Medicine
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This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty
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Item Telehealth services for children with neuro-developmental disabilities in the Asia-Pacific region: A systematic review(Oxford, 2024) Devagiri, B.; Ariyasena, A.D.K.; Siriwardhana, D.D.; Sumanasena, S.BACKGROUND: In recent years telehealth became a popular and a rational health service delivery approach, especially amidst multiple challenges posed while providing health care interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. AIM: We synthesized available evidence on telehealth for managing children with NDDs in the Asia-Pacific region with the aim of identifying successful methods. METHODOLOGY: We systematically reviewed six electronic databases: MEDLINE, AMED, EMBASE, PsychInfo, Web of Science, and (CINAHL plus) using the keywords and database-specific subject headings from their inception to 25th August 2021. Review findings were synthesized narratively, and harvest plots were used to demonstrate the effect of interventions. The protocol and reporting the findings of this review adhered to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PROSPERO registration: CRD 340690. RESULTS: We harvested 30,823 records; 17,563 duplicates were removed, and 196 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. 16 studies with multiple research designs were included in the review. Eight were from the Pacific region and eight represented Asia. The interventions targeted families and children with a variety of NDDs (autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cleft lip and palate, hearing impairment, cerebral palsy etc.) via telehealth. Telehealth packages consisted of direct and indirect methods of synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid approaches. All studies used parent-led intervention strategies. Telehealth reported a positive effect in 7/16 studies while five showed a neutral effect. CONCLUSIONS: According to published evidence telehealth for children with NDDs is an evolving, evidence-based service facilitation modality in the Asia-Pacific region, with only a few published randomized controlled trials. The systematic review shows promising telehealth practices emerging across the region despite the diversity in NDDs studied.Item Prediction equation for physical activity energy expenditure in 11-13-year-old Sri Lankan children(MDPI Publishing, 2023) Dabare, P.; Wickramasinghe, P.; Waidyatilaka, I.; Devi, S.; Kurpad, A.V.; Samaranayake, D.; de Lanerolle-Dias, M.; Wickremasinghe, R.; Hills, A.P.; Lanerolle, P.This study aimed to develop a regression equation to predict physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) using accelerometry. Children aged 11-13 years were recruited and randomly assigned to validation (n = 54) and cross-validation (n = 25) groups. The doubly labelled water (DLW) technique was used to assess energy expenditure and accelerometers were worn by participants across the same period. A preliminary equation was developed using stepwise multiple regression analysis with sex, height, weight, body mass index, fat-free mass, fat mass and counts per minute (CPM) as independent variables. Goodness-of-fit statistics were used to select the best prediction variables. The PRESS (predicted residual error sum of squares) statistical method was used to validate the final prediction equation. The preliminary equation was cross-validated on an independent group and no significant (p > 0.05) difference was observed in the PAEE estimated from the two methods. Independent variables of the final prediction equation (PAEE = [0.001CPM] - 0.112) accounted for 70.6% of the variance. The new equation developed to predict PAEE from accelerometry was found to be valid for use in Sri Lankan children.Item Myths and misconceptions about childhood constipation(Springer-Verlag., 2023) Rajindrajith, S.; Devanarayana, N.M.; Thapar, N.; Benninga, M.A.Many widely held beliefs and assumptions concerning childhood constipation continue to interfere with rational management of childhood constipation. Although many still believe that constipation is not a common disease, about 9.5% of the world's children suffer from chronic constipation. Most of these children live in non-Western countries. There are major misconceptions about the etiology of constipation as a significant proportion of clinicians still believe that constipation is caused by some form an organic pathology, whereas in reality, the majority have functional constipation. Contrary to a commonly held belief that children outgrow constipation without long-term problems, there is evidence that constipation leads to significant bowel and psychological consequences and has a major impact on the quality of life