BACKGROUND: Amphotericin B is used in pediatrics for severe fungal infections despite its known nephrotoxic side effects. Tubular injury and renal vasoconstriction range from 15-58% with exact risk factors that predispose children to developing these complications still undefined. OBJECTIVES: To determine the risk factors for nephrotoxicity with deoxycholate Amphotericin B treatment among children 6 months-18 years old at the Philippine Children‘s Medical Center from 2006-2017 METHODS: This is a retrospective case-control study of 150 patients. Cases had decrease in eGFR by at least 25% and/or developed hypokalemia after at least one dose of Amphotericin. Those who did not develop nephrotoxicity were considered controls. Risk factors evaluated were age, sex, nutritional status, underlying medical condition, cumulative dose, concomitant use of nephrotoxic drugs used, treatment with diuretics and intravenous hydration. Results were analyzed using univariate and multivariate regression models. RESULTS: Using logistic regression, underlying malignancy had the highest odds ratio of 33.1 and nutritional status of z score=0 showed the lowest at 0.158. Duration of treatment >14 days had 1.75 times chance of developing nephrotoxicity while total cumulative dose >7.1 mg/kg had 1.5 times more chance of developing nephrotoxicity. Subjects given diuretics had 5.5 times more odds, while those not given concomitant nephrotoxic medications were 5.33% less likely to develop renal toxicity. CONCLUSION: Risk factors for nephrotoxicity were malignancy as an underlying medical condition, duration of amphotericin treatment of >14 days, cumulative dose >7.1 mg/kg and diuretic use. Normal nutritional status and no other concomitant nephrotoxic medication use had lesser odds of developing nephrotoxicity. RECOMMENDATIONS Clinicians should consider these risk factors, institute measures to monitor occurrence of nephrotoxicity and the need for alternative fungal therapy in these children. With identification of the population at risk, prospective research on determining the specific onset of renal effects and possible intervention is recommended.
Amphotericin B

BACKGROUND: Lupus nephritis is very common complications in SLE, with clinical symptoms of renal involvement occurring in 30%-70% of patients. Outcomes in children with proliferative lupus nephritis (PLN) show 9-15% progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) at 5 years.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the outcome of children and adolescent patients with lupus nephritis treated with 9 month versus 6 month induction of cyclophosphamide therapy. Renal frequency and adverse effects of IV cyclophosphamide during and after induction therapy were described and determined.

DESIGN: Retrospective Cohort Study

SETTING: Tertiary Hospital

METHODS: Retrospective cohort study comparing 6 and 9 month protocol of IV cyclophosphamide for lupus nephritis were conducted in a government tertiary pediatric hospital in the Philippines. A total of 39 patients with lupus nephritis were gathered, 23 patients underwent 6 months and 16 patients underwent 9 months protocol.

RESULTS: The comparison of two protocols in the administration of intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVCY) did not show significant difference between the two in terms of changes in GFR levels, but some evidence of a greater percent increase from baseline with the 6 months protocol post treatment were observed. Among 39 subjects, creatinine, albumin and urinalysis profile did not also differ between the two groups and levels within each group changed insignificantly over time up to 24 months. Proportion of subjects with renal flare ups, adverse effects and who expired during the study period were also essentially similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSION: IV Cyclophosphamide seems efficacious if given at the very beginning of the flare and at the start after patient was diagnosed with lupus nephritis. No statistically difference between the duration of the protocol. Renal flare ups and adverse effects of cyclophosphamide such as nausea, vomiting and headache were observed similarly between two protocols. Diligent follow up is needed for further studies and specificity of the results.

Human ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Cyclophosphamide ; Lupus Nephritis ; Pediatrics ; Induction Chemotherapy ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic

Preface The Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for the Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Community-Acquired Pneumonia (PCAP) was initiated by the Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists, Inc. (PAPP) and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP), in cooperation with Philippine Pediatric Society, Inc. (PPS) way back in 2004. Several CPG updates were then undertaken by the PAPP PCAP CPG Task Force from 2008 to 2016. Clinically-relevant research questions were answered with recent and current recommendations based on evidence from local and international data. The 2021 PCAP CPG initiative was envisioned in March 2018 upon the recommendations of the 2018 PAPP Board for the purpose of updating the evidence in the PCAP CPG 2016 clinical questions. This led to the collaboration of PAPP and PIDSP to develop this CPG. Individual members were identified from each society as content experts to form the Steering Committee along with a clinical epidemiologist and technical writer as review experts. The committee identified the scope and target end user of the CPG as well as additional clinical questions to be included in the 2021 update aside from the questions on the previous CPGs. Selected members from the two societies formed the Technical Working Group (TWG) who did the literature search, appraisal of evidences, and formulation of recommendations. These recommendations were then presented to the stakeholders who became part of the consensus panel. There was no identified conflict of interest among the CPG developers, TWG members and stakeholders. A survey to determine potential competing interests were conducted during the development of this CPG. This initiative was fully funded by the PAPP and PIDSP societies. The 2021 PCAP CPG significantly differs from the previous CPGs in several aspects. First, the current guideline is a consensus between two pediatric societies. Second, much of the literature review has been centered on meta-analyses or systematic reviews instead of individual studies. Finally, appraisal of published literature was based on Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. Such methodological differences may provide difficulties in defining evolution of care through the years. As identified in the previous CPG updates, there is lack of local data hence most of the evidences gathered came from international studies. The applicability of such data to the local setting needs to be critically assessed for its value and relevance. Corollary to this, several gaps in knowledge are identified and these may serve as a guide for future research.

Initial Planning: Statement 1: A Community-oriented Health Care Plan that contains tasks and activities related to the community organization, environment, health care and social processes in order to mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 epidemic on the community should be developed. Statement 2: The plan should also include adjustments needed to continue the delivery of other health services i.e. maternal and child health, immunization, treatment of other communicable and non-communicable disease but with strict COVID-19 transmission precautions. Adjustment in the Community Organization and Environment: Statement 3: A local task force should be organized to develop and implement the community health plan. The task force should be recognized and supported by the whole community. Statement 4: A facility in the barangay that can be used for isolation in case that a member will be diagnosed to have mild COVID-19. A hospital facility for referral of high-risk cases should also be identified and an emergency referral and transport plan should be established. Statement 5: All community health workers should wear appropriate personal protective equipment in the process of performing their community health work. Statement 6: Households in the community who have members at high-risk i.e. more than 60 years old, with existing chronic illness or other life-threatening condition should be identified and advised to take extra precautions i.e. personal hygiene, wearing mask and physical distancing. Statement 7: During the declared community quarantine period by the community or higher-level authority, all community members and household should be advised to stay at home, limit celebrations and community gatherings Performance of Routine Tasks and Activities: Statement 8: A community-directed information, education and communication (IEC) plan should be developed and implemented for the following: a) Informing every household in the community on the basic and accurate information about COVID-19 and the community plan. b) Encouraging everyone to practice personal hygiene that includes regular and appropriate hand washing, daily bath, coughing and sneezing etiquette, wearing of mask, minimizing hand contact with eyes, nose and mouth and strict personal use of eating utensils, bath towels, etc. c) Encouraging everyone to clean everyday frequently touched surface like doorknobs, light and appliance control switch, gadgets, armchairs and tabletops. Cleaning agents can be ordinary detergents and water or 70% alcohol. d) Encouraging everyone to report and seek help to the community health worker if a household member is exposed and developed mild symptoms of COVID-19 What to Do When a Member or Household is Exposed or Diagnosed COVID-19: Statement 9: If there is a household whose member is exposed to a COVID-19, the person should be encouraged to stay home preferably in a room or area adequate for isolation, wear mask and maintain at least 2 meters physical distance from other family members. Statement 10: Other household members should be advised to watch out and monitor for the appearance of symptoms like fever, colds and cough. If the person is low risk but there is difficulty of breathing or worsening of symptoms or if the person is high risk i.e. elderly or with existing chronic disease and symptoms appear, they encouraged to inform the community health worker and facilitate the necessary referral and transport arrangement to the hospital. Call first before going. Statement 11: If the symptoms are mild, continue home isolation or in the isolation facility identified by the community, take over-thecounter medications like paracetamol for fever, increase water intake and ensure adequate nutrition, sleep and rest. Family members and community health workers are encouraged to provide psychological and social support to isolated patients. Discontinuation of isolation can be done if symptoms resolve within 14-21 days Epidemiology and Surveillance Statement 12: The municipal or city health office should be provided daily with a situation report of the implementation of communityoriented health care for COVID-19. Situation report should include: a) The number of exposed, number of diagnosed cases, number of mild cases, number of cases referred to the hospital and number of cases recovered or died in the community. b) Brief description of best practices
COVID-19 ; Noncommunicable Diseases ; Quarantine