COVID-19 preparedness-a survey among neonatal care providers in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: To evaluate COVID-19 pandemic preparedness, available resources, and guidelines for neonatal care delivery among neonatal health care providers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) across all continents.

Study Design: Cross-sectional, web-based survey administered between May and June, 2020.

Results: Of 189 invited participants in 69 LMICs, we received 145 (77%) responses from 58 (84%) countries.

Indicators Of Hepatopulmonary Syndrome In Patients With Portal Hypertension. Its Various Aetiologies, Clinical Presentations And Outcome.

Background: Hepatopulmonary syndrome is severe pulmonary vascular complication of chronic liver disease requiring liver transplant. This study was conducted to evaluate different indicators of HPS in patients with portal hypertension, its varied aetiologies, clinical features & outcome.

Methods: Hospital based descriptive study, 203 patients were enrolled, divided in to 2 groups positive and negative on the basis of presence or absence of HPS as per diagnostic criteria.

Association of Blood Groups with the Severity and Outcome of COVID-19 Infection in Children.

The objective of this study was to find out the association of ABO blood groups with the severity and outcome of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children. It included all laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 and post-COVID multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)/ Kawasaki disease (KD) like illness, admitted from March to September, 2020 to The Children's Hospital, Lahore. Out of 66 children, 45 (68.

Perspective of health professionals on hand hygiene in a tertiary care center in Pakistan.

Objective: To determine the awareness of postgraduate residents and nurses working in a tertiary care hospital about hand hygiene.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2018 at The Children's Hospital and the Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised postgraduate residents and nurses. Data was collected using a 31-item self-administered inventory.

Emergence of plasmid-mediated mcr genes from Gram-negative bacteria at the human-animal interface.

Background: The global emergence of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance (Col-R) conferred by mcr genes in gram-negative rods (GNRs) has jeopardized the last treatment option for multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in humans. This study aimed to assess the emergence of mcr gene-mediated Col-R in GNRs isolated from humans and animals in Pakistan.

Methods: Animal and clinical specimens collected from various sources were prospectively analysed using standard microbiological procedures.

Major histocompatibility complex class II polymorphic variants are associated with asthma predisposition in the Punjabi population of Lahore, Pakistan.

Introduction: Various genome wide association studies have manifested that Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) region on chromosome 6p21 houses many potential candidate genes for asthma.

Objective: This Case-Control association study was planned to determine the association of 10 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), residing within and around MHC genes' region on chromosome 6p21, with Asthma in Punjabi population of Lahore, Pakistan.

Methods: A total of 161 subjects, 61 physician-diagnosed asthma patients and 100 age-matched healthy controls, were recruited from Lahore, a city in Punjab.

Intussusception after Rotavirus Vaccine Introduction in India.

Background: A three-dose, oral rotavirus vaccine (Rotavac) was introduced in the universal immunization program in India in 2016. A prelicensure trial involving 6799 infants was not large enough to detect a small increased risk of intussusception. Postmarketing surveillance data would be useful in assessing whether the risk of intussusception would be similar to the risk seen with different rotavirus vaccines used in other countries.

Novel IDS Variants Identified in Three Unrelated Pakistani Patients Affected with Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II (Hunter Syndrome).

Introduction: Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS-II) or Hunter syndrome is a rare X-linked recessive disorder caused by genetic lesions in the IDS gene, encoding the iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS) enzyme, disrupting the metabolism of certain sulfate components of the extracellular matrix. Thus, the undegraded components, also known as glycosaminoglycans, accumulate in multiple tissues resulting in multisystemic abnormalities.

Objective: To uncover causative genetic lesions in probands of three unrelated Pakistani families affected with rare X-linked recessive Hunter syndrome.

Frequency and pattern of Paediatric Heart Diseases: Five years experience at The Children's Hospital, Multan.

Background & Objectives: Heart diseases in paediatric population are considered to be significant contributors to mortality and morbidity. Congenital heart disease (CHD) as well as acquired heart disease (AHD) are frequent causes of hospital admission among children. This study was aimed at finding out frequency and pattern of heart diseases in admitted patients at The Children's Hospital, Multan.

Acute bilirubin encephalopathy and its associated risk factors in a tertiary care hospital, Pakistan.

Objective: To determine the incidence of acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE) and its risk factors in neonates presenting with hyperbilirubinemia in a tertiary care children hospital.

Methods: This descriptive observational study was conducted from June 2018 to June 2019. A total of 300 infants who were admitted in neonatal ICU with diagnosis of hyperbilirubinemia in The Children's Hospital & The Institute of Child Health, Multan, Pakistan were included in this period.

