Median arcuate ligament compression syndrome (MALS) presents with atypical clinical manifestations. MALS is rarely reported in pediatric patients but is recognized as an independent risk factor for postoperative hepatic artery thrombosis in liver transplant recipients. We report a case of a pediatric liver transplant recipient with hepatolenticular degeneration, cirrhosis, and acute liver failure. Despite undergoing artificial liver support therapy, the patient showed no significant improvement in liver function and subsequently underwent liver transplantation. Intraoperatively, weak arterial pulsation and the absence of a pulsatile waveform in the hepatic artery anastomosis raised suspicion of MALS. The condition was successfully managed by releasing and transecting the median arcuate ligament, along with ligation of the splenic and left gastric arteries. To optimize transplantation outcomes, meticulous preoperative imaging assessment, particularly focusing on characteristic findings in CT angiography, is essential. Additionally, individualized surgical planning and intraoperative adjustments based on ultrasound monitoring and arterial pulsation assessments are critical for ensuring successful transplantation.

Hypertrophic scar is common after burns, car accidents or severe trauma, and its treatment has been a major problem for burn plastic surgeons. Children are more prone to scar proliferation and contracture due to their developmental characteristics, thin skin, mobility, and poor compliance with treatment, etc. The accompanying cosmetic defects and limb dysfunction caused by contracture deformity often bring a series of psychosocial problems to the affected children. In recent years, the combination of fractional laser and glucocorticoid treatment for hyperplastic scarring has received much clinical attention. The purpose of this review is to summarize the progress of research on fractional laser combined with glucocorticoid treatment for hypertrophic scar in children in the past 5 years, to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this treatment method, and to explore the rational application of this therapy, in order to provide more scientific guidance and suggestions for the treatment of hypertrophic scar in children.

Objective To compare the efficacy and adverse reactions of doxycycline and levofloxacin in children with macrolide non-responsive mycoplasma pneumonia(MUMPP).Methods Clinical data of 240 MUMPP children admitted to our hospital from November 2023 to July 2024 were retrospectively analyzed,and they were divided into doxycycline group and levofloxacin group according to drug use,with 120 cases in each group.The efficacy of the two groups were compared,the time when body temperature dropped to nor-mal after taking antipyretics,the time when cough was reduced,the time when lung riles were resolved,the length of hospital stay,the peripheral blood indicators[WBC,neutrophilic granulocyte percentage,C reactive protein(CRP),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),D-dimer],the lung imaging recovery and the occurrence of ad-verse reactions.Results There was no significant difference in total effective rate between doxycycline group and levofloxacin group(93.33％vs.90.00％,P＜0.05).Compared with levofloxacin group,the duration of hospital stay in doxycycline group was shorter[(6.22±2.24)d vs.(7.39±2.47)d],and the duration of lung crackles disappeared longer[(4.47±2.06)d vs.(3.50±1.79)d],with statistical significance(P＜0.05).Af-ter treatment,the neutrophil percentage,CRP and LDH levels in the two groups were lower than before treat-ment,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between doxycycline group and levofloxacin group(15.83％vs.15.00％,P＞0.05).Conclusion Both doxycycline and levofloxacin have good efficacy in MUMPP children,with low inci-dence of adverse reactions and no serious adverse reactions.

