Healthcare for children with congenital Zika syndrome: analysis of access to social rights / Atendimento das crianças com síndrome da Zika congênita: análise do acesso aos direitos sociais

Abstract The objective of this study was to describe if the victims of the Zika have access to essential public policies to guarantee social rights. Methods: We used a cross-sectional study of a historical cohort of children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) in a reference hospital. CZS diagnosis was based on the Ministry of Health protocol. The variables analyzed were sociodemographic and social rights of children. Results: Of the 161 children seen from April 2016 to July 2018, 42 were diagnosed with CZS. Of these, 37 children participated in the study and 75.7% of them had severe neurological disorders. Anticonvulsants were used by 73% of the children, with 81% paid by families. The families were also responsible for purchasing nutritional formulas and diapers in, respectively, 79% and 100% of cases, and 89% of the children had access to rehabilitation therapy, although 70% of them faced several barriers to do it. Of the 24 working mothers, 83% did not return to the labor market after the birth of their children. Conclusions: The results showed that the families were at an intersection between the integral activity of caring for a child with severe disabilities and inefficient and omissive public authorities, a disincentive and discouraging context that made them give up in seeking their rights.

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar se as vítimas da epidemia da Zika têm acesso às políticas públicas essenciais à garantia dos direitos sociais. Métodos: Estudo transversal de uma coorte histórica de crianças com síndrome da Zika congênita (SZC) em um hospital de referência. Utilizou-se o protocolo do Ministério da Saúde para o diagnóstico de SZC. As variáveis analisadas foram características sociodemográficas e direitos sociais das crianças. Resultados: Das 161 crianças avaliadas de abril/2016 a julho/2018, 42 apresentavam SZC. Destas, 37 participaram do estudo, 75,7% com grave comprometimento neurológico. Anticonvulsivantes eram utilizados em 73% dos casos, 81% custeados pelas famílias. As famílias ainda custeavam fórmulas nutricionais (79%) e fraldas (100%). A terapia de reabilitação era realizada por 89% das crianças, embora 70% enfrentassem diversas barreiras para tal. Das 24 mães que trabalhavam, 83% não retornaram ao mercado de trabalho após o nascimento dos filhos. Conclusões: As famílias estavam situadas na interseção entre a atividade integral de cuidado de um filho com deficiências graves e a ineficiência e omissão do poder público, um contexto de desincentivo e desalento que, vencendo-as pelo cansaço, fazia com que muitas acabassem desistindo de tentar buscar seus direitos.

Microcephaly caused by or associated with congenital infections in the last 20 years in Brazil: a systematic review

ABSTRACT This systematic review aimed to identify the pathogens causing or associated with congenital microcephaly in Brazil in the last 20 years due to the lack of official information by the Health Authorities and, as a consequence the uncertainty on the real infectious etiology of congenital microcephaly. A review protocol was prepared according to the PRISMA recommendation, using the PubMed, SciELO and LILACS databases to search for references presenting original data on microcephaly caused by or associated with congenital infectious in Brazil, using the descriptors "MICROCEPHALY AND INFECTION". The search ended on 30/Jun/2020. All selected titles were read in full and analyzed independently by the three reviewers. After searching the databases, 2,389 articles were selected for title review. Of these, 109 were excluded due to duplicates and 2,236 according to the criteria defined in the review. Only 44 met the eligibility criteria and were therefore read in full. Data extraction was performed on 10 articles, all published after 2015. Seven studies were literature reviews or case series, only two were case-control, and one was a cross-sectional study. As the studies focused on the period of the ZIKV epidemic in Brazil, the cases of congenital microcephaly between 2015 and 2017 were attributed to maternal infection by this virus when it was not possible to prove the presence of other etiological agents. Among the TORCH agents, a predominance of syphilis was observed. The analyzed studies did not add consistent information about the infectious causes or association of microcephaly in Brazil outside the period of ZIKV epidemic, revealing the need for more studies on the subject.

