ABSTRACT
Objective To describe COVID-19 in children and the diferences between the two waves. Methods The electronic medical records of children younger than 16 y of age with laboratory-confrmed COVID-19 infection between June 1st 2020 and May 31st 2021 at Christian Medical College, Vellore were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected on a predesigned case record form and analyzed. Results A total of 988 children were diagnosed with confrmed COVID-19 during the study period. Of these, there were 585 children diagnosed during the 1st wave (June 2020–Feb 2021) and 403 children during the 2nd wave (March 2021–May 2021). It was found that loose stools and rash were signifcantly more frequent during the 1st wave and fever, cough, coryza, heart rate and temperature were signifcantly more during the 2nd wave. There was no signifcant diference between the two groups in terms of requirement of oxygen therapy, need for ICU admission, duration of ICU stay or hospital stay, or severity of illness. Mortality was signifcantly higher during the 2nd wave (0.3% vs. 2%). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic among children during the 1st and 2nd waves were similar in severity, though there was a higher mortality during the 2nd wave.
ABSTRACT
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and laboratory characteristics, treatment modalities and outcome of children with Kikuchi's disease.Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among all children, histopathologically diagnosed with KFD.' Clinical, laboratory data and treatment outcomes were analysed.Results: During the study period, 53 children histopathologically confirmed as KFD were enrolled in the study. There were 36 males and 17 females. The lymph node involvements were mostly cervical with bilateral predisposition (63.5%), firm (88%), matted (30.8%) and tenderness (38.5%). Fever, headache, vomiting, chills, myalgia and rash were other common presentations other than cervical lymphadenopathy. The associated laboratory findings include anemia (71.2%), leukopenia especially lymphopenia (31.4%), monocytosis (21.6%), thrombocytopenia (16.3%), elevated CRP (53.1%), ESR (83.7%), LDH (100%) and elevated liver enzymes. Most of the children were managed conservatively (49.1%). Corticosteroids were administered for (22.6 %) of patients. Recurrence occurred in 4 children (7.5 %) and 13 children (24.5%) had other associated diseases.Conclusions: KFD should be suspected in well children with febrile cervical lymphadenopathy, especially with leukopenia, monocytosis, and elevated CRP, ESR, LDH, Liver enzymes. KFD in children can have rarely atypical presentations and coexist with other diseases.
ABSTRACT
Infantile cortical hyperostosis (Caffey disease) is characterized by radiological evidence of cortical hyperostosis, soft tissue swellings, fever and irritability. We report a case of Caffey disease highlighting its presentation with thrombocytosis and high serum immunoglobulin level to alert physicians to use steroids cautiously in view of the known thrombocythemic effect of the drug. Raised Immunoglobulin also suggests that this syndrome could be infectious in origin.