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Biomedical subjects

P C Ng

Publications and source records attributed to P C Ng.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Induced sputum inflammatory measures correlate with disease severity in children with obstructive sleep apnoea.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the association between airway inflammation and severity of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in children. METHODS: Consecutive children presenting with symptoms suggestive of OSA were recruited. They completed a sleep apnoea symptom questionnaire, underwent physical examination, spirometry, sputum induction and an overnight polysomnography. Adequate sputum contained <50% squamous epithelial cells, and OSA was diagnosed if the obstructive apnoea index was >1. RESULTS: 73 children with a median (interquartile range (IQR)) age of 11.3 (10.0-13.2) years were recruited. There were 21 girls and the median body mass index of the group was 24.0 (18.0-27.0) kg/m2. The most common presenting symptoms were habitual snoring, mouth breathing and prone sleeping position. Sputum induction was successful in 43 (59%) children, of whom 14 were found to have OSA. Children with OSA had significantly greater percentage sputum neutrophil than those without OSA (18.5 (IQR 8.0-42.0) v 4 (IQR 3.0-11.3), p = 0.006). On multiple regression analysis, percentage sputum neutrophil was significantly associated with OSA (odds ratio = 1.1, p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Children with OSA had airway inflammation characterised by a marked increase in neutrophils. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to better define the downstream cellular interactions and molecular pathogenesis in childhood OSA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

CDLQI, SCORAD and NESS: are they correlated?

BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QOL) and clinical severity scores are important parameters in the evaluation of distress experienced by children with atopic dermatitis (AD). The SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCOARD) is a widely used clinical score for assessing AD symptomatology over the preceding 3 days and the Nottingham Eczema Severity Score (NESS) is another score useful for AD symptoms over the preceding 12 months. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated if these parameters are correlated with QOL in children with AD. PATIENTS/METHODS: We assessed quality of life, clinical scores, total IgE and eosinophil count in peripheral blood in AD patients at our paediatric dermatology clinic over a 14-month period. RESULTS: Eighty AD patients (42 males and 38 females; mean [SD] age 11.7 [3.7] years) were recruited. The median (interquartile range, IQR) IgE, eosinophil counts and eosinophil percentage were 2988 (1069-7847) kIU/L; 0.6 (0.4-0.9) x 10(-9)/L; and 9 (6-12)%, respectively. Quality of life as measured with CDLQI (The Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index) generally did not correlate well with both the acute and chronic AD severity scores (objective SCORAD and total CDQLI, rho = 0.17, p > 0.05; total NESS and total CDQLI, rho = 0.29, p < 0.05). Factor analysis further confirmed that the objective indicators (serum total IgE, eosinophil count and objective SCORAD), self-reported scores (NESS and subjective SCORAD) and CDLQI were separate dimensions in the assessment of AD in children. CONCLUSION: Quality of life, disease severity scores and laboratory atopic markers represent different domains in AD assessment. They do not necessarily correlate well with each other and all three aspects must be individually evaluated to assess the well-being of these patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Longer term follow up of aerobic capacity in children affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

BACKGROUND: A study was undertaken to investigate the aerobic capacity and pulmonary function of children 6 and 15 months after the diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). METHODS: Thirty four patients of mean age 14.7 years completed both pulmonary function and maximal aerobic capacity tests at 6 months. All had normal clinical examination and were asymptomatic. Their exercise responses were compared with a group of healthy controls. Complete data were collected on 27 of the original 34 cases at 15 months. RESULTS: Compared with normal controls, the patient group had significantly lower absolute and mass related peak oxygen consumption (peak V o(2) (p<0.01)), higher ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (p<0.01), lower oxygen pulse (p<0.01), and a lower oxygen uptake efficiency slope (p<0.01) at 6 months. This impairment was unexpected and out of proportion with the degree of lung function abnormality. Residual high resolution computed tomography of thorax (HRCT) abnormalities were present in 14 patients. Those with abnormal HRCT findings had significantly lower mass related peak V o(2) than subjects with normal radiology (p<0.01). Absolute and mass related peak V o(2) in the patient group remained impaired at 15 months despite normalisation of lung function in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanism for the reduced aerobic capacity in children following SARS is not fully understood, but it is probably a consequence of impaired perfusion to the lungs at peak exercise and deconditioning.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Dietary restriction and supplementation in children with atopic eczema.