The clinical and molecular diagnosis of childhood and adolescent pulmonary tuberculosis in referral centers

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The diagnostic accuracy of Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in children is lower than in adults. In Brazil, the diagnosis of PTB is based on a diagnostic score system (DSS). This study aims to study the role of Xpert in children and adolescents with PTB symptoms. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 3 referral centers to TB. Children and adolescents (0-19 years old) whose respiratory samples were submitted to Xpert were included. Statistical analysis (bivariate and logistic regression) to assess the simultaneous influence of TB-related variables on the occurrence of Xpert detectable in TB cases was done. To evaluate the agreement or disagreement between Xpert results with acid-fast bacillus (AFB) and cultures, κ method was used (significancy level of 5%). RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients were included in the study and PTB occurred in 43 patients (49%) and Xpert was detectable in 21 patients (24%). Adolescents and positive culture results were independent predictive variables of Xpert positivity. DSS sensitivity compared with the final diagnosis of TB was 100% (95% CI, 88.1-100%), specificity was 97.2% (95% CI, 85.5-99.9%). The accuracy of the method was 98.5% (95% CI, 91.7-99.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Xpert contributed to diagnosis in 9% of patients with AFB and in culture negative cases. DSS indicated relevance for this diagnostic approach of intrathoracic TB (ITB) in reference centers for presenting data both with high sensitivity and specificity.

Should arboviruses be the only diagnosis hypothesis in pregnant women in endemic areas presenting with a rash?

Abstract Listeria is an unusual pathogen that causes neonatal infection with high morbidity and mortality. We present the case of a premature newborn whose mother had a rash during pregnancy; the newborn had severe early sepsis because of Listeria monocytogenes and histopathologically suggestive findings of the placenta. Obstetricians and neonatologists should suspect listeriosis in cases with compatible epidemiological history, clinical features, and examination findings of the placenta.

Review of the missed opportunities for the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV in Brazil

OBJECTIVE: The present literature review aims to highlight gaps in the treatment of preventative mother-to-child HIV transmission and the risk factors in Brazil. METHODS: Among the 425 articles identified in SciELO and PubMed searches, 59 articles published between 1994 and 2016 were selected for reading and data extraction, and 33 articles were included in the present review. RESULTS: The rates of vertical HIV transmission described in the studies varied widely, from 1.8% to 27.8%, with a significant reduction over the years. However, recent rates were also found to be variable in different regions of Brazil, and despite the significant reduction in mother-to-child transmission, many gaps remain in prevention services. A failure to attend prenatal care is the main factor associated with the increased risk of vertical transmission of HIV, hindering early maternal diagnosis and the completion of preventative measures during the prenatal period and, often, the peripartum and postnatal periods. A small number of studies discussed the sociodemographic factors, including a low level of education for pregnant women and the inadequacies of health services, such as difficulties scheduling appointments and undertrained staff, associated with vertical transmission. As such, the current challenge is to better define the sociodemographic and infrastructural factors that increase the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV to provide the necessary investments to promote an earlier inclusion of these populations in prevention services. CONCLUSIONS: This review may serve as a guide for future programs to focus efforts on the prevention of vertical HIV transmission.

Epidemiological aspects, clinical manifestations, and prevention of pediatric tuberculosis from the perspective of the End TB Strategy / Aspectos epidemiológicos, manifestações clínicas e prevenção da tuberculose pediátrica sob a perspectiva da Estratégia End TB

