Case Report
Pericardial Effusion and Elevated Liver Enzymes as Unusual Presentations of Severe Acute Malnutrition
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2025
Pages:
1-5
Received:
1 January 2025
Accepted:
17 January 2025
Published:
7 February 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijbecs.20251101.11
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Views:
Abstract: Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is a critical condition often seen in children from low-resource settings. While its common presentations include edema, growth failure, and immune dysfunction, rare complications such as pericardial effusion and elevated liver enzymes can significantly impact management and outcomes. To highlight unusual presentations of SAM and emphasize the importance of early recognition and comprehensive management. This case series describes two pediatric patients with SAM and rare complications. The first case involved a 1-year 9-month-old girl with edematous SAM, presenting with generalized pitting edema, fever, and loose stools, accompanied by mild anemia, elevated liver enzymes, and a minimal pericardial effusion. The second case featured a 29-day-old neonate with Pierre Robin Syndrome and failure to thrive, presenting with feeding difficulties, respiratory symptoms, elevated liver enzymes, and a small pericardial effusion. Both children were managed according to WHO guidelines, including nutritional rehabilitation, antibiotics, and supportive care, resulting in stabilization and recovery. Pericardial effusion in SAM is a rare but significant complication linked to fluid retention and systemic inflammation, while elevated liver enzymes suggest hepatic dysfunction due to malnutrition and infection. These cases underline the critical need for multidisciplinary care, early detection, and tailored interventions to address such complications. Healthcare providers managing SAM should be vigilant for atypical presentations like pericardial effusion and elevated liver enzymes. Prompt recognition and comprehensive management can lead to improved outcomes, as demonstrated in these cases
Abstract: Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is a critical condition often seen in children from low-resource settings. While its common presentations include edema, growth failure, and immune dysfunction, rare complications such as pericardial effusion and elevated liver enzymes can significantly impact management and outcomes. To highlight unusual presentatio...
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Letter
The Impact of Telemedicine in Morocco: A Transformative Shift in Healthcare Delivery
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2025
Pages:
6-10
Received:
5 January 2025
Accepted:
27 January 2025
Published:
17 February 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijbecs.20251101.12
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Telemedicine, the remote delivery of healthcare services through digital technologies, has emerged as a transformative tool in modern healthcare systems worldwide. It plays a particularly crucial role in Morocco, where it helps bridge gaps in healthcare access, especially in rural and underserved areas. By enabling remote consultations, telemedicine allows specialists to diagnose, monitor, and treat patients without requiring physical presence, thereby improving the efficiency of healthcare delivery. This has proven especially beneficial for managing chronic diseases, reducing unnecessary hospital visits, and optimizing resource allocation within the healthcare system. Additionally, telemedicine minimizes logistical and financial burdens associated with medical travel, which is often a significant challenge for patients in remote regions. Despite these advantages, the widespread adoption of telemedicine in Morocco faces several barriers. Limited digital infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, remains a significant challenge, as does uneven internet accessibility and variable levels of digital literacy among healthcare providers and patients. So, there is a pressing need for clearer legal and regulatory frameworks to ensure patient data protection, standardize telemedicine practices, and integrate remote healthcare services into the national health system. The lack of formalized reimbursement policies and resistance to technological change among some healthcare professionals further hinder its expansion. This paper explores the current landscape of telemedicine in Morocco, highlighting its impact on healthcare accessibility and efficiency. It examines both the opportunities and challenges associated with its implementation and evaluates key policy and technological considerations necessary for its sustainable growth.
Abstract: Telemedicine, the remote delivery of healthcare services through digital technologies, has emerged as a transformative tool in modern healthcare systems worldwide. It plays a particularly crucial role in Morocco, where it helps bridge gaps in healthcare access, especially in rural and underserved areas. By enabling remote consultations, telemedicin...
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