Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Hawal Amr I M
Prime Health Care Group, UAE
Keynote: Necrotizing enterocolitis in a preterm infant newborn and role of feeding …. an update!
Time : 10:10 am - 10:55 am
Biography:
Dr. Amr Hawal is a Pediatrician and Neonatologist whose experience in the field spans 20 years, backed by a higher education degree from Ain Shams University in Egypt, one of the oldest and top-ranking universities in the MENA region. He is known for his astute skills in evaluation and strong passion for improving healthcare and wellbeing. He is pioneering an open and contextual evaluation model based on constructive responses, which has led in the creation of new methods to improve pediatric healthcare, neonatology and pediatric nutrition.
Abstract:
Statement of the Problem: It’s a clinical case presentation of a male preterm infant newborn (+31 weeks) who was delivered in our hospital and transferred to our NICU because of prematurity, VLBW and need to respiratory support. Baby shortly undergo necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) on 5th day of life shortly after start of expressed milk feeding …! Which was early detected by use of Near infrared abdominal spectroscopy (NIRS). Baby was deteriorated clinically in a couple of hours and undergo intestinal perforation with peritonitis. So, Abdominal exploration surgery with intestinal resection and end – to end anastomosis was done urgently. Baby improved gradually and early feedings was started and gradually increased up to full feedings with use of human fortified milk (HMF), probiotics and Prebiotics.
Findings: The study stated the evidence-based feeding strategies guidelines for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) among very low birth weight infants and role of trophic feedings, probiotics, prebiotics and micronutrients in prophylaxis, prevention and management of NEC.
Recommendations: Prematurity is the single greatest risk factor for NEC and avoidance of premature birth is the best way to prevent NEC; The role of feeding in the pathogenesis of NEC is uncertain, but it seems prudent to use breast milk (when available) and advance feedings slowly and cautiously; NEC is one of the leading causes of mortality, and the most common reason for emergent GI surgery in newborns; NEC remains a major unsolved medical challenge, for which no specific therapy exists, and its pathogenesis remains controversial; A better understanding of the pathophysiology will offer new and innovative therapeutic approaches, and future studies should be focused on the roles of the epithelial barrier, innate immunity, and microbiota in this disorder; Bioinformatics modeling is a new emerging strategy aimed at understanding the dynamics of various inflammatory markers and their application in early diagnosis and treatment.
- Neonatology
Session Introduction
Sebastian Gericke
Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Children’s Hospital, South Africa
Title: Changes in cerebral blood flow and cardiac output in premature neonates in the first 72 hours of life
Time : 11:15 am - 11:50 am
Biography:
Sebastian Gericke has obtained his MB ChB degree at the Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He is currently pursuing his Paediatric Speciality Training at Stellenbosch University.
Abstract:
Background: A major determinant of adverse neurodevelopmental outcome is the early acquisition of prematurity related brain injury associated with perturbations of cerebral hemodynamics. Several impediments however exist in establishing a causative relationship between systemic hemodynamic disturbances and prematurity related brain injury.
Methods: A nested cohort of a prospective cardiac output methods comparison in preterm infants was compiled and involved infants admitted to a tertiary level neonatal high care unit. An interim analysis of 63 premature infants meeting the inclusion criteria of gestational age between 26-34 weeks with recorded cranial ultrasound and echocardiographic data was performed. Excluded infants were those with birth weight <800 gm, gestational age <26 weeks, congenital defects and infants with asphyxia. Left Ventricular Cardiac Output (LVO), as measured by echocardiography was correlated to anterior cerebral artery flow velocities, derived from cranial ultrasound Doppler.
Results: Measurements were recorded at six hourly intervals up to 72 hours of life and analyzed in two subgroups: 31 infants (gestational age 28.6±1.25 weeks, range 26-30 weeks) and 32 infants (gestational age 32.4±1.0 weeks, range 30-34 weeks). LVO remained constant across gestational age categories. Peak-systolic flow velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic flow velocity (EDV) had initial low values with gradual increase over time. Lower mean values were detected in the 26-30-week gestational age group representing intrinsic differences in cerebral vasculature of the developing brain. Neither PSV nor EDV had a strong correlation with LVO.
Conclusion: In this population of relatively stable premature infants’ changes in PSV and EDV did not correlate with LVO suggesting intact cerebral autoregulation.
Maria Bertha Romo Almanza
Guadalupe Victoria Maternity Hospital, Mexico
Title: Invasive candidiasis in newborns report of cases and review of literature diagnosis, treatment and prevention
Time : 11:50 am - 12:25 pm
Biography:
Abstract:
- Pediatric Neurology
Session Introduction
Sarah El Yaman
North Shore LIJ Health System, Lebanon
Title: Recognizing motor delays in children: Guidelines for the general pediatrician
Time : 12:25 pm - 13:00 pm
Biography:
Abstract:
- Pediatric Cardiology
Session Introduction
Paola Vidal Rojo
La Salle A C University, Mexico
Title: Treating congenital heart diseases with high tech procedures in an unequal country
Time : 14:10 pm - 14:40 pm
Biography:
Abstract:
- Special Session - Birth Defects
Session Introduction
Veronika Frisova
Profema- Fetal Medicine Centre,Czech Republic
Title: Prenatal screening for chromosomal defects
Time : 15:10 pm - 15:50 pm
Biography:
Abstract:
- Poster Sessions
Session Introduction
Hawala Amr I M
Prime Health Care Group, UAE
Title: Our daily use chemical products the enemy we trust phthalates, parabens and bisphenol A, risks and challenge to avoid .... an update!
