Screening for coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnant women admitted for delivery: an observational study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of symptom-based screening on the prevalence and outcomes of neonatal coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnant women admitted for delivery. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted from June to August 2020 at Gonzaga Mota of Messejana Hospital, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. All pregnant women were screened for coronavirus disease 2019 based on symptoms. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or immunology assays for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 were performed when a patient reported a symptom. All newborns of symptomatic patients were submitted for Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Newborns were divided into groups according to the Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction results to identify the relationship between maternal symptoms and neonatal coronavirus disease 2019. RESULTS: A total of 55 (55/1,026, 5.4%) and 50 (50/1,026, 4.8%) pregnant women reported symptoms and had a positive confirmatory test, respectively. The most common symptom of coronavirus disease 2019 among the pregnant women with positive confirmatory test was cough (n=23, 46%). Seven newborns (7/50, 14%) of symptomatic mothers had positive Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Upon birth, no newborn had serious complications. CONCLUSION: Universal screening of pregnant women admitted for delivery can reduce the perinatal transmission of coronavirus disease 2019. Symptom-based screening can be an alternative for regions with a low prevalence of the disease where a better allocation of financial resources is necessary.

Clinical-epidemiological profile of children and adolescents with COVID-19 in Ceará / Perfil clínico-epidemiológico de crianças e adolescentes com COVID -19 no Ceará

Abstract Objectives: to describe the clinical-epidemiological profile of children and adolescents notified by COVID-19 in Ceará. Methods: descriptive epidemiological study from open data repositories of the State Government of Ceará, about cases of OVID-19 in children and adolescents, from 03/15/2020 to 07/31/2020. For data analysis the tests χ2 Pearson, Fisher's exact and Poisson's regression with robust variance were used. Results: 48,002 cases of children and adolescents suspected of COVID-19 were reported, of which 18,180 (8.9%) were confirmed. The median of confirmed cases was 12 years old, 10.5% were newborns/lactants, 10.7% were pre-school children, 21.2% were school children and 57.7% were adolescents. They evolved to death 0.3% of the cases, of which 15% had comorbidities. They needed hospitalization 1.8% of the cases. The highest probability of hospitalization was found in newborns/lactants, male and with comorbidities. Conclusions: most of the confirmed cases occurred in adolescents, however, the evolution of the disease was more severe and with greater need for hospitalization in the age group of newborns/lactants, being the male gender and the presence of comorbidities additional factors for the need for hospitalization.

Resumo Objetivos: descrever o perfil clínico-epidemiológico de crianças e adolescentes notificadas por COVID-19 no Ceará. Métodos: estudo epidemiológico descritivo a partir de repositórios de dados abertos do Governo do Estado do Ceará, sobre casos de COVID-19 em crianças e adolescentes, no período de 15/03/2020 a 31/07/2020. Para análise dos dados foram utilizados os testes χ2 Pearson, exato de Fisher e a regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. Resultados: foram notificados 48.002 casos de crianças e adolescentes suspeitos de COVID-19, dos quais 18.180 (8,9%) foram confirmados. A mediana dos casos confirmados foi de 12 anos, sendo que 10,5% eram recém-nascidos/lactentes, 10,7% eram crianças em idade pré-escolar, 21,2% escolares e 57,7% adolescentes. Evoluíram para óbito 0,3% dos casos, dos quais 15% apresentavam comorbidades. Necessitaram de internação 1,8% dos casos. A maior probabilidade de internação foi encontrada em recém-nascidos/lactentes, sexo masculino e com comorbidades. Conclusões: a maioria dos casos confirmados ocorreu em adolescentes, no entanto, a evolução da doença foi mais grave e com maior necessidade de internação no grupo etário de recém-nascidos/lactentes, sendo o sexo masculino e a presença de comorbidades fatores adicionais para a necessidade de internamento.

COVID-19 in a child with down syndrome and extensive pulmonary tuberculosis: a case report / COVID-19 em criança com síndrome de down e tuberculose pulmonar extensa: relato de caso

Abstract Introduction: although pediatric patients have comparatively fewer cases of COVID-19, children with Down Syndrome exhibit comorbidities such as immunodeficiency, diabetes and, in this perspective, are considered a population at risk for severe COVID-19. In addition, the literature also points to an unfavorable perspective on co-infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, considered an important comorbidity and a predictor of a worse clinical outcome. Description: female child, nine years old, with Down Syndrome, congenital heart disease and prematurity, with significant weight loss and intermittent fever for six months. A week ago, she had an intensification of fever, productive cough and mild respiratory distress. RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 detectable in nasopharynx swab, chest X-ray with diffuse alveolar infiltrate, chest CT with consolidations, excavation, solid micronodules in a sprouting tree pattern mainly in the right upper and lower lobes. Molecular rapid test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis detectable in gastric lavage. After specific treatment, the patient progressed well and was discharged from the hospital after 72 hours without fever and improvement in her breathing pattern. Discussion: despite the extensive pulmonary involvement, the patient did not require invasive ventilatory support and presented a satisfactory short-term outcome. Therefore, the relevance of the association of Tuberculosis and COVID-19 and other comorbidities in the pediatric age group still remains uncertain.

Resumo Introdução: apesar dos pacientes pediátricos apresentarem, comparativamente, menos casos da COVID-19, crianças com Síndrome de Down manifestam comorbidades como imunodeficiência, diabetes e, nessa perspectiva, são apontadas como população de risco para COVID-19 grave. Ademais, a literatura também sinaliza para um cenário desfavorável na coinfecção com Mycobacterium tuberculosis, considerada comorbidade importante e preditora para pior desfecho clínico. Descrição: criança de nove anos, sexo feminino, com Síndrome de Down, cardiopatia congênita e prematuridade, história de perda ponderal significativa e febre intermitente vespertina há seis meses. Há uma semana, apresentou intensificação da febre, tosse produtiva e desconforto respiratório leve. RT-PCR para SARS-CoV-2 em swab de nasofaringe detectável, radiografia de tórax com infiltrado alveolar difuso, tomografia de tórax com consolidações, focos de escavação, micronódulos sólidos em padrão de árvore em brotamento principalmente em lobos superior e inferior direitos. Teste rápido molecular para Mycobacterium tuberculosis detectável em lavado gástrico. Após início de tratamento específico, a paciente exibiu melhora clínica e de padrão respiratório e recebeu alta hospitalar após 72 horas afebril. Discussão: apesar do extenso comprometimento pulmonar, a paciente não necessitou de suporte ventilatório invasivo e apresentou um desfecho satisfatório em curto prazo. Portanto, a relevância da associação de tuberculose e COVID-19 e outras comorbidades na faixa etária pediátrica ainda permanecem incertas.