Issues on empirical dietary restriction or supplementation are important but inadequately studied in children with atopic eczema (AE). The dietary habits of children with AE followed at a paediatric dermatology clinic (n = 179) were compared with those without eczema (n = 78). The mothers of 53% of the patients with or without eczema did not breastfeed their children. Common food items avoided by parents whose children have moderate-to-severe AE included fish or seafood [64% vs. 32% of controls, odds ratio (OR) 3.84, 95% CI 2.12-6.95], beef (42% vs. 17%; OR = 3.57, 95% CI 1.79-7.11), eggs (34% vs. 14%; OR = 3.05, 95% CI 1.46-6.34) and cows' milk (18% vs. 4%; OR = 5.56, 95% CI 1.61-19.12); whereas their avoidance was less frequent in children with noneczematous diseases. The avoidance of these foods were often based on belief, but 66% of all AE patients who had avoided any of the above foods reported previous experience of eczema exacerbation by these items. Patients with moderate-to-severe AE were more likely to have consumed 'bird's nest' soup and traditional Chinese medicines. It is important to evaluate whether the AE patients are genuinely 'allergic' to some of these food items. Management is suboptimal if children with food allergy and severe disease continue to consume the culprit food. Conversely, avoidance of common foods in children without food allergy could result in food faddism or malnutrition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Limbs anthropometry of singleton Chinese newborns of 28-42 weeks' gestation.

Abnormalities of limbs are important features of some syndromes recognizable at birth. The purpose of this study was to establish normal standards of limbs including arm length, arm circumference, upper arm length, lower arm length, leg length, thigh circumference, upper leg length, and lower leg length. 10,226 infants (5,422 males, 4,804 females) with gestation 28-42 weeks from 12 hospitals were included. The LMS method using maximum penalized likelihood was used to perform model fitting of the anthropometric centiles for these parameters. This study provided the first set of references for the limbs of the infants by gestation and gender. Racial differences were found when comparing with other populations. The parameters are useful for evaluation of morphologic disorders involving the limbs.

Americas↗
PubMed2005

Mal-positioned umbilical venous catheter causing liver abscess in a preterm infant.

Neonatal liver abscess is uncommon, carries a high mortality and is difficult to diagnose. We report an unusual case of liver abscess in a preterm infant presenting with abdominal distension and suspected gastrointestinal perforation, rather than the more usual features of fever, hepatomegaly, abdominal tenderness, right-sided pleural effusion, and leukocytosis. We discuss current treatments for neonatal liver abscess and argue that in view of the high mortality and difficulty in diagnosis, prevention should be the primary objective. We believe that mal-positioning the umbilical venous catheter in the liver substantially increases the life-threatening risk of this complication, and advocate extreme care in the placement and use of these catheters.

Catheterization, Peripheral↗
PubMed2005

Fetal growth velocities in Hong Kong Chinese infants.

Few studies have investigated the velocities of fetal growth. The aim of the present study was to determine the pattern of 'fetal' growth velocities in a Chinese population. The gestation-specific measurements of the body weight, body length and head circumference in a representative sample of 5,045 male and 4,484 female newborns delivered between 26 and 42 weeks of gestation at 12 hospitals in Hong Kong were obtained. Peak growth velocity occurred before 30 weeks of gestation for head circumference, at week 30 for length and at week 30 for weight. When compared with data obtained from a French population, a significant difference in the growth velocity for body weight was observed below 32 weeks between French and Chinese infants, suggesting an ethnic difference in fetal growth of this parameter.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed2005

Normative data of penile length for term Chinese newborns.

