Teeradej Kuptanon

QT dispersion in childhood obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

The difference between maximal and minimal QT interval and corrected QT interval defined as QT dispersion and corrected QT dispersion may represent arrhythmogenic risks. This study sought to evaluate QT dispersion and corrected QT dispersion in childhood obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. Forty-four children (34 male) with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, aged 6.2 plus or minus 3.5 years along with 38 healthy children (25 male), 6.6 plus or minus 2.1 years underwent electrocardiography to measure QT and RR intervals. Means QT dispersion and corrected QT dispersion were significantly higher in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome than controls, 52 plus or minus 27 compared to 40 plus or minus 14 milliseconds (p equal to 0.014), and 71 plus or minus 29 compared to 57 plus or minus 19 milliseconds (p equal to 0.010), respectively. Interestingly, QT dispersion and corrected QT dispersion in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome with obesity, 57 plus or minus 30 and 73 plus or minus 31 milliseconds, were significantly higher than in control, 40 plus or minus 14 and 57 plus or minus 19 milliseconds (p equal to 0.009 and 0.043, respectively). However, QT dispersion and corrected QT dispersion in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome without obesity, 43 plus or minus 20 and 68 plus or minus 26 milliseconds, were not significantly different. In conclusion, QT dispersion and corrected QT dispersion were significantly increased only in childhood obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome with obesity. Obesity may be the factor affecting the increased QT dispersion and corrected QT dispersion.

Dengue virus infection in haemophilic patients: aggravation of bleeding risk

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Rhythm disturbances in childhood obstructive sleep apnea during apnea-hypopnea episodes

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) can result in cardiovascular complications. Nocturnal arrhythmias are reported up to 50% of adult OSA patients. Arrhythmias and heart rate variability in children with OSA have not been well studied. Aims: We sought to study rhythm disturbances in childhood OSA and also to analyze the relationship of heart rate variability to the severity of OSA in children. Methods: In a retrospective cross sectional study, records of children aged < 15 years with history of snoring and suspected OSA, who had undergone polysomnography (PSG) for first time were analyzed. The cardiac rhythm and heart rate variability were studied during PSG. Results: A total of 124 patients diagnosed with OSA were grouped into mild (n = 52), moderate (n = 30), and severe (n = 42) OSA. During PSG, all had sinus arrhythmias and only three patients had premature atrial contractions (PACs). The standard deviation of heart rate (SD-HR) during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in severe OSA (9.1 ± 2.4) was significantly higher than SD-HR in mild OSA (7.5 ± 1.3, P < 0.0001). The maximum heart rate (max-HR) during REM-sleep in severe OSA (132.1 ± 22.1) was significantly higher than the max-HR in mild OSA (121.3 ± 12.6 bpm, P = 0.016). Conclusions: There was no significant arrhythmia in children with OSA during their sleep. Heart rate variability correlated with the severity of OSA.

Cardiovascular change in children with dengue shock syndrome

To determine the cardiovascular changes in children with dengue shock syndrome. Echocardiography was performed in 8 children (5 females) with dengue shock syndrome, median age 6.5, 4.2-13.7 yr and weight 34, 12-66 kg. All had massive bleeding with low initial hematocrit in most cases (median 31%), thrombocytopenia (median platelet 37,000/μL), and coagulopathy with massive pleural effusion. Seven (87.5%) developed acute renal failure and hepatic failure. All patients were in either compensate or decompensate shock with alteration of consciousness, tachycardia, poor tissue perfusion, and prolonged capillary refill (>4 s) with mean arterial pressure 65, 39-94 mm Hg. The cardiac dimension was normal to low normal except one had dilated left ventricle. Seven patients had normal left ventricular systolic function (5 with inotrope infusion). One patient had impaired systolic function even with inotrope. All had normal cardiac index (4.14, 3.51-6.37 L/min/m2) with increased heart rate (141.5, 110-160/min) but low stroke volume index (30.72, 25.37-42.49 mL/m2) and low systemic vascular resistance index (1,072, 223-2,880 dyne/sec/cm-5/m2). Decreased preload from bleeding and vascular leakage into the third space play an important role in shock in Dengue. However, decreased stroke volume and low systemic vascular resistance may be additional causes of shock.

Using non-invasive bi-level positive airway pressure ventilator via tracheostomy in children with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome: two case reports

IntroductionDue to the economic downturn in Thailand, two baby girls with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome had to wait for several months to obtain definite diagnosis and long-term mechanical ventilation. Genetic investigation later revealed 20/25 polyalanine expansion of PHOX2B gene in both girls. In this report we highlight the use of non-invasive bi-level positive airway pressure ventilators via tracheostomy, overnight end-tidal carbon dioxide trend graphs and outcomes of the patients whose diagnosis and treatment were delayed.Case presentationCase 1: A Thai baby girl showed symptoms of apnea and cyanosis from birth and required invasive mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy during sleep. At 5 months, she unfortunately was discharged from the hospital without any ventilatory support due to financial problems. She subsequently developed cor pulmonale, respiratory failure and generalized edema and was referred to us when she was 9-months old. An overnight polysomnogram was consistent with a central hypoventilation disorder, in which the severity of oxygen desaturation and hypercapnia was worsening during non-rapid eye movement compared to rapid eye movement sleep. At 12 months she was allowed to go home with a conventional home ventilator. The ventilator was changed to bi-level positive airway pressure when she was 4-years old. After she received adequate home ventilation, she thrived with normal growth and development.Case 2: A Thai baby girl developed apnea and cyanosis from the age of 5 weeks, requiring ventilatory support (on and off) for 5 months. After being extubated, she had been put on supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula for 2 months. She was then referred to us when she was 7-months old. An overnight end-tidal carbon dioxide trend graph revealed marked hypercapnia without increase in respiratory rate. An overnight polysomnogram was consistent with a central hypoventilation disorder. Since 9 months of age she has been on home bi-level positive airway pressure via tracheostomy without any complications.Genetic testing confirmed 20/25 polyalanine expansions of PHOX2B gene in both girls.ConclusionsBi-level positive airway pressure, originally designed as a non-invasive ventilator, was found to work effectively and safely, and may be used as an invasive ventilator via tracheostomy in young children with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome.