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Objective: To study the cardiac outcomes of patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) after 6-month of diagnosis. Methods: This review of hospital records was conducted on MIS-C patients (aged <21 years) who completed a six-month follow-up. The baseline demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment characteristics during the acute phase, and echocardiographic findings during follow-up were collected. Results: 116 patients (61.2% male, median age 7 years) with MIS-C were included in the study. At the time of admission, cardiac abnormalities were present in 70.7% of MIS-C patients, and the most common cardiac abnormalities were valve failure (50.9%), followed by ventricular dysfunction (39.7%), and pericardial effusion (23.3%). Six month after diagnosis, cardiac abnormalities were found in 10.3% of patients, and patients had lower rates of ventricular dysfunction (P<0.001), valve failure (P<0.001), pericardial effusion (P<0.001), and coronary involvement (P<0.001) as compared to the baseline. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and steroid treatment significantly reduced the odds of occurrence of ventricular dysfunction (P=0.002), valve failure (P=0.004), and low ejection fraction (P=0.002) in comparison to IVIG treatment alone. Conclusion: While most MIS-C patients had abnormal echocardiographic findings at admission, only 10.3% of patients had cardiac abnormalities during follow up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the clinical features, course, and outcomes of Iranian children with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), juvenile polymyositis (JPM), and other uncommon connective tissue disorders. A chart review of 85 Iranian children with JDM and JPM was performed during a 10-year period from 2003 to 2013. The patients' clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory data, and other factors affecting clinical outcomes were recorded using questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 20. In all, 40 boys and 45 girls were included in the study ( F/ M, 1.1:1). Disease frequency was significantly higher in boys aged <5 years ( F/ M, 0.4:1) and girls aged >5 years ( F/ M, 1.6:1). The combined mean age at diagnosis was 7.5 years. Muscle weakness, particularly in the proximal muscles of lower extremities (96 %); fatigue (83 %); and heliotrope rash (71 %) were the most frequently recorded symptoms. Elevated lactate dehydrogenase level was the most common enzyme disturbance (98 %). Monocyclic course was seen in 60 % of patients. The mean treatment duration was 3 years. The incidence rate of complications such as calcinosis, lipodystrophy, and growth disturbances was 20, 9, and 30 %, respectively. The occurrence of these complications in patients with monocyclic disease was significantly lower. Vital organ involvement led to the death of four patients. The incidence of calcinosis was significantly lower in patients having a shorter interval between disease onset and treatment. Two important complications, failure to thrive and lipodystrophy, were significantly higher in patients having antinuclear antibodies. The incidence of the above three complications was higher in patients with polycyclic or continuous chronic disease. Respiratory failure was the most common cause of patient mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Preterm delivery is one of the important causes of morbidity and mortality in newborns. Nowadays, a new sonographic marker is suggested for prediction of preterm delivery which is termed 'Cervical Gland Area' (CGA). Absence of normal mucosal glands of the cervix can be utilized as a predictor in preterm delivery. This study was performed to evaluate the role of absence of CGA for the prediction of preterm delivery <37 weeks. Methods: Trans-vaginal ultrasonography was performed on 600 pregnant women at 16-19 weeks of gestational age. Cervical gland area and cervical length were evaluated. Women with cervical length <25 mm were conducted to cerclage and excluded from the study. Age, number of pregnancies and history of previous preterm deliveries were recorded in questionnaires. The date of delivery was recorded. Statistical analysis was performed by version 18 SPSS and P value <0.05 was significant. Results: Spontaneous preterm delivery was seen in 6.7% of all women. There was no significant difference in age, cervical length, the number of pregnancies and history of previous preterm deliveries between term pregnancies and preterm cases. CGA was detected in 77.1% of term pregnancies comparing with 55% in preterm group; which was significantly different ( P value = 0.002). Conclusions: Non detection of CGA at second trimester ultrasonography is a predictor of preterm delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]