ABSTRACT Tuberculosis continues to be a public health priority in many countries. In 2015, tuberculosis killed 1.4 million people, including 210,000 children. Despite the recent progress made in the control of tuberculosis in Brazil, it is still one of the countries with the highest tuberculosis burdens. In 2015, there were 69,000 reported cases of tuberculosis in Brazil and tuberculosis was the cause of 4,500 deaths in the country. In 2014, the World Health Organization approved the End TB Strategy, which set a target date of 2035 for meeting its goals of reducing the tuberculosis incidence by 90% and reducing the number of tuberculosis deaths by 95%. However, to achieve those goals in Brazil, there is a need for collaboration among the various sectors involved in tuberculosis control and for the prioritization of activities, including control measures targeting the most vulnerable populations. Children are highly vulnerable to tuberculosis, and there are particularities specific to pediatric patients regarding tuberculosis development (rapid progression from infection to active disease), prevention (low effectiveness of vaccination against the pulmonary forms and limited availability of preventive treatment of latent tuberculosis infection), diagnosis (a low rate of bacteriologically confirmed diagnosis), and treatment (poor availability of child-friendly anti-tuberculosis drugs). In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and prevention of tuberculosis in childhood and adolescence, highlighting the peculiarities of active and latent tuberculosis in those age groups, in order to prompt reflection on new approaches to the management of pediatric tuberculosis within the framework of the End TB Strategy.

RESUMO A tuberculose continua sendo uma prioridade de saúde pública em muitos países. Em 2015, a tuberculose matou 1,4 milhão de pessoas, incluindo 210.000 crianças. Apesar dos recentes progressos no controle da tuberculose no nosso país, o Brasil ainda é um dos países com maior carga de tuberculose. Em 2015, houve 69.000 casos de tuberculose notificados no Brasil e a tuberculose foi a causa de 4.500 mortes no país. Em 2014, a Organização Mundial da Saúde aprovou a Estratégia End TB, que estabeleceu 2035 como data-alvo para atingir suas metas de redução da incidência de tuberculose em 90% e do número de mortes por tuberculose em 95%. No entanto, para alcançar essas metas no Brasil, há a necessidade de colaboração entre os diversos setores envolvidos no controle da tuberculose e de priorização de atividades, incluindo medidas de controle voltadas às populações mais vulneráveis. As crianças são altamente vulneráveis à tuberculose, e há particularidades específicas dos pacientes pediátricos quanto ao desenvolvimento da tuberculose (rápida progressão da infecção para a doença ativa), prevenção (baixa eficácia da vacinação contra as formas pulmonares e disponibilidade limitada de tratamento preventivo da infecção tuberculosa latente), diagnóstico (baixa taxa de diagnóstico confirmado bacteriologicamente); e tratamento (pouca disponibilidade de fármacos antituberculose próprios para crianças). Nesta revisão, discutimos a epidemiologia, as manifestações clínicas e a prevenção da tuberculose na infância e adolescência, destacando as peculiaridades da tuberculose ativa e latente nessas faixas etárias, a fim de promover a reflexão sobre novas abordagens para o manejo da tuberculose pediátrica no àmbito da Estratégia End TB.

O desenvolvimento de uma pesquisa-intervenção com uma comunidade urbana / The development of a research-intervention project with an urban slum

Resumo Este artigo analisa o desenvolvimento de uma pesquisa no campo da Epidemiologia, na interface com a psicologia histórico- cultural, que teve como cenário uma comunidade urbana. A pesquisa pretendia comparar a carga das doenças relacionadas ao diabetes mellitus, a fim de, posteriormente, promover uma prática em saúde, o que significa uma divisão entre diagnóstico e intervenção. Entretanto, durante o processo, uma pesquisa, alternativa a este modelo diagnóstico, foi sendo produzida no processo dialógico entre os envolvidos. Esta prática - nomeada de pesquisa-intervenção - trouxe à cena o caráter construtivo do conhecimento e produziu "zonas de sentido", que engendraram formas novas para a pesquisa e para a prática em saúde. Estas transformações exigiram também novos percursos epistemológicos, o que nos aproximou da psicologia histórico-cultural de Vigotski, da pedagogia de Freire e da filosofia da linguagem de Bakhtin.(AU)

Abstract This article analyzes the interface between epidemiology and historical-cultural psychology as it presented itself in a research project in an urban slum. From the outset, the study sought to assess the clinical burden of disease due to diabetes mellitus, iteratively integrating findings into clinical practice, a formal separation between diagnosis and intervention. However, over the course of the study, the project shifted away from this traditional medical model as all stakeholders became engaged in the dialogic process. This process - known as research-intervention - brought to light the constructive nature of knowledge, and produced "zones of senses". These senses, and the lessons learned during their analysis, engender the development of new model for research and medical practice. In the process of these analyses we highlight several intersecting epistemological paths as we explore the historical-cultural psychology of Vygotsky, the pedagogy of Freire, and the philosophy of the language of Bakhtin.(AU)