which detrimentally affects future health and education. Finally, ineffective management strategies such as increasing fiber and water in the diet, and short duration of treatment owing to the fear that long-term laxative treatment leads to colonic dysfunction, interfere with effective therapeutic strategies. Conclusions: It is apparent that myths and misconception often lead to wrong assumptions regarding the distribution of the disease, its etiology, pathophysiology, and management leading to ordering incorrect investigations and ineffective therapeutic strategies while spending large sums of public funds unnecessarily. Poorly treated constipation leads to deleterious psychological consequences predisposing children to develop significant psychological damage and bowel dysfunctions. This review aims to challenge these myths about various elements of constipation by exploring the existing literature and encouraging clinicians to have a fresh look at old concepts that could interfere with the well-being of children with constipation. What is Known: • Childhood constipation is a growing problem in the world leading to significant suffering and high healthcare expenditure • Myths and misconceptions lead to poor management strategies causing psychological and bowel damage What is New: • Organic, systemic, and bowel disorders leading to constipation are uncommon, and in the majority, it arises due to deliberate fecal withholding and most investigations ordered by clinicians are not very helpful in the management • Most non-pharmacological interventions are not effective in the day-to-day management of childhood constipation. The use of laxatives is considered to be the first-line management strategy.Item Wilson disease presenting as acute haemolytic anaemia in a Sri Lankan child(Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, 2022) Chandrakumara, J.; Rathnayake, C.; Muthukumarana, O.; Amarakoon, G.; Fernando, M.No abstract availableItem Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in a lower-middle income country: A survey from Sri Lanka.(SAGE Publications, 2023) Rohanachandra, Y.M.; Chandradasa, M.; Dahanayake, D.M.A.No abstract availableItem Acute appendicitis during the recovery phase of dengue hemorrhagic fever: two case reports(BioMed Central, 2022) Thadchanamoorthy, V.; Ganeshrajah, A.; Dayasiri, K.; Jayasekara, N.P.Background: Dengue fever is one of the most common tropical diseases, with high prevalence in many tropical countries including Sri Lanka. Dengue infection can present from subclinical infection to dengue shock syndrome. Further, the disease also shows a variety of atypical presentations and has been reported to mimic a number of causes of acute abdomen. Case presentation: The authors report two children (a 6-year-old Tamil girl and an 8-year-old Muslim girl) who were diagnosed to have acute appendicitis during the early recovery phase of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and late recovery period of dengue hemorrhagic fever with platelet count of 92 × 103/cumm and 102 × 103/cumm, respectively. Both children were investigated with abdomen ultrasound as they developed severe abdominal pain and tenderness on palpation during the recovery phase, which was felt to be very unusual. Acute appendicitis was diagnosed in one child, while the other child had a ruptured appendicular abscess. Both children were treated with laparoscopic appendectomy and a 7-day course of intravenous antibiotics. Both children were reviewed in 1 month following treatment and had complete recovery. Conclusion: Although precise pathophysiology and associations of the surgical abdomen with dengue fever remain to be elucidated, there are known factors in dengue fever that can potentially lead to secondary bacterial infections and surgical abdomen. Awareness and increased suspicion by the clinician are paramount to detect such complications early, especially in children who demonstrate unusual clinical features during various stages of dengue infection.Item Expanded dengue syndrome presenting with acute liver failure, acute kidney injury, pancreatic involvement, coagulopathy, and multiple intracranial hemorrhages in a young child: a case report(BioMed Central, 2022) Thadchanamoorthy, V.; Dayasiri, K.Background: Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that typically occurs in tropical and subtropical countries. The clinical manifestations of dengue infection range from an asymptomatic subclinical course to severe dengue shock syndrome. Besides, dengue can affect any organ in the body and can present with atypical manifestations. Case presentation: We report a 6-year-old previously healthy Tamil child who had dengue complicated with multiorgan involvement. She initially presented with high fever, headache, body aches for 5 days, blood and mucus