Emirates Thoracic Society Pediatric Pulmonology Scientific Meeting
The Pediatric Pulmonology Scientific Meeting by the Emirates Thoracic Society (ETS) was conducted as a live virtual meeting on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, under the sponsorship of Sanofi Genzyme and managed by Medetarian Conferences Organizing (MCO) with three hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME) accredited by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi. The webinar has reaped a total of 425 delegates worldwide from different healthcare sectors.
Webinar Chairman Dr. Asmaa Al Nuaimi, President of the Pediatric Pulmonology at the Emirates Thoracic Society (ETS), Pediatric Consultant at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), SEHA, UAE has officially kicked off the meeting as she addressed her welcome message, “I would like to welcome you to the Pediatric Pulmonary division under the umbrella of the Emirates Thoracic Society. We’re gathered today to listen to a variety of talks related to pediatric pulmonary and we have excellent topics that have been prepared by our experienced pulmonologists in the country.”
Dr. Sofia Konstantinopoulou, Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine Consultant at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), SEHA, UAE in her lecture on The Introduction of Aerodigestive Clinics which she claimed as a subject dearest to her, has discussed so comprehensively the importance of aerodigestive center, particularly in the United Arab Emirates. She said that the care of these critically ill pediatric patients is costly and complex. She adds, “Care for such challenging patients should be consistent, efficacious, cost-effective, outcomes-driven, patient-centered and family-focused.” She reported that between February and July 2019, SKMC has included all children who were evaluated in the Aerodigestive clinic as part of their methods which also includes the retrospective review of patient’s electronic medical records and collected data. In a nutshell, Aerodigestive care is a model of care for complex pediatric patients and the Aerodigestive clinic At SKMC follows children with complex diseases who require a coordinated interdisciplinary approach.
Dr. Jayachandran Panickar, Pediatric Pulmonologist at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), SEHA, UAE on the topic of Pediatric CF in UAE has cited a very interesting but complex case surrounding cystic fibrosis in which he covered the diagnosis and treatment based on the UAE data. He defined CF as a genetic condition with 30,000 mutations that cause CF. He has shown the mode of diagnosis at SKMC for patients with CF which includes sweat tests, stool for fecal elastase, CF genetic analysis, and CF screening. As for the treatment after the CF diagnosis, he started the approach by starting ABX Prophylaxis- Flucloxacillin and Multivitamins and to check sputum, perform throat swab, and PFT at each clinic visit. He also discussed these new treatments called CF TR modulators, a life-changing medication but quite costly especially in the UAE in which the drug itself costs approximately AED 1.2 million per year for each patient. Thus, he concluded by confirming that in the UAE alone, CF screening has been started and most medicines are now available.
Dr. Fatima Al Jneibi, Pediatric Pulmonologist at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), SEHA, UAE, has concisely examined Sleep Disordered Breathing (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) in children. In her objectives, she highlighted the importance of sleep for hair to grow and repair and will facilitate, nay, enhance the learning memory when the body is well-rested. She also argued that Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome by definition is a recurrent event of partial or complete upper airway obstruction with disruption of normal oxygenation, ventilation and sleep pattern. She also covered the diagnosis of OSAS as well as the underlying treatment indications for OSAS in which she argued that the treatment may be beneficial if AHI 1-5 episodes/h especially in the presence of morbidity from the central nervous system and somatic growth delay or growth failure. She concluded that OSA is common in pediatrics which can result in significant morbidity. PSG, on the other hand, is the main diagnostic method for overnight oximetry and polygraphy as alternative tools in low resource settings, and PAP therapy although challenging has been proven possible and very helpful.
On the symposium for Sanofi Genzyme, Dr. Hamad Alhameli, Staff Physician, Allergy ＆ Immunology, Respiratory Institute at the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, UAE, has shared his scientific reviews on the Management of Adolescent Severe Asthma. He started by sharing a clinical definition of asthma (per GINA guidelines) as a heterogeneous disease, usually characterized by chronic airway inflammation. It is defined by the history of respiratory symptoms such as wheeze, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough that vary over time and in intensity, together with variable expiratory airflow limitation. He also discussed the goal of asthma treatment which should deliver some of the following efficiencies: few asthma symptoms, maintain normal lung function, prevent asthma deaths and avoid medication side-effects. Dupilumab in Type 2 Inflammatory Diseases, he argues, reduces severe exacerbation rate and improves lung function in adolescent patients with uncontrolled, moderate-to-severe asthma. In his lecture, Dr. Hamad Alhameli provided comprehensive insights surrounding the treatment of asthma through Dupilumab medication.
The final Question and Answer session was moderated by Dr. Asmaa Al Nuaimi and followed by a closing remark to wrap up the Emirates Thoracic Society (ETS) Scientific Meeting on Pediatric Pulmonology.
Complement this webinar with the Emirates Thoracic Society (ETS) Scientific Meeting on Allergy & Clinical Immunology held last March 31, 2021, and SAVE THE DATE for the 13th Emirates Thoracic Society (ETS) Scientific Meeting on Respiratory Infections this coming May 26, 2021, via a liver webinar!