Objective:To investigate the disease burden, clinical characteristics and independent risk factors affecting in-hospital outcomes of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) combined with heart failure (HF) in China.Methods:(1) Descriptive study: based on the global burden of disease study 2021, available data on children under 15 years of age with CHD and HF in China from 1990 to 2021 were collected. The prevalence and trends in different age subgroups (<1 year, 1-<2 years, 2-<5 years, 5-<10 years, 10-<15 years) were analyzed, and the annual percentage change (EAPC) was estimated using linear regression. (2) Retrospective cohort study: a total of 1 062 children with CHD and HF from a multicenter study on pediatric HF in China were included. The children were divided into two groups:<2 years group and 2-<18 years group. Data on demographics, clinical features, diagnosis, treatments, and in-hospital outcomes were analyzed. Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test were used for group comparisons.Multivariable Logistic regression was applied to identify factors influencing outcomes (in-hospital mortality and adverse cardiovascular events). Results:(1) From 1990 to 2021, the number of children with CHD and HF in China increased from 333 000 (95% uncertainty interval ( UI) 271 000-405 000) to 368 000 (95% UI 296 000-459 000), a growth of 10.8% (95% UI 5.0%-16.6%). Concurrently the prevalence rate increased from 104.5 (95% UI 85.1-127.3) per 100 000 to 142.0 (95% UI 114.0-176.8) per 100 000, a growth of 35.9% (95% UI 28.7%-43.0%), with an EAPC of 1.5% (95% CI 1.2%-1.8%). Although the number of cases in the<1 year and 1-<2 years groups decreased by 41.0% and 25.6%, respectively, the prevalence in all age groups showed an upward trend:<1 year EAPC 0.6% (95% CI 0.5%-0.7%); 1-<2 years EAPC 0.9% (95% CI 0.8%-1.0%); 2-<5 years EAPC 1.2% (95% CI 1.0%-1.4%); 5-<10 years EAPC 1.5% (95% CI 1.2%-1.8%); 10-<15 years EAPC 2.1% (95% CI 1.9%-2.3%). (2) The multicenter study revealed that among 1 062 hospitalized children, 528 (49.7%) were male and 534 (50.3%) were female, with the age at admission of 5.4 (2.2,18.2) months. The majority of the children (77.9%, 827/1 062) were under 2 years of age, whereas 22.1% (235/1 062) were aged between 2-<18 years. Children with complex congenital heart defects accounted for the highest proportion (48.6%, 516/1 062), while those with isolated CHD made up 31.5% (335/1 062). Statistically significant differences were observed in several variables in demographics, clinical features, diagnosis, treatments, and outcomes between the two age groups (all P<0.05). The use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (41.1%, 436/1 062) and beta-blockers (8.7%, 92/1 062) was lower in hospitalized children with CHD and HF. Logistic regression identified complex CHD ( OR=7.73, 95% CI 2.24-26.63; OR=3.17, 95% CI 1.92-5.23), pulmonary hyperperfusion ( OR=2.15, 95% CI 1.01-4.18; OR=2.00, 95% CI 1.35-2.97), left ventricular ejection fraction<55% ( OR=2.13, 95% CI 1.08-4.21; OR=2.80, 95% CI 1.45-5.56), arterial oxygen partial pressure ( OR=0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99; OR=0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99), and serum calcium levels ( OR=0.31, 95% CI 0.17-0.58; OR=0.42, 95% CI 0.28-0.62) as independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality and cardiovascular events. Conclusions:The disease burden of CHD combined with HF in China has shown a continuous upward trend from 1990 to 2021, with higher growth rates in older age groups. Complex CHD, pulmonary hyperperfusion, left ventricular ejection fraction <55%, arterial oxygen partial pressure, and serum calcium concentration are independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality and cardiovascular events.

The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation released 2025 guidelines for the management of heart failure in children, which is an update of the 2014 edition.The new guidelines deeply integrate major advancements in the field of adult heart failure (such as the application of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors and sodium-dependent glucose transporters 2 inhibitor) with the uniqueness and complexity of pediatric heart failure.They propose more refined heart failure staging, classification, diagnostic evaluation processes, and treatment strategies while systematically emphasizing, for the first time, the importance of complication management and palliative care.This article aims to provide an in-depth interpretation of the core updates and highlights of 2025 guidelines and offer insights and recommendations for clinical practice, research directions, and the revision of guidelines/consensus in the field of pediatric heart failure in China based on China′s national conditions.