Terapia antirretroviral em crianças e adolescentes infectados pelo HIV: o que sabemos após 30 anos de epidemia / Antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected children and adolescents: lessons learned in 30 years of the epidemic / Terapia antirretroviral en niños y adolescentes infectados por el VIH: lo que sabemos después de 30 años de epidemia

Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar o uso da terapia antirretroviral combinada em crianças e adolescentes com AIDS. Foram captados 247 resumos nos portais PubMed e LILACS, publicados entre 1983 e 2013, sendo utilizados 69 artigos para as referências bibliográficas. A atenção atribuída às pesquisas na faixa etária pediátrica durante os trinta anos de epidemia de AIDS se justifica por características imunológicas próprias, sendo a progressão da AIDS mais rápida em crianças que em adultos. Pesquisas recentes abordam estratégias de intervenção medicamentosa de alta potência antes do aparecimento dos sintomas iniciais. A introdução precoce da terapia antirretroviral combinada foi implantada com eficácia e segurança em populações com poucos recursos fixos, com melhora significativa da sobrevida desses pacientes. O desafio atual é lidar com uma doença crônica com intercorrências agudas. Novas pesquisas serão necessárias, atentando para as especificidades populacionais e particularizando as necessidades individuais dos pacientes pediátricos.

This study aims to evaluate antiretroviral therapy in children and adolescents with AIDS. We selected 247 abstracts published from 1983 to 2013, collected from the PubMed and LILACS databases. Sixty-nine articles were selected. Attention to research in the pediatric age bracket in 30 years of the epidemic is explained by the age group’s immunological characteristics, since AIDS progresses faster in children than in adults. Recent studies focus on the initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy before the onset of symptoms. Early introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy has been implemented effectively and safely in populations with limited resources, leading to significantly improved survival. The current challenge is to manage a chronic disease with acute complications. New studies should focus on population specificities and identify the individual needs of pediatric patients.

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo evaluar la terapia antirretroviral combinada, en los niños y adolescentes con SIDA. Se seleccionaron 247 resúmenes en PubMed y en el portal LILACS, publicados entre 1980 y 2013, al final se incluyeron 69 artículos para el presente estudio. La atención dada por la investigación a los grupos de edad pediátrica, durante los 30 años de la epidemia del SIDA, se justifica por las inherentes características inmunológicas: la progresión al SIDA es más rápida en los niños que en los adultos. Recientemente, se llevaran a cabo investigaciones para iniciar intervenciones farmacológicas de alta potencia antes de la aparición de los primeros síntomas. La introducción temprana de la terapia antirretroviral combinada se llevó a cabo con eficiencia y seguridad en poblaciones de escasos recursos, obteniéndose una mejora significativa en estos pacientes. El desafío actual es hacer frente a una enfermedad crónica que presenta complicaciones agudas. Son necesarias nuevas investigaciones, donde se tome en cuenta la población en donde se presenten los casos, así como las necesidades individuales de los pacientes pediátricos.

The impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on the survival of vertically HIV-infected children and adolescents in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients has reduced the number of acquired immune deficiency syndrome-related deaths worldwide. This study assessed the impact of HAART on the survival and death rates of vertically HIV-infected children and adolescents in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Data were obtained from a historic cohort of vertically HIV-infected children and adolescents aged zero-19 years old who were admitted from March 1989-December 2004 and were followed until June 2006. Patients who used HAART were included if they were treated for at least 12 weeks. Of 359 patients, 320 patients met the inclusion criteria. The overall mortality rate was 9.7% [31/320; 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.0-13%]. The median survival for the non-HAART and HAART groups was 31.5 and 55.9 months, respectively (log rank = 22.11, p < 0.0001). In the multivariate analysis, the statistically significant variables were HAART and the weight-for-age Z score < -2, with HAART constituting a protective factor [relative risk (RR): 0.13; CI 95%: 0.05-0.33] and malnutrition constituting a risk factor (RR: 3.44; CI 95%: 1.60-7.40) for death. The incidence of death was 5.1/100 person-years in the non-HAART group and 0.8/100 person-years in the HAART group (p < 0.0001).

