Efficacy and Safety of Prophylactic Agents in Prevention of Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled rials.

Objective: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of preventable childhood blindness in preterm infants with low birth weight. The efficacy and safety of prophylactic agents, including vitamin A, propranolol and lipids, in reducing ROP incidence remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness and safety of these agents in preventing ROP.

The Efficacy of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis in Infants Born to HBsAg-Positive Mothers: A Single Center Experience in Saudi Arabia.

Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with the hepatitis B vaccine (HBVac) in combination with HBV immunoglobulins (HBIG) significantly minimizes the odds of vertical transmission of HBV to newborn infants. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the compliance and efficacy of PEP in a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia. Infants were tested with HBV serological markers at 7 months of age to assess their PEP protection rate.

Acquired Zinc Deficiency in Preterm Infant Post-Surgery for Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) on Prolonged Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN).

Zinc (Zn) is a vital trace element that plays a pivotal role in protein synthesis, cellular growth, and differentiation and is involved as a cofactor of metalloenzymes, performing a wide variety of metabolic, immune, and synthesis roles. Zn is required at all stages of an infant's and child's development, and severe Zn deficiency has been reported to lead to slower physical, cognitive, and sexual growth. Preterm neonates are at a higher risk of developing zinc deficiency for a variety of reasons, including low Zn intake from enteral feeds containing breast milk, relative malabsorption due to immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract with limited absorptive capacity, increased urinary loss of zinc, and increased demand during the early developmental stages.

Establishment of reference interval for hemoglobin A1C and other hemoglobin subfractions for healthy Saudi adults.

Background: The establishment of Reference Intervals (RIs) for Hemoglobin A1C and other hemoglobin subfractions (A1A, A1B, F, LA1C, A0) is of utmost importance in screening, diagnosing, and monitoring diabetes and other hemoglobin abnormalities through the application of high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. Because there are no locally established RIs for these parameters, it is essential to establish RIs specific to the Saudi population to accurately diagnose and monitor diabetic individuals and identify abnormal levels in hemoglobin subfractions.

Methods: As part of the IFCC global multicenter study of laboratory reference values, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia.

Assessment of mental health and various strategies among Health Professions' (HP) students: A cross sectional study in King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences.

Background: The education environment of medical colleges is known to have a burdensome effect on the overall mental health of the students. This study aimed to investigate the immediate impact of the medical education environment on mental health and quality of life among Health Profession students and to identify various coping strategies used by students to mitigate the stress.

Materials And Methods: An online survey was conducted between April 1 and May 10, 2021, using a validated questionnaire based on DASS-42, employing a snowball sampling technique.

Digital Ischemia in an Extreme Preterm Infant Treated with Nitroglycerin Patch.

Ischemic limb lesions occasionally occur in neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units. Known risk factors include the placement of arterial catheters, arterial punctures to obtain blood samples, and the use of vasoactive/vasopressor medications for hypotension. Prolonged peripheral tissue ischemia may result in serious complications, and successful management depends on early detection, proper assessment, and the institution of appropriate intervention.

Noninvasive Neurally Adjusted Ventilation versus Nasal Continuous or Intermittent Positive Airway Pressure for Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The noninvasive neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NIV-NAVA) is a newly developed noninvasive ventilation technique with promising clinical and ventilatory outcomes for preterm infants. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate whether NIV-NAVA has better clinical and ventilatory outcomes than nasal continuous airway pressure (NCPAP) or noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPP) on premature infants. MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL were searched, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared NIV-NAVA with NCPAP or NIPP for preterm infants (gestational age: <37 weeks) were included.

Prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in Saudi infants and toddlers: A cross-sectional multicenter study.

Background: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common pediatric problems, but their prevalence in Saudi Arabia is unknown. We aimed to assess the prevalence of FGIDs and risk factors among children in six regions of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional multicenter study enrolling children aged 0-48 months, attending pediatric clinics.

Incidence of Inborn Errors of Metabolism in Newborn Infants: Five Years' Single-Center Experience, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are inherited biochemical/metabolic disorders that are commonly present in the immediate neonatal period. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence and distribution of IEMs in newborn infants delivered in our hospital and to evaluate its outcome. A total of 16 494 (99.

Jeddah Retinopathy of Prematurity (JED-ROP) Screening Algorithm.

The Jeddah retinopathy of prematurity (JED-ROP) algorithm, which is more specific to the population in Saudi Arabia, was established to decrease the number of infants screened without missing type 1 ROP cases. The data reviewed were birth weight (BW), gestational age (GA), weekly postnatal weight gain (PWG), and relevant perinatal risk factors. The sensitivities and specificities for detecting type 1 ROP were calculated.