Hypertrophic scar is common after burns, car accidents or severe trauma, and its treatment has been a major problem for burn plastic surgeons. Children are more prone to scar proliferation and contracture due to their developmental characteristics, thin skin, mobility, and poor compliance with treatment, etc. The accompanying cosmetic defects and limb dysfunction caused by contracture deformity often bring a series of psychosocial problems to the affected children. In recent years, the combination of fractional laser and glucocorticoid treatment for hyperplastic scarring has received much clinical attention. The purpose of this review is to summarize the progress of research on fractional laser combined with glucocorticoid treatment for hypertrophic scar in children in the past 5 years, to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this treatment method, and to explore the rational application of this therapy, in order to provide more scientific guidance and suggestions for the treatment of hypertrophic scar in children.

The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation released 2025 guidelines for the management of heart failure in children, which is an update of the 2014 edition.The new guidelines deeply integrate major advancements in the field of adult heart failure (such as the application of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors and sodium-dependent glucose transporters 2 inhibitor) with the uniqueness and complexity of pediatric heart failure.They propose more refined heart failure staging, classification, diagnostic evaluation processes, and treatment strategies while systematically emphasizing, for the first time, the importance of complication management and palliative care.This article aims to provide an in-depth interpretation of the core updates and highlights of 2025 guidelines and offer insights and recommendations for clinical practice, research directions, and the revision of guidelines/consensus in the field of pediatric heart failure in China based on China′s national conditions.

Objective:To investigate the disease burden, clinical characteristics and independent risk factors affecting in-hospital outcomes of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) combined with heart failure (HF) in China.Methods:(1) Descriptive study: based on the global burden of disease study 2021, available data on children under 15 years of age with CHD and HF in China from 1990 to 2021 were collected. The prevalence and trends in different age subgroups (<1 year, 1-<2 years, 2-<5 years, 5-<10 years, 10-<15 years) were analyzed, and the annual percentage change (EAPC) was estimated using linear regression. (2) Retrospective cohort study: a total of 1 062 children with CHD and HF from a multicenter study on pediatric HF in China were included. The children were divided into two groups:<2 years group and 2-<18 years group. Data on demographics, clinical features, diagnosis, treatments, and in-hospital outcomes were analyzed. Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test were used for group comparisons.Multivariable Logistic regression was applied to identify factors influencing outcomes (in-hospital mortality and adverse cardiovascular events). Results:(1) From 1990 to 2021, the number of children with CHD and HF in China increased from 333 000 (95% uncertainty interval ( UI) 271 000-405 000) to 368 000 (95% UI 296 000-459 000), a growth of 10.8% (95% UI 5.0%-16.6%). Concurrently the prevalence rate increased from 104.5 (95% UI 85.1-127.3) per 100 000 to 142.0 (95% UI 114.0-176.8) per 100 000, a growth of 35.9% (95% UI 28.7%-43.0%), with an EAPC of 1.5% (95% CI 1.2%-1.8%). Although the number of cases in the<1 year and 1-<2 years groups decreased by 41.0% and 25.6%, respectively, the prevalence in all age groups showed an upward trend:<1 year EAPC 0.6% (95% CI 0.5%-0.7%); 1-<2 years EAPC 0.9% (95% CI 0.8%-1.0%); 2-<5 years EAPC 1.2% (95% CI 1.0%-1.4%); 5-<10 years EAPC 1.5% (95% CI 1.2%-1.8%); 10-<15 years EAPC 2.1% (95% CI 1.9%-2.3%). (2) The multicenter study revealed that among 1 062 hospitalized children, 528 (49.7%) were male and 534 (50.3%) were female, with the age at admission of 5.4 (2.2,18.2) months. The majority of the children (77.9%, 827/1 062) were under 2 years of age, whereas 22.1% (235/1 062) were aged between 2-<18 years. Children with complex congenital heart defects accounted for the highest proportion (48.6%, 516/1 062), while those with isolated CHD made up 31.5% (335/1 062). Statistically significant differences were observed in several variables in demographics, clinical features, diagnosis, treatments, and outcomes between the two age groups (all P<0.05). The use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (41.1%, 436/1 062) and beta-blockers (8.7%, 92/1 062) was lower in hospitalized children with CHD and HF. Logistic regression identified complex CHD ( OR=7.73, 95% CI 2.24-26.63; OR=3.17, 95% CI 1.92-5.23), pulmonary hyperperfusion ( OR=2.15, 95% CI 1.01-4.18; OR=2.00, 95% CI 1.35-2.97), left ventricular ejection fraction<55% ( OR=2.13, 95% CI 1.08-4.21; OR=2.80, 95% CI 1.45-5.56), arterial oxygen partial pressure ( OR=0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99; OR=0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99), and serum calcium levels ( OR=0.31, 95% CI 0.17-0.58; OR=0.42, 95% CI 0.28-0.62) as independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality and cardiovascular events. Conclusions:The disease burden of CHD combined with HF in China has shown a continuous upward trend from 1990 to 2021, with higher growth rates in older age groups. Complex CHD, pulmonary hyperperfusion, left ventricular ejection fraction <55%, arterial oxygen partial pressure, and serum calcium concentration are independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality and cardiovascular events.