Toxoplasma gondii antibody profile in HIV-1-infected and uninfected pregnant women and the impact on congenital toxoplasmosis diagnosis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: Compare the anti-T. gondii IgG titer between HIV-1 infected and non HIV-1 infected pregnant women and report three cases of congenital toxoplasmosis resulting from reactivation of infection during pregnancy of HIV-1 infected women. METHODS: This study was conducted among 2,270 pregnant women with chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection (absence of IgM and presence of IgG), including 82 HIV-1 infected and 2,188 non-infected women. RESULTS: The average anti-T. gondii IgG titer was 127 for the 2,188 non-HIV-1 infected women, and 227 for the 82 HIV-1-infected women (p = 0,007). These results suggested that higher anti-T. gondii IgG titers in HIV-1-infected pregnant women may not be indicative of an elevated risk for fetal infection. In this study three cases of congenital toxoplasmosis that resulted from infection reactivation during pregnancy of HIV-1-infected women were manifested by fetal death, symptomatic infection, and infant without symptoms, respectively. In two of these women, a ten-fold increase in IgG levels above used cutoff was observed (2,320 UI/mL and 3,613 UI/mL, respectively). In the third pregnant women anti-T. gondii IgG titers during pregnancy did not rise despite the occurrence of congenital toxoplasmosis (204; 198; 172 UI/mL). CONCLUSIONS: Congenital toxoplasmosis resulting reactivation of infection during pregnancy in the studied group leads us to believe that it is a public health problem, especially in our population, in which seroprevalence of T. gondii infections is high. These findings also suggest that special attention is necessary during pregnancy, because the serologic diagnosis may not be indicative of toxoplasmosis reactivation.

Perfil das crianças infectadas pelo vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana (HIV), internadas em hospital de referência em infectologia pediátrica de Belo Horizonte/MG, 2003(AU) / The profile of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected children inmates in a reference hospital in pediatric infectology in Belo Horizonte-MG, 2003

Este trabalho analisa o perfil clínico-epidemiológico de crianças infectadas pelo HIV, que necessitaram de tratamento hospitalar. Trata-se de estudo prospectivo, descritivo, das crianças com infecção confirmada pelo HIV, admitidas no Centro Geral de Pediatria da Fundação Hospitalar de Minas Gerais (CGP-FHEMIG), no período de março a dezembro de 2003. Foram incluídas 47 crianças HIV-infectadas, todas por transmissão vertical, com média de 1,4 internações/criança. À admissão, 40,4% apresentavam classificação clínica C (CDC, 1994). Foi relatado o uso de sulfa metoxazol-trimetoprim profilático, em34 por cento dos pacientes. A cobertura vacinal para BCG, Haemophilus influenzae B e pneumococofoi, respectivamente, 87,2, 78,7 e 42,6%. Os diagnósticos mais comuns foram pneumonia, broncoespasmo, varicela e diarréia. Nenhuma criança evoluiu para óbito. Foi observada maior taxa de hospitalização nas crianças com doença clínica avançada e imunodepressão grave. A baixa utilização de imunoprofilaxia ativa e passiva contra bactérias encapsuladas pode se relacionar ao grande número de casos de pneumonia. A profilaxia primária para pneumocistose associou-se à redução, na sua incidência.

This study analyses the clinic and epidemiologic profile of HIV infected children who have needed hospital treatment. It deals of a prospective, descriptive study on children with confirmed HIV infection admitted to the Pediatrics General Center (Centro Geral de Pediatria) of the Fundação Hospitalar de Minas Gerais (CPG-FHEMIG) in the period from March to December 2003...