Improvement in Lasegue's sign: an early predictor of recovery in childhood Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Child↗
Biomedical subjects
Arun K Baranwal
Publications and source records attributed to Arun K Baranwal.
Exchange transfusion: a low-cost alternative for severe childhood Guillain-Barré syndrome.
The high cost and nonavailability of plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin are prohibitive for the treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome in resource-poor settings. Exchange transfusion can be an alternative therapy for severe disease in children. The effectiveness of exchange transfusion was evaluated in nine children (median age 6 years) with severe Guillain-Barré syndrome (functional disability score >/= 4). All patients had lower limb weakness for a median duration of 4 days (range 2-16 days). Upper limb weakness (n = 8), respiratory involvement (n = 7), pooling of oral secretions (n = 3), and facial palsy (n = 1) were other motor signs. Four children developed respiratory failure; three were ventilated. Other clinical features included leg pains, meningismus and Lasàgue's sign, backache, excessive sweating, and hemodynamic instability. Two children had albuminocytologic dissociation on cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Nerve conduction velocity testing was done in three patients; two had suggestive findings. One course of exchange transfusion could be performed in seven patients. Six children (86%) responded well with one or more of the following: a halt in progressive motor weakness, improvement in leg pains, meningismus, and straight-leg raising within 24 to 48 hours; one could be weaned off the ventilator by 60 hours. All had improvement in motor power of at least one muscle group by one grade within 3 to 7 days. Two patients died, whereas five (71% of the treatment group) were discharged and could walk independently by 4 months. Two untreated ones had died. Exchange transfusion seems to be a safe and effective alternative for severe Guillain-Barré syndrome. It should be offered whenever intravenous immunoglobulin or plasmapheresis is not available or affordable. Replacement of immunosaturated red cells, removal of activated T cells and monocytes, and transient thrombocytopenia are possible explanations for its effectiveness in addition to removal of pathogenic autoantibodies, immune complexes, cytokines, and complements.
Child↗
Sodium stibogluconate and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.
Numerous antimicrobials including pentavalent antimonials are implicated in causing prolong QT-interval and ventricular tachycardia. Torsades de pointes is rarely documented with use of sodium stibogluconate. Here is described a 12-yr-old girl with visceral leishmaniasis, who developed syncopal attacks, prolong QT-interval, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and torsades de pointes after completing a course of Stibogluconate (20 mg/kg/day for 30 days). Prolong lidocaine infusion and cardioversion were life saving.
Anti-Arrhythmia Agents↗
Intensive care needs of children with acute bacterial meningitis: a developing country perspective.
In view of very limited availability of paediatric intensive care (PIC) facilities in developing countries, it is important to define priorities and recognise children who might benefit most from PIC. The objective of this retrospective, descriptive analysis was to identify the clinical indicators for intensive care in children with acute bacterial meningitis (ABM). The study included 220 children aged between 1 month and 12 years with ABM admitted to the paediatric services of an urban, tertiary-care, teaching hospital in northern India from July 1993 to December 1996. Of these, 88 were transferred to the PICU by the primary physician, 59% were comatose (Glasgow coma score <8), 44% had raised intracranial pressure (ICP), 24% were in shock and 42% had respiratory distress/failure. Seizures occurred during their illness in 64 children, 34 of whom had refractory status epilepticus. Endotracheal intubation was needed in 29 and ventilatory support in 19 children. Most of the life support measures were required during the initial 48 hours. Nineteen (22%) children died, 16 of whom were comatose on admission. Multiple system involvement was associated with higher mortality. There were no deaths among the children who were not transferred to the PICU. Children with ABM who have a Glasgow coma score <8, clinical signs of raised ICP, refractory status epilepticus, shock and/or respiratory compromise should be prioritised to receive PIC.
Acute Disease↗
Celiac crisis.
Celiac crisis is a life-threatening cause of acute diarrhea and multiple metabolic emergencies. It is extremely rare these days. We successfully managed a 5-year old girl with celiac crisis for multiple metabolic problems viz., hyponatremia, hypokalemia, metabolic acidosis, hyperglycemia and polyuria in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Steroid therapy was life saving. The case may serve as a reminder of the condition, which presents a difficult therapeutic challenge.
Acidosis↗
Acute iron poisoning: management guidelines.
Serum iron level may not be available and fully reliable in management decision and prognostication in our setting. An estimated ingestion of >60 mg/kg elemental iron, onset of symptoms, blood sugar >150 mg/dL, total leukocyte count >15,000 cumm and presence of iron tablets on abdominal radiograph indicates severe toxicity and need for chelation therapy. Appearance of "vin-rose" color urine following a dose of desferrioxamine may be helpful, but is not seen consistently after chelation therapy. Early decontamination of gut (gastric lavage/whole gut irrigation), desferrioxamine infusion (15 mg/kg/hour in saline), and aggressive management of shock, and organ failure preferably in a PICU are mainstay of management, and has improved the outcome. Shock, coagulopathy (prothrombin index <50%), severe acidosis and acute liver failure are poor prognostic indicators. Guardians should be counseled about safe storage of iron tablets made for adults, and general poisoning prevention measures.
Child↗