Biography:
Dr. Amr Hawal is a Pediatrician and Neonatologist whose experience in the field spans 20 years, backed by a higher education degree from Ain Shams University in Egypt, one of the oldest and top-ranking universities in the MENA region. He is known for his astute skills in evaluation and strong passion for improving healthcare and wellbeing. He is pioneering an open and contextual evaluation model based on constructive responses, which has led in the creation of new methods to improve pediatric healthcare, neonatology and pediatric nutrition.
Abstract:
Our Literature Review Study Reflects: The light on some chemical substances which are widely used in many and different aspects of our children daily practices and try to get the answers for the following important questions. Do these chemicals that our children are widely exposed to since even their prenatal period and throughout their lives have real high risks and dangers on their health? Is the use of these chemicals essential for our kids or we can avoid and replace them with other non-risky substances and hazardous chemical free products...!! Recently, a lot of systematic review studies have been done to investigate the possible relations between the most common chemical substances that we use daily and possible risks and health problems that may affect our children. Among the chemicals that have been studied intensively in the last few years are phthalate, bisphenol A and parabens which are known endocrine disruptors due to their anti-androgenic and/or estrogenic effects!
The Purpose & Objectives of Our Study: The main objective of this study are to provide an overview of some widely and commonly used chemicals that are introduced to many of the products essentially used by our children daily, and the possible relations between their use and some of the common health problems and disorders that affect children in order to raise the awareness among parents and health care providers regarding their potential health impacts on children and to provide a proper guidance that help to minimize the avoidable exposure to these risky chemicals and replace them with hazardous chemicals free products till we get enough studies that prove or disprove their risks and effects.
Methods & Results: Our study tries to search through, emphasis on and spot the light on the use of three chemical substances (paraben, phthalates and bisphenol A) that are commonly and widely used in most of our children life aspects, searches for their possible risks and hazards on our kids' health, tries to get relations and connections between these substances and common pediatric health problems and disorders. In our study we reviewed the data collected from many evidences based systematic reviews and Cohort studies have dealt with these hazardous substances and stated the high incidence of their risks and their bad impacts on our kids' health and prove the relation of these chemicals to certain respiratory problems specially wheezing in childhood, ADHD, some atopic conditions and endocrine disruptions among children.
Recommendations: Our study concluded and suggested that it is better to eliminate exposure to these chemicals as evidences are rising against their safety. It's very important to increase the awareness among parents and health care providers regarding the possible risks of these chemicals and provide them the most proven practical tips for their avoidance. Further epidemiological studies should be conducted in the future to enhance our knowledge in this area.
Eva Grudule
Riga Stradins University, Latvia
Title: Autoimmune encephalitis incidence, comparison of therapy tactics and efficiency in Children’s Clinical University Hospital from 2011-2018
Biography:
Eva Grudule is a 4th year resident in paediatrics at Rigas Stradins University, and work at Children’s Clinical University Hospital in Riga.
Abstract:
Introduction: Autoimmune encephalitis refers to a group of conditions that occur when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy brain cells, leading to inflammation of the brain. The incidence of AE in US increased from 0.4 per 100,000 person-years between 1995 and 2005 to 1.2 per 100,000 person-years between 2006 and 2015. Early treatment decreases the likelihood for long-term complications, speeds recovery and reduces the risk of recurrence.
Aim: To find out the number of possible autoimmune encephalitis cases, compare therapy tactics and effectiveness in CCUH.
Method: Retrospective, descriptive analysis of data on non-infectious, possibly autoimmune encephalitis at CCUH during the years 2011-2018. Criteria for inclusion: subacute onset of altered mental status or psychiatric symptoms; CSF pleocytosis or MRI features suggestive of encephalitis; reasonable exclusion of alternative causes.
Results: Twenty-four patients (46% boys, 54% girls) aged one-17 years (average nine, one years) were included to this analysis. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) was diagnosed in 13 patients, autoimmune encephalitis (AE) in 11. Ten (10) patients received treatment with i/v methylprednisolone for three-five days (ADEM-10, AE-2), 10 patients were treated with combination of several drugs (for six patients – i.v. methylprednisolone and i.v. immunoglobulin therapy, but for four patients’ immunosuppressive therapy and plasmapheresis). One patient did not receive therapy, because was stationed with relapse of AE. After treatment, 41% (n-10) of patients had no neurological symptoms at the day of discharge. Re-therapy stationary was needed for 12 patients, (50%) but re-examination for two patients (8%).
Conclusion: Immune-mediated encephalitis is a relatively rare disease in children’s but improving diagnostic capabilities the number of diagnosed cases is increasing. Early therapy is associated with a better therapeutic effect. One of the patients with delayed treatment, contiuned i.v. immunoglobulin therapy for four years.