Journal of Clinical Pediatrics and Neonatology

Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare cancer that affects the choroid and, less frequently, the ciliary body or the iris (for recent reviews see [1-3]). Despite a profound knowledge of the oncogenic mechanisms behind UM tumorigenesis and despite an accurate cytogenetic and molecular prognosis, only limited advances have been made in UM therapy.

Proximal humerus fracture with simultaneous shoulder dislocation in children is a rare occurrence, with few reported cases. This systematic review of case reports aimed to document the outcomes of different treatment methods. A comprehensive literature search from 1980 to 2024 included case reports on traumatic shoulder fracture-dislocation in children. Eighteen studies were included, with a mean followup of 1.5 years. The cases comprised 7 boys and 11 girls, aged between 11 months and 16 years (median 6 years). The cases were divided into two groups based on epiphysealinvolvement.

Acute pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling actual or potential tissue damage as a result of a surgical procedure, physical trauma, or as a consequence of a medical condition [1]. The prevalence of moderate-severe pain, defined as pain which significantly interferes with daily living activities, ranges between 27% and 66% in hospitalized pediatric patients and remains inconsistent even in those institutions with excellent resources and good reputations [2,3].

Pediatric convulsive status epilepticus is a neurological emergency requiring termination in a time critical fashion, if permanent brain damage or death are to be avoided. Levetiracetam has been suggested as a potential second line agent for benzodiazepine refractory seizures. This review will examine the evidence for levetiracetam’s efficacy and safety in the management of pediatric convulsive status epilepticus.

In many metazoan tissues, highly specialized cells are constantly lost and need to be replaced by tissue homeostasis from adult stem cells. When adult stem cells divide by mitosis their daughter cells either become new stem cells, or enter a proliferation and differentiation path. Recent studies in Drosophila males showed that germline stem cells (GSCs) can increase their mitotic activity in response to repeated mating.

Sickness rates of children living in regions with extreme environmental pollution resulted in our study evaluating effects of 30-day supplementation with two different food supplements containing nucleotides, amino acids and polypeptides or β-glucan. This study was based on published studies evaluating these effects on children with chronic respiratory problems transported to the region without environmental pollution and into the medical program complemented with climatotherapy, speleotherapy, higher motion activity, rehabilitation, and a special nutritional program. 

Liver masses account for 5 to 6% of pediatric cancer, which includes hepatoblastoma (HBL) along with rare cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The most dangerous form of pediatric liver cancer is aggressive HBL, which can be characterized by chemo-resistance and multiple nodules or metastases at diagnosis, all correlating with worse clinical prognosis. Despite intensive studies and a significant improvement in overall outcomes, very little is known about the key molecular pathways which determine the aggressiveness of pediatric liver cancer.

The craniovertebral junction is unique and the most complex of the axial skeleton in multiple aspects; embryology, anatomy, pathology and kinematics. A surgical physiological approach to management of its abnormalities was instituted at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (UIHC) in 1977 and has been the accepted treatment algorithm worldwide.

Optimum nutrition is the key for growth and neurodevelopment of the vulnerable preterm neonates, yet immaturity of the gut and risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in this subgroup of neonates create hesitancy regarding aggressive feeding. Feeding practices in the preterm babies are heterogeneous across various neonatal intensive care units. Many neonatal units still differ in terms of feeding intervals, volume of feed initiation and slow versus fast advancement of feeds.

Opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome (OMS), also known as Kinsbourne Syndrome, is a rare disorder affecting the central nervous system. It presents clinically with ataxia, diffuse or focal muscle spasms, and rapid, irregular eye movements.

Microbial infection can cause cell damage in both plants and animals, as well as triggering stress responses commonly induced by environmental (abiotic) cues. 

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are occasionally associated with autoimmune manifestations. The prevalence of positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT) in patients with JAK2V617F mutation is not yet known.

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S. However, not much is known of underlying molecular mechanism and how oxidative stress contributes to its development. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of TGFβ signaling pathway on the effect of oxidative stress on VEGF secretion and viability of retinal cells. VEGF is the hallmark that exacerbates DR progression in prolonged diabetes. Some major concerns that have arisen are the underlying effects of antioxidants in elevating VEGF secretion in diabetes.

Injuries to the eye are a common cause of emergency department (ED) visits in the pediatric age group. There were nearly 14 million ED visits for traumatic injuries in children under age 5 in 2017 in the US, and most of these occurred at a private residence [1]. The highest number of pediatric ED visits for ocular injury were reported in children ages 1-5.

Anemia is a condition that causes decline of erythrocytes concentration in circulation or hemoglobin in the blood and a concomitant impairment of oxygen transportation. The World Health Organization (WHO) defined as hemoglobin (Hgb)<12 g/dL in adult non-pregnant women, Hgb <11g/dL in pregnant females, Hgb <13g/dL in adult men, Hgb <11g/dl in children whose age is 6-59 months, Hgb <11.5 g/dl in children whose age is 5-11years, Hgb<12 g/dl for children whose age is 12-14 years and Hgb <13 g/dL in newborns.

In the nightmare of the coronavirus pandemic that is spreading around the world, parents could take comfort in one thing - early reports that the virus mysteriously spares children, even though this often leads to critical illness in older people. An article published in the Journal “Pediatrics”, based on 2,143 young people in China, provides the most comprehensive evidence of the spread of the virus among children, and there is bad news and good news [1].

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are mesenchymal tumors which predominantly originate from the interstitial cells of Cajal in the intestinal lining. Around ~85% of malignant GISTs possess activating mutations in the tyrosine kinase receptors KIT or PDGFRA. The driver mutations in genes other than KIT or PDGFRA account for around 15% GISTs and belong to highly heterogeneous groups called wild-type GISTs. Around 20–40% of WT-GISTS are deficient for the succinate dehydrogenase complex (SDHA, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD). 

Neonatal cholestasis (NC) is usually a result of hepatobiliary dysfunction and can lead to extensive workup and prolonged stay in the NICU. NC is never physiological but rather a sign of hepatobiliary and/or metabolic disorders, some of which can become fatal if it is not identified and treated in time.

We are writing to promote a novel Bayesian dynamic borrowing approach, the empirical profile Bayesian estimation, in the published article "Yaoshi Wu, Jianan Hui, Qiqi Deng. Empirical profile Bayesian estimation for extrapolation of historical adult data to pediatric drug development. Pharmaceutical statistics 2020; 19; 787-802. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pst.2031."

Pediatric Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (p-FGID) comprise one of the most common chronic conditions impacting global health. Conceptualized as gut-brain communication disorders, p-FGID are often exacerbated by and contribute to significant anxiety as well as functional impairment. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the gold standard psychosocial treatment for anxiety spectrum disorders.