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Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of azithromycin as a first-line therapy and the combination of meropenem and azithromycin as the second-line therapy in treating pediatric patients with extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Salmonella Typhi in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Pediatrics, Abbottabad International Medical Complex, Pakistan from May 2022 to January 2024. Children aged 1-15 years clinically diagnosed with typhoid fever were enrolled if subsequent blood cultures confirmed XDR Salmonella Typhi infection. Initial treatment comprised azithromycin. If there was no response to azithromycin, patients received a combination therapy of meropenem alongside continued azithromycin. Primary outcomes were clinical recovery, recurrence within 30 days post-treatment, and treatment-related adverse effects. Results: Of total 67 pediatric patients, the mean age of the patients was 10.02 ±2.76 years. The overall mean duration of defervescence was 6.01 ±2.98 days. Initially, all patients were treated with azithromycin alone. Most patients recovered clinically 57 (85.1%). For the 10 (14.9%) who did not respond, meropenem was added to azithromycin, resulting in recovery for all. The mean duration of defervescence found significantly low in patients who received azithromycin monotherapy as compared to patients who received combination therapy i.e., 4.80 ±0.58 days vs. 12.90 ±1.10 days (p-value <0.001). Mild nausea was the only adverse event observed in 29 patients (43.3%) during treatment. Conclusion: Azithromycin monotherapy demonstrated a high clinical recovery rate, with a significant reduction in fever duration compared to combination therapy with meropenem. Mild nausea was the only treatmentrelated adverse effect observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Meningococcaemia is a serious bacterial disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis resulting in septicaemia and meningitis in previously well individuals and is associated with serious consequences including mortality. As the data from our region is scarce, the study was conducted with an aim to highlight the disease manifestations and outcomes so that appropriate interventions are devised. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted in Paediatrics A Unit from 1st March 2020 to 30th September 2021 after approval of institutional review board. Children admitted with features of meningococcaemia in the form of fever and typical petechial purpuric rash were included in the study. Results: A total of 46 patients with meningococcaemia were included in the study. Of these, 24 (52.2%) were male. Majority of the patients 22 (47.8%) were in the age group of 1 year to five years, Major complications were meningitis in 39 (84.8%), septic shock in 26 (56.5%) and purpura fulminans in 12 (26.1%) patients. Mortality was documented in 6 (13%) patients. Outcome was associated with age. (p= 0.039). There was a significant difference in outcome in patients with prolonged PT/APTT (p=0.031), purpura fulminans (p=0.000) and septic shock (p=0.021). Conclusion: Meningococcaemia is prevalent in our region in paediatric population. The disease has a fulminant course with a myriad of complications and potentially fatal outcomes especially in children under one year of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rapunzel syndrome is the rarest form of trichobezoar; a condition in which trichobezoar extends beyond the stomach into the small intestine. It is common among children and young girls with a history of psychiatric illnesses. Case Presentation: A 10-year-old girl without any history of psychiatric illness, presented with abdominal pain and nonbilious vomiting for 6 months. Clinically she had a non-tender upper abdominal mass which, later at workup, was found to be a trichobezoar. She was surgically managed successfully. Conclusion: Though uncommon, Rapunzel syndrome should be kept in the differential diagnoses especially in a young female patient with features of an upper GI obstruction and a non-tender, palpable epigastric mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]