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Aim: This study aims to assess the prevalence of asthma triggers and control status among pediatric asthmatic patients in Saudi Arabia. Methods: From October 2015 to March 2016, an Arabic version of the Asthma Trigger Inventory questionnaire and asthma control test (ACT) were distributed to 200 parents of children diagnosed with asthma at the pulmonary clinic of King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 29. Descriptive statistics of the participants were presented in frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations for categorical variables. Results: The survey data revealed that the most prevalent asthma triggers among pediatric asthmatic children in Saudi Arabia were Arabic incense (Bakhour) with a mean score of 3.76 (±1.3), followed by being excited 3.70 (±1.5), and stress at home 3.58 (±1.4). Furthermore, the degree of asthma control among children with asthma in Saudi Arabia was 72.0% with a mean score of 17.7 (±4.7) for the ACT, indicating partial degree of asthma. Conclusions: Arabic incense (Bakhour) and psychological stimuli emerged as significant determinants of asthma triggers in Saudi Arabian children diagnosed with asthma. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the physiological mechanisms underpinning the response to Arabic incense (Bakhour). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in pediatric patients are a pressing public health concern, with limited data in the Saudi Arabian context. This study aimed to identify patterns, risk factors, and clinical outcomes associated with TBIs among pediatric patients visiting emergency rooms in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted, involving 1,030 pediatric patients admitted to emergency departments of King Fahad Hospital in Hofuf, Almoosa Hospital in Hofuf, King Fahad Hospital in Dammam, King Fahad Hospital in Madina, King Faisal Hospital in Alahsa, King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, and King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah. The age of the patients was predominantly within the range of 18–24 years, constituting 58.5% of the total sample. Data were collected through standardized questionnaires and analyzed using Chi-square tests and descriptive statistics. Results: Falls were the predominant cause of TBIs, accounting for 69.8% of cases. No significant correlation was found between age and TBI severity (P = 0.072). However, the cause of TBI significantly influenced clinical outcomes (P < 0.05). Conclusion: While age did not significantly impact the severity of TBIs, the cause of the injury played a critical role in clinical outcomes. These findings provide a foundation for targeted preventive measures and interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute mastoiditis, a complication of otitis media, poses significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment, particularly in pediatric populations. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the demographic characteristics, clinical features, and prognostic factors associated with acute mastoiditis in pediatric patients in Saudi Arabia. Analysis of a multicenter dataset was conducted to assess demographic variables, symptomatology, disease course, and predictors of acute mastoiditis in pediatric patients. Significant associations were found between demographic variables (age group, gender, nationality) and acute mastoiditis risk. Symptomatology analysis revealed consistent frequencies of otalgia across age groups and genders. Disease course analysis highlighted a mean duration from symptom onset to diagnosis of 14.11 days, with frequent complications like mastoid abscess and meningitis. Predictor identification identified symptoms (otalgia, fever, otorrhea), duration of illness, and complications as significant predictors of disease severity. These findings contribute valuable insights into the epidemiology and clinical management of acute mastoiditis, informing targeted interventions to improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) failure still remains a common clinical problem in pediatric patients despite advancements in catheter placement and dialysis techniques. Our aim was to determine the risk factors that may lead to PDC failure, especially those factors that could be potentially modified to minimize PDC failures. Patients and methods This study was designed as a retrospective chart review of 31 patients less than 12 years of age who had end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on whom a total of 54 operative PDC placements were carried out at the tertiary Children's Hospital, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 2007 to December 2010. The data included patient demographics and perioperative and operative variables. Results Fifty-four PDCs were inserted in 31 pediatric patients with ESRD, of whom 17 (55%) were boys and 14 (45%) were girls. Young age showed a statistically significant effect on PDC failure [1.8 (± 5) vs. 5 (± 7.8), P = 0.007], whereas weight did not (P = 0.085). Five types of PDCs were used, which showed significant association with PDC failure (P =0.009). Supraumbilical paramedian abdominal entry incisions were used in 49 (90.7%) patients without peritoneal leakage in any case. Nonsimultaneous omentectomy and upward PDC exit site orientation showed significant association with PDC failure (Pr0.001). The causes of PDC failure included idiopathic peritonitis in 13 (56.5%), PDC occlusion by omentum in five (21.7%), PDC malposition in four (17.4%) patients, and PDC leakage in one (4.4%) patient. Peritonitis showed a high statistical significance in PDC failure with P value of less than 0.001. The serum albumin level at the time of PDC insertion was not statistically significant in terms of PDC failure (P = 0.40) but had a high association with idiopathic peritonitis. Conclusion Our study provides some recommendations to minimize PDC failures that include improvement of patients' nutritional status, use of a swan-neck double-cuffed catheter, paramedian abdominal entry incision, simultaneous omentectomy, downward orientation of exit site, and use of an up-to-date technique by a dedicated team for proper use of PDC. However, prospective studies possibly on a multicentric basis are necessary to standardize the best PDC insertion and maintenance techniques to minimize PDC failures and improve the quality of life for children with ESRD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Prompt diagnosis and initiation of treatment are essential in preventing long-term renal scarring. However, increasing antibiotic resistance may delay the initiation of appropriate therapy. Methodology: A retrospective chart review was performed for patients admitted to the pediatric department with urinary tract infection (UTI) diagnosis in a large tertiary care hospital in Al Baha, Saudi Arabia, from May 2017 to April 2018. The study included children of both sexes under the age of 14 years. Results: Out of 118 urinary bacterial samples, Escherichia coli was the main etiologic agent in the community- and hospital-acquired infections. The infection rate was higher in girls (68.64%) than in boys (31.36%). The commonest isolates were Escherichia coli (44.07%), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (11.86%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (9.32%), Enterococcus faecalis (7.63%), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (4.24%), and coagulase-negative Staphylococci (3.39%). The current study demonstrates that nitrofurantoin (19%) was the most commonly prescribed medication in the inpatient and outpatient departments, followed by trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (16%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (15%), cefuroxime (10%), azithromycin (8%), ceftriaxone (7%), and ciprofloxacin (4%), while amikacin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, cefepime, imipenem, phenoxymethylpenicillin were prescribed less commonly due to the high resistance rate. Conclusion: The microbial culture and sensitivity of the isolates from urine samples should be routine before starting antimicrobial therapy. Current knowledge of the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of uropathogens in specific geographical locations is essential for choosing an appropriate empirical antimicrobial treatment rather than reliance on recommended guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]