Median arcuate ligament compression syndrome (MALS) presents with atypical clinical manifestations. MALS is rarely reported in pediatric patients but is recognized as an independent risk factor for postoperative hepatic artery thrombosis in liver transplant recipients. We report a case of a pediatric liver transplant recipient with hepatolenticular degeneration, cirrhosis, and acute liver failure. Despite undergoing artificial liver support therapy, the patient showed no significant improvement in liver function and subsequently underwent liver transplantation. Intraoperatively, weak arterial pulsation and the absence of a pulsatile waveform in the hepatic artery anastomosis raised suspicion of MALS. The condition was successfully managed by releasing and transecting the median arcuate ligament, along with ligation of the splenic and left gastric arteries. To optimize transplantation outcomes, meticulous preoperative imaging assessment, particularly focusing on characteristic findings in CT angiography, is essential. Additionally, individualized surgical planning and intraoperative adjustments based on ultrasound monitoring and arterial pulsation assessments are critical for ensuring successful transplantation.

Objective:To analyze the efficacy and influencing factors of cyclosporine(CsA)alone in the treatment of children with acquired aplastic anemia(AA).Methods:The clinical data of children diagnosed with AA and treated with CsA alone from January 1,2016 to December 31,2020 in the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were collected,and the efficacy and influencing factors of CsA treatment were evaluated.Results:Among the 119 patients,there were 62 male and 57 female,with a median age of 7 years and 1 month.There were 45 cases of very severe AA(VSAA),47 cases of severe AA(SAA),and 27 cases of non-severe AA(NSAA).At 6 months after treatment,the efficacy of VSAA was lower than that of SAA and NSAA,and there was a statistical difference(P＜0.01).6 cases died early,16 cases relapsed,2 cases progressed to AML and ALL.The results of univariate analysis showed that the high proportion of lymphocyte in the bone marrow at 6 months was an adverse factor for the efficacy of CsA,while high PLT count was a protective factor(P=0.008,P=0.002).The ROC curve showed that the cut-off values of PLT count and the proportion of bone marrow lymphocyte at 6 months were 16.5 × 109/L,68.5％,respectively.Multivariate analysis showed that the high proportion of lymphocyte in bone marrow at 6 months was an independent adverse factor for IST(P=0.020,OR=0.062),and high PLT count was a protective factor(P=0.044,OR=1.038).At 3 months of treatment,CsA response and NSAA were the risk factor for recurrence(P=0.001,0.031).Conclusion:The efficacy of NSAA was higher than that of SAA and VSAA after 6 months of treatment with CsA alone.A high PLT count at the initial diagnosis was a good factor for the effectiveness of CsA,and a high proportion of bone marrow lymphocyte was an unfavorable factor.CsA response at 3 months and NSAA were risk factors for recurrence.