Improving COVID-19 vaccine uptake: lessons from an academic institution in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Rejection, hesitancy and low uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine are major public health challenges in Saudi Arabia.

Aims: To address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and rejection at the King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) using evidence-based strategies.

Methods: A questionnaire was administered electronically to participants at KSAU-HS to understand the reasons for vaccine hesitancy or rejection and develop an evidence-informed vaccination plan.

Knowledge, attitudes, and understanding of probiotics among pediatricians in different regions of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit upon the host. Knowledge and attitudes of health professionals have been reported to be at a medium level for probiotics. The objective was to evaluate the knowledge and practice styles about probiotics among pediatricians working in different regions of Saudi Arabia.

Neuroblastoma amplified sequence gene mutation: A rare cause of recurrent liver failure in children.

Neuroblastoma amplified sequence (NBAS) gene mutation or infantile liver failure syndrome type 2 (ILFS type 2) is an extremely rare disease characterized by episodic liver failure precipitated by intercurrent febrile illness, and liver function recovering completely. Here, we report a 4-year-old girl with recurrent hepatitis. A diagnosis of ILFS type 2 was made based on NBAS mutation gene found by whole-exome sequencing.

Neonatal Hyperthyroidism with Fulminant Liver Failure: A Case Report.

Neonatal hyperthyroidism is a rare disease that is seen in infants born to mothers with Graves' disease. Hepatic manifestation of neonatal hyperthyroidism is extremely rare. We describe a neonate with fulminant liver failure secondary to neonatal hyperthyroidism caused by maternal Graves's disease.

Prevalence of selected congenital anomalies in Saudi children: a community-based study.

Background And Objectives: Limited data are available on the prevalence of congenital anomalies based on a community survey in Middle East countries. The prevalence of congenital anomalies is expected to be high in these countries because of the high consanguinity rate and high maternal age. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to establish the prevalence of congenital anomalies in Saudi Arab children.

CO(2) inhalation as a treatment for apnea of prematurity: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.

Objective: To compare the effect of prolonged inhalation of a low concentration of CO(2) with theophylline for the treatment of apnea of prematurity.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial of 87 preterm infants with apnea of prematurity (27-32 weeks' gestational age) assigned to either theophylline plus 0.5 L/min of room air via nasal prongs or placebo plus 0.

The prevalence of neurological disorders in Saudi children: a community-based study.

There are limited data on the pattern and prevalence of pediatric chronic neurologic conditions in the region. Therefore, the objective of this study was to establish the prevalence of these disorders in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A multistage probability sampling design was used to select a random sample of Saudi households representative of the Saudi population.

The pattern of acute rheumatic fever in children: Experience at the children's hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: The study was carried out in Riyadh City Hospital to determine the hospital prevalence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), its characteristics and to determine the proportion of the ARF population that have recurrent attacks.

Methods: The study was an analysis of 83 children with ARF, admitted to the Children's Hospital, Riyadh, over a 10-year period (1994-2003). The diagnosis of ARF was based on clinical features as defined in the modified Jones criteria with evidence of recent streptococcal infection.

Age related reference ranges of heart rate for Saudi children and adolescents.

Objective: To evaluate the resting heart rate to define reference values for healthy Saudi children and adolescents.

Methods: To establish representative heart rate (HR) reference values for Saudi Arabian children and adolescents, a sample of children, and adolescents was selected by multi-stage probability sampling of the Saudi population from birth to 20 years of age. The selected sample represents Saudi children from the whole country.

Blood pressure standards for Saudi children and adolescents.

Background And Objectives: Blood pressure levels may vary in children because of genetic, ethnic and socioeconomic factors. To date, there have been no large national studies in Saudi Arabia on blood pressure in children.Therefore, we sought to establish representative blood pressure reference centiles for Saudi Arabian children and adolescents.

The prevalence of sickle cell disease in Saudi children and adolescents. A community-based survey.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and regional distribution of sickle cell disease in Saudi children.

Methods: A sample size of 45,682 children and adolescents from newborn to 19 years of age was selected by multistage random probability sampling of the Saudi households from each of the 13 regions of the country. The study is cross-sectional, community based, and conducted over 2 years from 2004 to 2005.

A randomized controlled trial of theophylline versus CO2 inhalation for treating apnea of prematurity.

Objective: To determine whether inhalation of 0.8% CO(2) in preterm infants decreases the duration and rate of apnea as effectively as or better than theophylline with fewer adverse side effects.

Study Design: A prospective, randomized, control study of 42 preterm infants of gestational age 27 to 32 weeks assigned to receive inhaled CO(2) (n = 21) or theophylline (n = 21).