The use of urinary biomarkers as prognostic tools: predicting kidney outcomes in pediatric acute kidney injury.

Background: There is limited data on applying urinary biomarkers for prediction of kidney outcomes in pediatric acute kidney injury (AKI).

Methods: We prospectively measured urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), tissue metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP-7) and C-C motif chemokine ligand 14 (CCL14), alongside serum kidney function test in critically ill children with AKI admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. The primary outcomes included persistent AKI (lasting for ≥ 72 h) and prolonged AKI (lasting for ≥ 7 days).

Exploring the efficacy and safety of Yu-Ping-Feng powder with variation against allergic rhinitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common allergic condition characterized by frequent sneezing, nasal congestion, nasal itching and rhinorrhea. Chinese medicine formula Yu-Ping-Feng Powder with Variation (YPV) is an empirical formula modified from an ancient Chinese medicine formula named Yu-Ping-Feng Powder, which is widely used for the treatment of allergic diseases such as AR and asthma.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of YPV on AR patients with the lung and spleen Qi deficiency type using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (RCT).

The pattern of cytokine profile in children received extracorporeal blood purification.

We reported the cytokine profile in children <18 years old who received extracorporeal blood purification (EBP) for sepsis, rhabdomyolysis, hyperbilirubinaemia, acute respiratory distress syndrome or cytokine storm, and determined the factors affecting the cytokine removal kinetics. Plasma levels of 38 types of cytokine/chemokine were measured at pre-EBP, 12 and 24 h after initiating EBP. Altogether there were 11 eligible episodes admitted between April 2021 and December 2023.

Multi-cohort analysis identifying core ocular surface microbiome and bacterial alterations in eye diseases.

Purpose: Inconsistency exists among reported studies on the composition of human ocular surface microbiome (OSM). The roles of OSM in ocular diseases remain uncertain. In this study, we aimed to determine the composition of OSM and to evaluate its potential roles and functions from multiple cohorts.

The Use of Single Pass Albumin Dialysis and Hemoadsorption in Management of Life-Threatening Amlodipine Overdose.

We report the successful application of single pass albumin dialysis (SPAD) and hemoadsorption (HA) in two teenagers with amlodipine poisoning. A 16-year-old girl with amlodipine overdose developed refractory shock and lactic acidosis despite multiple inotropes, calcium, insulin, and glucagon infusion. SPAD was initiated 18 h after the incident for 21 h.

Respiratory Viral Infection Patterns in Hospitalised Children Before and After COVID-19 in Hong Kong.

Unlabelled: The study highlights the significant changes in respiratory virus epidemiology following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.

Method: In this single-centre retrospective study, the virological readouts of adenovirus (AdV), influenza virus A (IAV), influenza virus B (IBV), parainfluenza viruses (PIV) 1, 2, 3, 4, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and coupled enterovirus and rhinovirus (EV/RV) were extracted from the respiratory specimens of paediatric patients in Hong Kong from January 2015 to February 2024. The subjects were stratified into five age groups.

Acute Kidney Injury in Relation to Nephrotoxic Medication Use Among Critically Ill Children in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Critically ill children are vulnerable to acute kidney injury (AKI) and are often exposed to nephrotoxic medications. We aimed to investigate the association between nephrotoxic medications and the risk of AKI in critically ill children admitted to our paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Patients aged > 1 month to ≤18 years old were prospectively recruited from 6/2020 to 6/2021.

"Non-COVID-19" Coronavirus Diseases Not to be Misdiagnosed as COVID-19.

Background: The COVID-19 global pandemic was caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which then became an endemic infection. COVID refers to the World Health Organization's coined acronym for coronavirus disease.

Case Presentation: We have, herein, reported three cases of coronavirus diseases that could have been misdiagnosed as COVID-19.

Polymorphic markers of several immune regulatory genes modulate the susceptibility for eczema and related phenotypes in children.

Background: Eczema is associated with multiple genes regulating epidermal barrier functions and immunological pathways. However, their epistatic interactions are not well studied. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between childhood eczema phenotypes and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of immune regulatory genes.

An update on the current and emerging pharmacotherapy for the treatment of human ascariasis.