Careful examination and assessment of penile length in the newborn is important because micropenis is associated with hypothalamic disorders. This prospective cross-sectional study was designed to establish the norm of penile length for term Hong Kong Chinese newborns. 4,628 full-term healthy male newborns were enrolled in the study. Penile length was measured from pubic ramus to the tip of the glans penis by placing the end of a straight edge ruler against the pubic ramus. A gestation-associated graph of 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 97th centiles for the penile length was created. The penile length was significantly correlated with gestational age, birth weight and body length. When compared with published data for other populations, Hong Kong newborns have significantly shorter penile length. The norm of the penile length is useful in diagnostic and therapeutics for the ethnic Chinese male newborns.

Asian People↗
PubMed2005

Trunk anthropometry of Hong Kong Chinese infants.

BACKGROUND: Disturbed growth of the trunk may result in abnormal sternocostal relationship and a variety of pectus deformities. AIMS: The purposes of this study were to establish norms of trunk anthropometry for dysmorphology identification in the newborns and to evaluate chest circumference as a predictor for low birth weight for outborn infants where weighing scales were unavailable. STUDY DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: A total of 10,339 Chinese infants (5478 males, 4861 females) with gestation 24-42 weeks from 12 hospitals were included. The anthropometric measurements analyzed included chest circumference, inter-nipple distance, sternal length and abdominal circumference. OUTCOME MEASURES: The LMS method using maximum penalized likelihood was used to perform model fitting of the anthropometric centiles for these physical parameters. RESULTS: References tables of the four physical parameters for newborns were constructed. Chest circumference showed the highest correlation with birth weight (male: r = 0.866, female: r = 0.883). The cut-off points for chest circumference of 295 (male) and 299 mm (female) were the best predictor for low birth weight. There were also racial differences in these parameters. When compared with French infants, Chinese newborns had smaller chest circumference. CONCLUSION: These physical parameters provide useful references and aid dysmorphology diagnosis in newborns of ethnic Chinese origin.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed2005

Chemokine response in children with SARS.

The chemokine response of eight children with serologically confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was longitudinally monitored. All had raised plasma interferon gamma inducible protein (IP-10) concentrations, which suggested an active type 1 T-helper lymphocyte mediated immune response. High circulating IP-10 levels could facilitate viral clearance and might play a role in assisting the recovery of the patients.

Chemokine CCL2↗
PubMed2005

A case-control study of SARS versus community acquired pneumonia.

The clinical, laboratory, and radiological features at presentation of 16 children (<12 years) with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and pneumonia were compared with 32 age matched patients with community acquired pneumonia for determination of predictive factors that could allow early differentiation of the two conditions. A definitive contact history was the most important predictor for SARS. Raised serum lactate dehydrogenase concentration in the presence of low neutrophil count and serum creatine phosphokinase level at presentation also indicated an increased likelihood of SARS-coronavirus infection in young children.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed2005

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in neonates and children.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) runs a more benign course in children during the acute phase. Infants born to mothers with the disease did not acquire the infection through vertical transmission. The treatment strategy for children with SARS has not been standardised and is based on adult experience. Thus far, no deaths have been reported in the paediatric age group. Exercise impairment and residual radiological abnormalities were present six months after diagnosis. It is important to assess these patients on a regular basis to detect and provide appropriate management for any persistent or emerging long term sequelae in the physical, psychological, and social domains. This review describes the current understanding of SARS coronavirus infection in newborns and children.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2005

Fever, pulmonary haemorrhage, and acute renal failure in a young girl.

Leptospirosis is rarely reported in children. It is easily treated with antibiotics but can be fatal if treatment is delayed. A 12-year-old girl was diagnosed with Weil syndrome, a severe form of leptospirosis, 10 days after returning from Mainland China. She presented with fever, hypotension, jaundice, and acute renal failure. She had used well water for bathing and swum in freshwater.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed2004