diarrhea, hematuria, and right knee joint swelling for 2 days. Dengue NS1 antigen was positive on day 2 of febrile illness. She was managed symptomatically in the local hospital for 3 days and transferred to the tertiary care hospital for further management. She was eventually diagnosed as having dengue hemorrhagic fever complicated with multiorgan involvement including acute liver failure, pancreatic involvement, coagulopathy, arthritis, acute kidney injury, and multiple intracranial hemorrhages. The constellation of disease manifestations was identified as expanded dengue syndrome. She was managed with fresh blood, platelet, and cryoprecipitate transfusions and intravenous antibiotics in addition to renal and liver support in the intensive care unit. On day 14 of illness, she deteriorated while on the ventilator and died due to multiple intracranial hemorrhages. Conclusion: The reported child with dengue hemorrhagic fever developed several unusual presentations such as acute liver and renal failure, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, pancreatic involvement, and multiple intracranial hemorrhages, which form part of expanded dengue syndrome. In the seriously unwell child, it is important to look for unusual complications actively to improve outcomes.Item Fifteen-minute update: International normalised ratio as the treatment end point in children with acute paracetamol poisoning(BMJ Pub. Group,London, 2023) Dayasiri, K.; Rao, S.Paracetamol is one of the most frequent reasons for poisonings across the UK with an estimated 90,000 patients and 150 deaths annually. International normalised ratio (INR) may be elevated due to hepatocellular damage and is frequently used to monitor progress on N-acetyl cysteine. N-acetyl cysteine is associated with reduced activity of vitamin K dependent clotting factors leading to a benign elevation of INR. In asymptomatic children with normal aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase, isolated borderline elevation of INR following paracetamol overdose should be reviewed for possible N-acetyl cysteine induced elevation of INR. Due to these factors, in those with borderline persistent elevation of INR, N-acetyl cysteine can be safety stopped if INR is falling on two or more consecutive tests and is <3.0.Item Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis presenting as bilateral ptosis in a Sri Lankan Child(Hindawi Pub. Corp., 2022) Kumarasiri, I.; Samararathna, R.; Sandakelum, U.; Muthukumarana, O.; Balasubramaniam, R.; Mettananda, S.Introduction: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is a rare inflammatory demyelinating disease characterized by acute onset polyfocal neurological deficits associated with encephalopathy. It commonly presents with fever, meningism, seizures, ataxia, motor deficits, and bladder dysfunction. Although cranial neuropathies, including optic neuritis and facial nerve palsies, have previously been reported, children presenting with bilateral ptosis is extremely rare. Here, we report a 3-year-old child with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis presenting with acute onset bilateral ptosis due to involvement of the single central levator subnucleus of the oculomotor nerve. Case Presentation. A 3-year-old Sri Lankan boy presented with drooping of the upper eyelids for three days and unsteady gait for two days. He did not have seizures, blurring of vision, limb weakness, swallowing or breathing difficulties, or bladder dysfunction. On examination, he had bilateral ptosis, gait ataxia, and dysmetria. His vision, eye movements, and examination of other cranial nerves were normal. MRI brain revealed high signal intensities involving the subcortical white matter of parietal and occipital lobes, midbrain in the area of single central levator subnucleus of the oculomotor nerve, cerebellar vermis, and right cerebellar hemisphere. Based on the clinical features suggesting polyfocal neurological involvement of the midbrain and cerebellum and characteristic MRI findings, the diagnosis of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis was made. He responded well and rapidly to high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone and showed a complete clinical and radiological recovery. Conclusion: This case report describes a rare presentation of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, bilateral ptosis due to involvement of the single central levator subnucleus of the oculomotor nerve. It highlights that the presenting manifestations of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis can be subtle and vary; however, timely diagnosis and treatment result in complete recovery.Item The Children of Afghanistan need urgent mental health support.(Elsevier, 2022) Shoib, S.; Essar, M.Y.; Saleem, S.M.; Legris, Z.; Chandradasa, M.No abstract available