Janus kinase inhibition in induction treatment of anti-MDA5 juvenile dermatomyositis-associated rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease.

Tofacitinib has an important role in pediatric rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), an otherwise potentially fatal condition. It may be useful in induction of remission and can be used safely to maintain remission. Serum ferritin and interleukin-18 are useful markers for tracking activity and response of JDM-associated ILD.

Intra-articular glucocorticoid injections in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in a Singapore hospital.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intra-articular glucocorticoid (IAG) injections in our institution in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods: This is a retrospective assessment of IAG injections performed by the Department of Paediatrics, National University Hospital, Singapore, from October 2009 to October 2011. A total of 26 procedures were evaluated for efficacy, considering parameters such as clinical response, changes in systemic medication, length of time between repeat injections, safety, consent-taking, pre- and post-procedural advice, compliance with aseptic technique, and post-procedural complications.

Specialist pediatric dialysis nursing improves outcomes in children on chronic peritoneal dialysis.

Chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) for children in Singapore was instituted in 1988 at the National University Hospital with adult nurses providing dialysis services during the first 10 years. In 1998, a specialist pediatric dialysis nursing team was recruited. This study was conducted to determine the impact of dialysis nursing service on PD-related outcomes during the two nursing periods.

Simulating inadequate dialysis and its correction using an individualized patient-derived nomogram.

Computerized kinetic modeling is a valuable automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) prescription tool for optimizing dialysis adequacy. However, non-compliance results in failure to achieve adequacy targets. The aim of this study was to determine if a nomogram could estimate dialysis compensations for shortfalls in simulated non-compliant patients, such that total weekly urea clearance (Kt/V(urea)) targets are met.