Background: Heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has gained popularity recently and is considered a standard respiratory support tool for pediatric patients with acute respiratory distress. However, data are limited on the bedside parameters that can predict HFNC failure in pediatric patients.Purpose: To evaluate the performance of SpO2/FiO2 (SF) ratio, pediatric respiratory rate-oxygenation (pROX) index, and clinical respiratory score (CRS), for predicting the HFNC outcomes.Methods: This prospective observational study included 1- month to 15-year-old patients with acute respiratory distress who required HFNC support. The HFNC setting, vital signs, CRS, and treatment outcomes were recorded. Data were analyzed to determine the predictors of HFNC failure.Results: Eighty-two children participated in the study, 16 of whom (19.5%) did not respond to HFNC treatment (failure group). Pneumonia was the main reason for intubation (62.5%). Predictors of HFNC failure at 12 hours were: SF index ≤166 (sensitivity, 62.5%; specificity, 87.8%; area under the curve [AUC], 0.75), pROX index <132 (sensitivity, 68.7%; specificity, 84.8%; AUC, 0.77), and CRS ≥6 (sensitivity, 87.5%; specificity, 96.9%; AUC, 0.92).Conclusion: The CRS was the most accurate predictor of HFNC failure in pediatric patients. A CRS ≥ 6 at 12 hours after HFNC initiation and pROX, a newly modified parameter, are helpful indicators of HFNC failure.

Original Article Treatment and outcomes of chylothorax in children: 20-year experience of a single institute Kanokpan Ruangnapa, Wanaporn Anuntaseree, Kantara Saelim, Pharsai Prasertsan, Maneerat Puwanant, Supaporn Dissanevate

Background: Open cardiac surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) triggers a systemic inflammatory response that significantly affects clinical outcomes. However, the dynamics and specific roles of cytokine release after CPB in the pediatric population remain unclear.Purpose: To evaluate the dynamics of cytokine levels and their association with low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS)-related outcomes.Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted of 32 children who underwent elective open cardiac surgery with CPB at Songklanagarind Hospital, Thailand. Levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were analyzed preoperatively and immediately (T0), 6, 12, and 24 hours after intensive care unit admission. LCOS-related outcomes were defined with at least two of the following criteria being met within 24 hours postoperative: clinical and laboratory parameters, vasopressor-inotropic score ≥20, ejection fraction 56 pg/mL from baseline to T0 showed the strongest association with LCOS (odds ratio, 37.34; 95% confidence interval, 4.53–836.53).Conclusion: An elevated postoperative IL-8 level is a robust predictor of LCOS-related outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. These findings emphasize the importance of monitoring cytokine dynamics to guide interventions and improve patient outcomes.

We report the case of an 8-year-old boy with diffuse large B cell lymphoma who developed a right-sided spontaneous pneumothorax with pleural effusion after recovery from septic shock. The pleural fluid was thought to be malignancy-associated chylothorax concomitant with complicated pleural effusion due to a milky-like appearance, a high level of triglycerides and Gram-negative bacteria staining in the fluid. He was put on total parental nutrition and octreotide for 2 weeks, but did not improve. The laboratory results also showed a persistent bacterial infection in the pleural fluid despite appropriate antibiotics. Eventually, a CT scan revealed a fistulous tract between the right pleural cavity and the stomach. Fistula repair was successful by right open thoracotomy with decortication. Even though the gastropleural fistula is a very rare condition in paediatric patients, the physician should consider this diagnosis in a patient who has an unusual presentation or refractory chylothorax-like pleural effusion.

Purpose: It is still unclear whether considering abnormal spirometry as a marker for disease control can help physicians adjust asthma controllers in children because of the scarcity of pediatric studies. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of abnormal spirometry in a selected pediatric asthmatic population and its effect on longitudinal outcomes. Patients and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Songklanagarind Hospital, Thailand. Children with asthma aged < 18 years were recruited for review if they attended the clinic and underwent acceptable spirometry with bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR) tests after receiving asthma treatment for at least 3 months between January 2011 and June 2022. Differences in baseline characteristics, atopic factors, asthma treatment, and outcomes were analyzed between the normal and abnormal spirometry groups over a 12-month post-spirometry period. Results: The mean age of the 203 enrolled patients was 10.9 ± 2.6 years. Abnormal spirometry, defined as airflow limitation or the presence of BDR, was observed in 58.1% of patients. No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics, atopic factors, asthma treatment, or outcomes between the normal and abnormal spirometry groups. Further analysis of 107 patients with abnormal spirometry with symptom control revealed that physicians adjusted the asthma controller based on spirometry and symptoms in 84 and 23 patients, respectively. There was no significant difference in the loss of disease control over the 12-month post-spirometry period between the two groups. Conclusion: Abnormal spirometry was found in 58.1% of treated school-aged patients with asthma. Abnormal spirometry results were not associated with poor asthma outcomes during the 12-month follow-up. Both symptom-based and spirometry-based adjustments of asthma controllers resulted in comparable symptom control over a 12-month follow-up period in the selected population.

Most patients with childhood asthma present their first symptoms at preschool age. Identifying modifiable risks and protective factors at an early age may help develop asthma prevention and control strategies. This study aimed to identify factors at preschool age that are associated with persistent asthma at school age. This retrospective observational study included preschool children with asthma from 2015 to 2020 at a university hospital in Southern Thailand. In total, 189 eligible participants (70.9% boys; median age, 7.6 [6.7, 8.5] years) were included. Wheeze characteristics included early transient wheeze, persistent wheeze, and late-onset wheeze that accounted for 55%, 27.5%, and 19.5% of the patients, respectively. Approximately 20% of the participants had persistent asthma. Breastfeeding was a protective factor (odds ratio [OR] 0.4 [0.2, 0.9], p = 0.04). The modifiable risk factors were siblings living in the same household (OR 2.6 [1.1, 6.2], p = 0.02) and residence in an industrial area (OR 3.8 [1.4, 10.5], p = 0.009). Additionally, presence of allergic rhinitis was associated with an increased risk of persistent asthma at school age (OR 3.6 [1.6, 8.2], p = 0.002). Early therapeutic interventions targeting modifiable factors provide a window of opportunity to prevent persistent asthma at school age.