liver disease. Toxins and drugs are a frequent cause of ALF in children.

Peripheral immune cell markers in children with recurrent respiratory infections in the absence of primary immunodeficiency.

The immune system of a child has a degree of immaturity that is maintained until 6-7 years of age. Immaturity may be due to age-related functional disorders in the immune response. A healthy child can contract a series of infections which contribute to the maturation of the immune system during the pre-pubertal period.

Esophageal Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance and pH Monitoring in the Evaluation of Achalasia and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in a Child with Down Syndrome: a Case Report.

We report the case of a rare association between achalasia and Down syndrome in a child presenting with symptoms that suggest a gastroesophageal reflux. Evaluation of the patient with 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH recording and upper endoscopy lead to the diagnosis of achalasia. However, the persistence of the symptoms after the concurrent surgical myomectomy and fundoplication has led to repeat pH-impedance monitoring testing and endoscopy, which identified the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

[Factors influencing the use of systemic antibiotics in hospitalized pediatric patients in Bucharest, Romania].

Background: Formulation of effective strategies for prudent usage of antibacterial agents involves knowing of the factors that are modulating the variability of usage rate.

Objective: analysis of the factors what modulate the usage rate's variability of antimicrobials prescribed to hospitalized children from Bucharest municipality.

Methods: A statistically representative sample (n=895) has been extracted from the cohort of children discharged during October 2008 from the Bucharest's main pediatric university clinic.

[Frequency and severity of rotavirus acute gastroenteritis hospitalized in Bucharest, Romania. Results of a case-control study].

Background: rotavirus gastroenteritis is an emergent condition of morbidity at global level; WHO is currently recommending integration of rotavirus vaccination into the regions and states where rotavirus infection is identified as a public health priority problem.

Objective: analyzing the frequency and clinical severity of rotavirus gastroenteritis in pediatric inpatients and commenting the programmatic signification of the analysis' results.

Methods: descriptive retrospective study followed by case-control study upon the cohort of patients hospitalized in the year 2008, for acute diarrhoeal disease (ADD) of infectious nature in the biggest university clinic for children from Bucharest municipality.

Mortality rate in acute poisoning in a pediatric toxicology department.

Introduction: Acute poisoning, an important health issue in children can result in some cases in severe evolution and even death.

Objective: The aim of the study is to analyze cases of death caused by acute poisoning which occurred in a ten-year-period in a Pediatric Toxicology Department in Bucharest.

Methods: For the purpose of the study all medical records of the deceased patients with acute poisoning between 1995-2004 were analyzed with particular focus on the following criteria: etiology, age, social environment, type of intoxication (unintentional or intentional).