Introduction: Globally, Ascaris lumbricoides is the commonest helminthic infection that affects people in underdeveloped countries and returning immigrants in industrialized nations. This article aims to provide latest updates on the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and pharmacotherapy of ascariasis.

Areas Covered: A PubMed search was conducted using Clinical Queries and the key terms 'human ascariasis' OR 'Ascaris lumbricoides.

Pinworm (Enterobius Vermicularis) Infestation: An Updated Review.

Background: Pinworm infestation is an important public health problem worldwide, especially among children 5 to 10 years of age in developing countries with temperate climates. The problem is often overlooked because of its mild or asymptomatic clinical manifestations.

Objective: The purpose of this article was to familiarize pediatricians with the diagnosis and management of pinworm infestation.

Pattern and prognostic factors for kidney function progression in survivors of children with acute kidney injury: a cohort study.

Objective: To examine the pattern of kidney function progression after acute kidney injury (AKI) and identify the associated risk factors.

Design: A prospective cohort study was conducted from June 2020 to June 2021 on children aged 1 month to <18 years admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Acute kidney disease (AKD) was defined as AKI persisting from 7 to 90 days after diagnosis.

The impact of tubular dysfunction and its relationship with acute kidney injury in children.

Background: Tubular dysfunction can cause electrolyte disturbances with potentially serious consequences. We studied the epidemiology and outcomes of electrolyte disturbances and tubular dysfunction among critically ill children and evaluated their relationships with acute kidney injury (AKI).

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study recruiting children aged 1 month to ≤ 18 years old admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) from 6/2020 to 6/2021.

Invasive Fungal Infections in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Hong Kong Study.

Introduction: Invasive fungal infections (IFI) cause significant mortality and morbidity in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Early recognition and prompt treatment of invasive fungal infections are important. This article reviewed the mortality and morbidity of IFIs in the PICU of Hong Kong Children's Hospital.

Iron Deficiency Anemia: An Updated Review.

Background: Worldwide, iron deficiency anemia is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency disorder and the leading cause of anemia in children, especially in developing countries. When present in early childhood, especially if severe and prolonged, iron deficiency anemia can result in neurodevelopmental and cognitive deficits, which may not always be fully reversible even following the correction of iron deficiency anemia.

Objective: This article aimed to familiarize physicians with the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, evaluation, prevention, and management of children with iron deficiency anemia.

Tinea pedis: an updated review.

Background: Tinea pedis is one of the most common superficial fungal infections of the skin, with various clinical manifestations. This review aims to familiarize physicians with the clinical features, diagnosis and management of tinea pedis.

Methods: A search was conducted in April 2023 in PubMed Clinical Queries using the key terms 'tinea pedis' OR 'athlete's foot'.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Pediatric Practice.

Background: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is prevalent among pediatric population, adolescent and young adults. Patients with ACD experience a lot of sociopsychological and qualityof- life (QoL) difficulties. Children and their caregivers alike are vulnerable to the burden of ACD.

Erythema Infectiosum: A Narrative Review.

Background: Erythema infectiosum occurs worldwide. School-aged children are most often affected. Since the diagnosis is mainly clinical, physicians should be well-versed in the clinical manifestations of erythema infectiosum to avoid misdiagnosis, unnecessary investigations, and mismanagement of the disease.

Risk factors for development of acute kidney injury and acute kidney disease in critically ill children.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common among critically ill children and these children are at risk of developing acute kidney disease (AKD).

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on children aged > 1 month to ≤ 18 years old admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) of Hong Kong Children's Hospital from 6/2020 to 6/2021. The incidences and risk factors of both AKI and AKD were determined.

The application of hemoadsorption for hyperbilirubinemia and its impact on bilirubin removal kinetics in critically ill children.

Extracorporeal blood purification (EBP) is increasingly applied for bilirubin removal in critical care setting. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical features of children aged 1 month to 18 years old who received EBP for hyperbilirubinemia and explored the bilirubin removal kinetics by hemoadsorption (HA) in the pediatric intensive care unit of Hong Kong Children's Hospital from 3/2019 to 7/2022. Among the 14 episodes of EBP from six patients with a median age (interquartile range [IQR]) of 9.