Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Group A Beta-Haemolytic Streptococcal Infection: An Indication for Tonsillectomy? A Review of the Literature

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in PANS/PANDAS in Children: In Search of a Qualified Treatment-A Systematic Review and Metanalysis

Background: Several treatment options have been proposed for pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome/pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infection (PANS/PANDAS). Still, no clear therapeutic protocol has been recognized to prevent these neuropsychiatric diseases. The study aims to report on the literature evidence and different treatment strategies related to these disorders. Methods: We analyzed the last 20 years’ English language literature and performed a comprehensive review of the PANS/PANDAS treatment, including studies reporting OCD outcomes post-treatment follow-up. Results: We covered 11 articles in our systematic literature review for a total of 473 patients, of which four studies included 129 surgical subjects and seven papers with 326 medically treated patients. Pooled outcomes analysis, surgical and medical treatment reported an OCD reduction, but no statistical significance was obtained (p < 0.05 for both). Conclusions: Surgical therapy in selected patients can lead to promising results, although further evidence is needed. On the other hand, the role of medical therapy remains controversial, often due to the lack of univocal curative protocols and variable responses depending on the drug used and the timing of administration. Therefore, further investigations are necessary to clarify the most appropriate therapeutic procedure.

Perioperative complications of pediatric otorhinolaryngological operations

BACKGROUND

The identification of risk factors for the development of perioperative complications is one of the most important problems of pediatric anesthesiology.

PURPOSE

To identify risk factors for the development of perioperative complications in children undergoing ambulatory surgical interventions on ENT organs.

METHODS

Total of 141 patients were examined at the age from 7 to 17 years. Depending on the presence of complications all patients were divided into three groups: «No complications» (n = 64), «One complication» (n = 55) and «Two or more complications» (n = 22). The study was carried out in the following areas: Preoperative clinical status, intraoperative and postoperative complications. The severity of nasal breathing disorders was determined rhinomanometrically. 31 children underwent somnography. In the study of heart rate variability was evaluated. Intraoperative complications included: Cardiac arrhythmias, arterial hypertension and desaturation less than 90%. Postoperative complications included: Cardiorespiratory complications, pain, delirium, postoperative nausea and vomiting.

RESULTS

The most significant complication in the intraoperative period is desaturation below 90%, in the postoperative period they are pain, nausea and vomiting. Risk factors for the development of complications in the perioperative period are a decrease in the thyromental distance, hyperplasia of the tonsils of the third degree, Malampati score ≥ to 2 points, parents' bad habits, combined neurological and respiratory pathologies in a child, an assessment of the class «allergology» of the ASPOND scale is not less than 180 points and the prevalence of vagal influences.

CONCLUSIONS

The obtained results indicate that the presence of risk factors for perioperative complications during operations on ENT organs in children are associated with the initial autonomic status and the predominance of the parasympathetic nervous system as well as with clinical markers.