Bidimensional shear wave spleen elastography for diagnosis and grading of esophageal varices in children with portal hypertension.

Background: Portal hypertension in children can result from a wide range of liver diseases, both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic. Non-invasive diagnosis of esophageal varices, a potentially life-threatening complication, is of utmost importance in these patients.

Objective: To assess the agreement between spleen stiffness by bidimensional shear wave elastography (2D SWE) and endoscopic findings (presence and grading of esophageal varices) in pediatric patients with portal hypertension.

Second epidemiological study of pediatric sepsis and septic shock in Argentina (ESSPED-2).

ntroduction. Sepsis is one of the leading causes of pediatric mortality in Argentina. The aim was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of sepsis and septic shock (ESSPED-2 study) in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in Argentina and compare them with previous data from the Epidemiological Study of Severe Pediatric Sepsis (ESSPED).

Effectiveness and safety of dual therapy with co-packaged dolutegravir and lamivudine compared to triple therapy as switching strategy in clinical practice.

Introduction: Dolutegravir plus lamivudine (DTG/3TC) dual therapy has demonstrated efficacy in HIV treatment, but access remains challenging in Latin America. Argentina approved a generic co-packaged DTG+3TC presentation to improve accessibility. This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of co-packed DTG/3TC compared to DTG-based triple therapy in clinical practice.

Syphilis in a blood bank in Argentina: Prevalence trends and risk factors.

Background: Worldwide, there has been a worrying increase in the prevalence of syphilis. Blood banks have a major role in monitoring the trend of these events, despite the bias due to the altruistic donation strategy.

Objectives: To determine the seroprevalence of syphilis and analyse its association with defined risk factors among blood donors at the regional blood center at Hospital Prof.

Carbapenem-Resistant Bacteremia in Pediatric Patients in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Data on the health impact of carbapenem-resistant bloodstream infections (CRE-BSIs) in pediatric populations from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are limited. This systematic review aims to examine the demographic, clinical, and microbiological aspects and resource utilization of this infection in children from this region. This systematic review investigates the impact of CRE-BSIs in pediatric populations across LAC.

Pediatric COVID-19 in Argentina: a comprehensive analysis of disease and economic burden through official data and a systematic literature review.

Background: Limited data are available on the clinical impact and economic burden of COVID-19 in the pediatric population in Argentina. We aimed to estimate the disease and economic burden of COVID-19 on children and adolescents.

Methods: We analyzed official national databases and conducted a supplemental systematic review of the published literature with meta-analysis in children aged 0-18.

Results of training with a low-cost simulation model for endoscope-assisted scaphocephaly repair.

Objective: Endoscope-assisted repair of sagittal craniosynostosis is an effective technique that requires a learning curve. Surgical simulation models can be applied to acquire the necessary skills for this procedure. Several models with a wide range of costs have been described for training in this technique.

Ultrasound attenuation imaging: a reproducible alternative for the noninvasive quantitative assessment of hepatic steatosis in children.

Background: Pediatric hepatic steatosis is a global public health concern, as an increasing number of children are affected by this condition. Liver biopsy is the gold standard diagnostic method; however, this procedure is invasive. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived proton density fat fraction has been accepted as an alternative to biopsy.

Carbapenem-resistant bloodstream infections: A case-control study from a pediatric referral hospital in Argentina.

Background: Antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bloodstream infections (BSI) remain a leading cause morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients with a high impact on the public health system. Data in resource-limited countries, including those in Latin America and the Caribbean region, are scarce. The aim of the study was to identify risk factors for acquiring carbapenem-resistant (CRE) bacteremia in children and to assess the use of resources.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Temporally Related to COVID-19 in Children From Latin America and the Caribbean Region: A Systematic Review With a Meta-Analysis of Data From Regional Surveillance Systems.

Background: With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing numbers of cases of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) have been reported worldwide; however, it is unclear whether this syndrome has a differential pattern in children from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, and outcome characteristics of patients with MIS-C in LAC countries.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the main electronic databases and scientific meetings from March 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021.