Search

Aim: Neonatal clinicians may be asked to review X-ray images when unable to directly access the original image. Transmitting an X-ray image to a smartphone is a technique increasingly being used by clinicians in a number of settings. Minimal data exist on its use in the neonatal setting. Our aim was to compare the ability of neonatal clinicians to correctly diagnose a pneumothorax from a chest radiograph (CXR) viewed on a smartphone, paralleled with the same image viewed on a computer screen.Methods: We investigated the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predicative value of two methods of viewing CXR images to diagnose pneumothorax, compared with a gold standard radiologist report. Clinicians were presented with 40 CXR images on two occasions, at least 1 week apart. Images were viewed once on a smartphone and once on a computer screen. Both the viewing method and viewing order of the images were randomised. The clinical details of the infant at the time the CXR was taken were provided, and participants were asked if a pneumothorax was present.Results: Twenty-one clinicians viewed all CXR images using both viewing methods (840 paired observations). There was no difference in accuracy of detecting pneumothorax between viewing methods, 81% correctly identified a pneumothorax using the smartphone, versus 80% using the computer screen (P = 0.40 (95% CI), difference -4 to 1.5%).Conclusion: Diagnosis of neonatal pneumothorax was as accurate using a smartphone as viewing CXR images displayed on a computer screen when clinicians were presented with X-rays with diagnosis of pneumothorax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims There has been increasing evidence of a lack of public awareness of newborn screening and concern about inadequate consent being obtained from parents. Apprehension also exists in relation to storage and secondary use of screening samples. Our objective was to introduce a written consent process across Victoria as a means of strengthening programme transparency, quality and supporting parental choice. In addition, more comprehensive information covering all aspects of the programme was developed. Methods A 'two-stage' written consent protocol allowed parents to give separate consent for (i) their baby to be screened and (ii) secondary use of the sample in de-identified health research. At the time of sample collection, parents were asked to complete the consent form, included as part of the screening card. The protocol was piloted in four public hospitals and subsequently implemented statewide. Results Twelve months of laboratory data showed that although refusals for screening increased, overall participation remained above 99%. The percentage of parents opting out of research use was 6.5%. Provider compliance with the new protocol was high, with only 1.4% of cards received without a completed consent form. Conclusion This quality improvement project has demonstrated that parents can participate more fully in newborn screening without jeopardising high uptake. As a secondary benefit, the public health resource of stored cards can be maintained with parental support. Future work needs to examine the quality of consent being given by parents and investigation of the reasons why some choose to decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal herpes encephalitis is usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 and results in significant morbidity and mortality. Imaging diagnosis with ultrasound, computed tomography scan and conventional magnetic resonance imaging may be normal in the early course of the disease. In this case diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging detected the disease process earlier and better than the conventional T2-weighted or fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging sequences. The use of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in neonatal herpes encephalitis proved to be a useful tool in the early stage of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information about Bilious vomiting on children that occurs when bile is purged along with the gastric contents, although some small intestinal reflux into the stomach is common with all vomiting. It reports that Vomitus is considered bilious if it has a green or bright yellow color, indicating larger amounts of bile in the stomach; bilious vomiting is often associated with intestinal obstruction.

The article presents an answer to a quiz related to diagnosis of disease in a ventilated newborn with respiratory distress, abdominal distension and scrotal swelling.

The article presents a quiz related to diagnosis of disease in a ventilated newborn with respiratory distress, abdominal distension and scrotal swelling.

See Answer [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Post-implementation review of pulse oximetry screening of well newborns in an Australian tertiary maternity hospital," by Kavita Bhola, Martin Kluckow and Nick Evans in the June 13, 2014 issue.

Aim: To address the implementation of the National Newborn Screening Program (NBS) in Saudi Arabia and stratify the incidence of the screened disorders.Methods: A retrospective study conducted between 1 August 2005 and 31 December 2012, total of 775 000 newborns were screened from 139 hospitals distributed among all regions of Saudi Arabia. The NBS Program screens for 16 disorders from a selective list of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) and endocrine disorders. Heel prick dry blood spot samples were obtained from all newborns for biochemical and immunoassay testing. Recall screening testing was performed for Initial positive results and confirmed by specific biochemical assays.Results: A total of 743 cases were identified giving an overall incidence of 1:1043. Frequently detected disorders nationwide were congenital hypothyroidism and congenital adrenal hyperplasia with an incidence of 1:7175 and 1:7908 correspondingly. The highest incidence among the IEM was propionic acidaemia with an incidence rate of 1:14 000.Conclusion: The article highlights the experience of the NBS Program in Saudi Arabia and providing data on specific regional incidences of all the screened disorders included in the programme; and showed that the incidence of these disorders is one of the highest reported so far world-wide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor of the 'Journal of Paediatric Child Health' periodical, which evaluated the use of acridine orange leukocyte cystospin test in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Early signs and symptoms of neonatal septicemia; Presentation of clinical cases; Other laboratory procedures recommended in the diagnosis of the disease condition.

Editorial. Discusses the challenges in the echocardiographic study of neonates and children with congenital heart disease. Misdiagnosis; Problems with availability of experience pediatric echocardiographers; Ownership of pediatric echocardiography.

The article presents a question of diagnosis in the case of a one-day-old infant with bilious vomiting and compensated metabolic acidosis.