Effects of inhaled corticosteroids on systemic blood pressure in preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of inhaled fluticasone propionate on (i) systemic blood pressure, and (ii) the need for volume expanders (crystalloids and colloids) and inotropes for blood pressure support in preterm, very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: Ventilated VLBW infants, less than 32 weeks of gestation, with respiratory distress syndrome were randomised to receive a 14-day course of either fluticasone propionate (500 microg/puff, 2 puffs every 12 h; n=27) or placebo (n=26) with a metered dose inhaler-spacer device. The response of treatment was assessed by comparing the use of volume expanders, inotropes, and the average and the lowest systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressures in 6 hourly epochs between the 2 groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the average or the lowest systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressures in 6 hourly epochs between the 2 groups. However, the total volume of crystalloids and colloids requirement was significantly greater in control than in treated infants (p=0.03). There was also a trend towards greater consumption of the total cumulative dose of dopamine in the control infants (p=0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Fluticasone-treated infants required significantly less volume of crystalloids and colloids for blood pressure support compared with control infants. Further larger scale studies are required to determine whether inhaled corticosteroids could minimise the use of volume replacement therapy and inotropes in the treatment of hypotension in preterm infants in the early postnatal period.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2004

Radiological and pulmonary function outcomes of children with SARS.

We examined the radiological and pulmonary function outcomes of children affected with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) at 6 months from diagnosis. Twenty-one female and 26 male Chinese patients (median age, 13.6 years; interquartile range, 9.9-16.0) were studied. In each subject, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the thorax and pulmonary function were assessed. All children were asymptomatic and had a normal clinical examination. Mild pulmonary abnormalities were detected on HRCT in 16 (34.0%) subjects, including residual ground-glass opacification (n = 5), air trapping (n = 8), and a combination of ground-glass changes and air trapping (n = 3). The need for oxygen supplementation (P = 0.02) and lymphopenia during the course of illness (P = 0.012) were significant risk factors in predicting abnormal HRCT. There were no significant lung function differences between those with and without HRCT abnormalities. Despite complete clinical resolution, a considerable proportion of children affected with SARS had abnormal HRCT findings at 6 months. These abnormalities were more prevalent in those with severe disease. It is important that careful follow-up be carried out to assess the clinical significance and persistence of such abnormalities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Infection control for SARS in a tertiary paediatric centre in Hong Kong.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an emerging infectious disease. After the appearance of an index patient in Hong Kong in February 2003, SARS outbreaks occurred rapidly in hospitals and spread to the community. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a triage policy and risk-stratified infection control measures in preventing nosocomial SARS infection among paediatric healthcare workers (HCWs) at the Prince of Wales Hospital, a general hospital to which children with SARS are referred in Hong Kong. The acute paediatric wards were stratified into three areas: (1) ultra high-risk area, (2) high-risk area and (3) moderate-risk area according to different risk levels of nosocomial SARS transmission. The implementation of different levels of infection control precautions was guided by this risk stratification strategy. Between 13 March and 23 June, 38 patients with probable and suspected SARS, 90 patients with non-SARS pneumonia, and 510 patients without pneumonia were admitted into our unit. All probable SARS cases were isolated in negative-pressure rooms. Twenty-six HCWs worked in the ultra high-risk area caring for SARS patients and 88 HCWs managed non-SARS patients in other ward areas. None of the HCWs developed clinical features suggestive of SARS. In addition, there was no nosocomial spread of SARS-associated coronavirus to other patients or visitors during this period. In conclusion, stringent infection control precautions, appropriate triage and prompt isolation of potential SARS patients may have contributed to a lack of nosocomial spread and HCW acquisition of SARS in our unit.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed2004

Auricular anthropometry of Hong Kong Chinese babies.

OBJECTIVES: To provide a database of the auricular measurements of Chinese infants born in Hong Kong. DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional study. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: A total of 2384 healthy singleton, born consecutively at the Prince of Wales Hospital and the Union Hospital from October 1998 to September 2000, were included in the study. The range of gestation was 33-42 weeks. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Measurements included ear width (EW), ear length (EL) and ear position (EP). The data show generally higher values for males in the parameters measured. When compared with previously published data for Caucasian and Jordanian term babies, Chinese babies have shorter EL. The ears were within normal position in nearly all our infants. CONCLUSION: The human ear appears to grow in a remarkably constant fashion. This study establishes the first set of gestational age-specific standard of the ear parameters for Chinese new-borns, potentially enabling early syndromal diagnosis. There are significant inter-racial differences in these ear parameters.

Asian People↗