1. Neurobrucellosis in children
Mohamed Ata HENDAUS ; Rasha Muneer QAQISH ; Ahmed Hassan ALHAMMADI
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2015;5(2):158-161
Neurobrucellosis is a complication of brucellosis, which is considered endemic in the Indian subcontinent, Arabian Peninsula and Mediterranean countries. Brucella reaches the central nervous system via hematogenous spread in the infected human being, or through phagocytosis. Neurobrucellosis can present with any neurological symptoms, hence, the index of suspicion must be high enough to make proper diagnosis. Cerebrospinal fluid studies are usually diagnostic, while imagings including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are of little assistance. As for therapy, a combination of antibiotics must be administered with a goal to reduce relapse or avoid failure. The duration of treatment should be tailored as per clinical signs and symptoms until the cerebrospinal fluid components return to normal, which might be up to six months. In this article, we present an overall view of current understanding of neurobrucellosis in children, its epidemiology, clinical features, diagnostic tests, and management options.
2. Does cesarean section pose a risk of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in infants and children?
Mohamed A. HENDAUS ; Ahmed H. ALHAMMADI ; Mohamed S. KHALIFA ; Eshan MUNEER ; Ahmed H. ALHAMMADI
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 2014;7(S1):S134-S136
Objective: To determine the risk of acquiring acute respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis in infants and children delivered by the mode of cesarean section (C-section). Methods: A retrospective and descriptive study was conducted at Hamad Medical Corporation. Patients with ages 0 to 36 months hospitalized with acute bronchiolitis were included in the study. Results: The risk of RSV bronchiolitis was observed to be higher among C-section delivery compared to normal spontaneous vaginal delivery [odds ratio=1.10; 95% confidence interval (0.57, 1.80); P=0.965]; however, it was not statistically significant. Gestational age ≤35 weeks was significantly associated with increased risk of RSV bronchiolitis compared to gestational age >35 weeks [odds ratio=3.12; 95% confidence interval (1.53, 6.38); P=0.002]. Conclusions: Delivery by C-section does not appear to increase the risk of RSV bronchiolitis in infants compared with normal spontaneous vaginal delivery.