Drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) are a type of adverse drug reactions with heterogeneous pathophysiological mechanisms and a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. Since over-diagnosing is common in children, a complete allergy work-up is needed. A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care institution, covering the five-year period. Five hundred and four patients of both sexes, mean age 7.5 and with a medical history suggestive of DHR were evaluated. ENDA/EAACI guidelines were used for a diagnostic algorithm. Single drug hypersensitivity was registered in 375 patients and multiple drug hypersensitivity in 129. The main culprits in medical history were antibiotics (83%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (8.4%) and analgoantipyretics (3.8%). Skin involvement was registered in 96.2%. DHRs were confirmed in 4.4% patients—six patients had positive skin tests and 13 had a positive drug provocation test. In the proven DHRs group, the main agents were antibiotics (72.7%), followed by NSAIDs (8.3%), and of all the skin manifestations, urticaria was most common (78.2%), followed by exanthema (10.5%) and angioedema (5.3%). Considering the above, anticipating DHRs and a proper referral of children to an allergologist is a key step in the assessment of drug hypersensitivity. A complete allergy work-up prevents unnecessary drug exclusion and allows most children to safely continue the use of first-line medications when needed.

Therapeutic recommendations for pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS) include conventional (CMV) and rescue high-frequency oscillatory mode (HFOV) of mechanical ventilation (MV). The pediatric risk of mortality (PRISM) is a frequently used mortality score for critically ill patients. In search of methods to recognize those patients, we analyzed the PRISM III score as a potential predictor of the short-term outcome in MV subjects with PARDS. A retrospective five-year study of PARDS in children on MV was conducted in the Pediatric ICU. Seventy patients were divided into two groups (age group <1 year and age group 1–7 years). The PRISM III score was used to assess the 28-day outcome and possible development of complications. The most common causes of PARDS were pneumonia and sepsis. Male sex, malnourishment, sepsis, and shock were significant indicators of poor outcome. The PRISM III score values were significantly higher in those who died, as well as in subjects requiring HFOV. The score had a significant prognostic value for short-term mortality. There was no significant difference in outcome based on the comparison of two modes of ventilation. A significantly higher score was noted in subjects who developed sepsis and cardiovascular insufficiency. The PRISM III score is a fair outcome predictor during the 28-day follow-up in MV subjects with PARDS, regardless of the ventilation mode.

Background/Objectives: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is an important treatment method that is becoming a commonly-used procedure in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), especially in critically-ill neonates. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study aimed to evaluate factors influencing the outcomes of CRRT in neonates and preterm infants. The study analyzed data from 41 newborns treated with CRRT at our NICU over a ten-year period. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were assessed, including gestational age, birth weight, PRISM III score, and laboratory markers like urea, creatinine, and potassium levels, as well as characteristics of CRRT. Results: Our research found that the duration of CRRT, the presence of anuria, and higher potassium levels after initiation of CRRT were significant predictors of a poor outcome. Despite the lack of significant correlation between demographic characteristics, PRISM III score and the outcome, our findings highlight the importance of timely CRRT initiation and efficient management to improve survival. Conclusions: Our study identified several significant prognostic indicators in neonates undergoing renal replacement therapy. While these findings provide valuable insights, further research is needed to establish clear theoretical guidelines and improve clinical decision-making.

Background: Genetic variants within the 17q21 locus and epigenetic modifications regulating immune function have been associated with childhood asthma, yet reported effect sizes vary across studies due to methodological heterogeneity and differences in study design. Objectives: To systematically synthesize evidence on genetic and epigenetic markers associated with childhood asthma using a two-level random-effects meta-analysis integrating published meta-analyses and independent cohort studies. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase were searched for studies published in English between 2011 and 2024. Eligible studies included pediatric populations with asthma or wheeze phenotypes assessing predefined genetic (ORMDL3, GSDMB) or epigenetic (AHRR, FOXP3, CpG loci) markers and reporting odds ratios (ORs) or sufficient data for their derivation. Risk of bias was assessed using established quality criteria for observational studies. Quantitative synthesis was performed using a two-level random-effects model with restricted maximum likelihood estimation. Results: Six studies comprising 51,235 children met the inclusion criteria. The overall pooled estimate demonstrated a significant association between molecular markers and childhood asthma (pooled OR = 1.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30–1.61). Subgroup analyses showed comparable effects for meta-analytic data (OR = 1.39; 95% CI 1.24–1.56) and cohort studies (OR = 1.47; 95% CI 1.31–1.64). Genetic markers yielded a pooled OR of 1.38 (95% CI 1.21–1.56), while epigenetic markers showed a pooled OR of 1.48 (95% CI 1.27–1.73). Heterogeneity in asthma definitions, methylation platforms, and limited representation of non-European populations may affect generalizability. Conclusions: This systematic review and two-level meta-analysis provides robust evidence that both genetic and epigenetic variations contribute to childhood asthma susceptibility and supports integrative multi-omic approaches for early-life risk stratification.

Introduction. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia is a potentially life-threatening condition that can require the use of mechanical ventilation (MV) and is rare in the neonatal population. Giant pneumatocele is an extremely rare complication of MV, which is practically unknown in neonates. Case report. We report a case of a two-week-old premature infant who developed severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19 and pneumatocele as a complication of MV. The newborn was admitted in a life-threatening condition with persistent hypercapnia, which, therefore, required pro-longed MV. Chest computed tomography (CT) was done to assess the degree of fibrosis caused by COVID-19, and as an accidental finding, a pneumatocele was observed. The patient was immediately started on high-frequency oscillatory ventilation as a way of conservative treatment. After prolonged duration and gradual separation from MV, the patient was extubated, and oxygen therapy was gradually discontinued. The patient was discharged in good condition, and the follow-up chest CT showed complete regression of pneumatocele. Conclusion. Optimization of MV parameters and adequate treatment of complications such as ARDS or giant pneumatocele in neonates is an area that still requires further research, primarily due to the specificity of the neonatal age compared to adult patients.