Paediatric Surgery training in South Africa: Trainees' perspectives.

Purpose: There is very little documented evidence regarding the training of paediatric surgeons in South Africa since its inception as a formal speciality in 2007. This study aims to assess South African paediatric surgical trainees' perspectives regarding their training.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted via an emailed electronic survey.

Efficacy and safety of recently approved drugs for sickle cell disease: a review of clinical trials.

Sickle cell disease is prevalent in several parts of the world. Most hospitalizations of these patients are related to pain crisis episodes. Moreover, levels of hemoglobin are lower in sickle cell disease patients as compared with the general population.

Impact of intermittent kangaroo mother care on weight gain of neonate in nicu: Randomized control trial.

Objective: To measure the impact of intermittent kangaroo mother care on weight-gain of neonates in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Methods: The randomised controlled trial was conducted at the Department of Neonatology, the Children Hospital and the Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Pakistan, from March to October, 2018, and recruited newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. The subjects were randomised into case and control groups.

The spectrum of primary immunodeficiencies at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

Background: Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders (PIDs) are well-known disorders in the West. but the recognition and diagnosis of these disorders is challenging in developing countries. We present the spectrum of PIDs seen at a tertiary care center in Pakistan, identified using clinical case definitions and molecular methods.

COVID-19 and comorbidities: Deleterious impact on infected patients.

The pandemic situation with the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from China has endangered human lives. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is presented with asymptomatic, mild, or severe pneumonia-like symptoms. COVID-19 patients with diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular diseases (CVD), hypertension, malignancies, HIV, and other comorbidities could develop a life-threatening situation.

Morbidity and Mortality Associated With Pediatric Critical Mediastinal Mass Syndrome.

Objective The critical mediastinal mass syndrome (CMMS) is a life-threatening condition and is challenging for physicians. We analyse the clinicopathological profile and outcome of CMMS from a large tertiary-care pediatric oncology center in Pakistan. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical record of a tertiary-care hospital in Pakistan from April 2017 to September 2019 for all children (1 month-16 years) who presented with an anterior mediastinal mass (AMM).

Correlation of serum levels of Vitamin D with serum parathormone in nursing mothers and infants 1-6 months' age from South Punjab, Pakistan.

Background And Objective: Parathormone (PTH) and serum Vitamin D (VD) share a complex interplay where increased VD leads to a negative response on parathormone level. Our objective was to determine the correlation of parathormone (PTH) and Vitamin D (VD) levels in nursing mothers and infants 1-6 months' age from South Punjab, Pakistan.

Methods: This study is a secondary data analysis of previously conducted cross sectional study which was conducted at the Department of Pediatric Medicine, Nishtar Medical University, Multan, during August 2010 to June 2011.

Mesenteric Lipoma with Volvulus: A Rare Cause of Acute Abdomen in a Child.

Lipoma is benign tumor of mature fat cells and is reported to develop anywhere in the body, e.g. trunk and extremities; however, lipoma in the mesentery of gut is rare, particularly in children.

Association Study of Coronary Artery Disease-Associated Genome-Wide Significant SNPs with Coronary Stenosis in Pakistani Population.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of coronary artery disease (CAD) have revealed multiple genetic risk loci. We assessed the association of 47 genome-wide significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at 43 CAD loci with coronary stenosis in a Pakistani sample comprising 663 clinically ascertained and angiographically confirmed cases. Genotypes were determined using the iPLEX Gold technology.

Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on pediatric oncology care in the Middle East, North Africa, and West Asia region: A report from the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) group.

Background: Childhood cancer is a highly curable disease when timely diagnosis and appropriate therapy are provided. A negative impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on access to care for children with cancer is likely but has not been evaluated.

Methods: A 34-item survey focusing on barriers to pediatric oncology management during the COVID-19 pandemic was distributed to heads of pediatric oncology units within the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) collaborative group, from the Middle East, North Africa, and West Asia.

Correlation Of Severity Of Metabolic Acidosis At Admission And Outcome In Asphyxiated Neonates.

Background: Blood gases can provide information about the perinatal, natal and postnatal condition of newborn. Severity of metabolic acidosis has deleterious effect on the outcome of babies. When the cord blood gases are not available the arterial blood gases are used for interpreting the status of newborn.

Correction to: 14 Years' experience of esophageal replacement surgeries.

The quality of the images published in the original version was not satisfactory. The better version images are provided below.