Clinical and biochemical spectrum of metabolic cardiomyopathy in Egyptian children.

Background: Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) commonly present with pediatric cardiomyopathy. Identification of the underlying cause is necessary as it may lead to improved outcomes.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the diagnostic rate, the clinical, and biochemical spectra of IEMs among Egyptian pediatric patients presenting with cardiomyopathy, and their outcome measures.

The use of bedside echocardiography for measuring cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance in pediatric patients with septic shock.

Objective: Follow-up of cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance index by bedside echocardiography until resuscitation.

Methods: A set of hemodynamic parameters was obtained, including cardiac output, stroke volume, cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance index, velocity time integral, myocardial performance index, capillary refill time, and heart rate at 0 hours after fluid boluses before the start of inotropes, and followed up after 6 hours and 24 hours.

Results: Included were 45 patients with community-acquired septic shock.

Risk factors of prolonged hospital stay in children with viral severe acute respiratory infections.

Introduction: Severe acute lower respiratory infections (SARIs) are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in young children, especially in developing countries. The present study focused on detection of risk factors for prolonged hospital stays among children with viral SARIs.

Methodology: A sentinel surveillance study was conducted at Cairo University Hospital (CUH) between February 2010 and May 2011.