Seroconversion in asymptomatic COVID-19 pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases of one tertiary referral hospital

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate seroconverted asymptomatic COVID-19 in pediatric Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases (ARDs) patients and to identify the risk factors related to contagion. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2021, before vaccination of children and adolescents in Brazil, including 77 pediatric ARDs patients, followed at a tertiary hospital and 45 healthy controls, all of them without a previous diagnosis of COVID-19. Data was obtained by a questionnaire with demographic data, symptoms compatible with COVID-19 over the previous year, and contact with people with confirmed COVID-19. Patient's medical records were reviewed to access data regarding disease and current medications. A qualitative immunochromatographic SARS-CoV-2 test was performed on all participants. Results: Patients and controls were similar in terms of female gender (70.1% vs. 57.8%, p = 0.173), age (14 vs. 13 years, p = 0.269) and SARS-CoV-2 positive serology (22% vs. 15.5%, p = 0.481). 80.5% of rheumatic patients were in use of immunosuppressive drugs: 27.3% of them used corticosteroids (33.3% in high doses), and 7.8% on immunobiologicals. No statistical differences were found between positive (n = 17) and negative serology (n = 60) patients regarding demographic/socioeconomic data, contact with people with confirmed COVID-19, use and number of immunosuppressive drugs, use and dose of corticosteroids, use of hydroxychloroquine and immunobiological drugs (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Pediatric rheumatic disease patients were infected at the same rate as healthy ones. Neither the underlying pathology nor its immunosuppressive treatment seemed to interfere with contagion risk.

Persistent symptoms and decreased health-related quality of life after symptomatic pediatric COVID-19: A prospective study in a Latin American tertiary hospital

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively evaluate demographic, anthropometric and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in pediatric patients with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) METHODS: This was a longitudinal observational study of surviving pediatric post-COVID-19 patients (n=53) and pediatric subjects without laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 included as controls (n=52) was performed. RESULTS: The median duration between COVID-19 diagnosis (n=53) and follow-up was 4.4 months (0.8-10.7). Twenty-three of 53 (43%) patients reported at least one persistent symptom at the longitudinal follow-up visit and 12/53 (23%) had long COVID-19, with at least one symptom lasting for >12 weeks. The most frequently reported symptoms at the longitudinal follow-up visit were headache (19%), severe recurrent headache (9%), tiredness (9%), dyspnea (8%), and concentration difficulty (4%). At the longitudinal follow-up visit, the frequencies of anemia (11% versus 0%, p=0.030), lymphopenia (42% versus 18%, p=0.020), C-reactive protein level of >30 mg/L (35% versus 0%, p=0.0001), and D-dimer level of >1000 ng/mL (43% versus 6%, p=0.0004) significantly reduced compared with baseline values. Chest X-ray abnormalities (11% versus 2%, p=0.178) and cardiac alterations on echocardiogram (33% versus 22%, p=0.462) were similar at both visits. Comparison of characteristic data between patients with COVID-19 at the longitudinal follow-up visit and controls showed similar age (p=0.962), proportion of male sex (p=0.907), ethnicity (p=0.566), family minimum monthly wage (p=0.664), body mass index (p=0.601), and pediatric pre-existing chronic conditions (p=1.000). The Pediatric Quality of Live Inventory 4.0 scores, median physical score (69 [0-100] versus 81 [34-100], p=0.012), and school score (60 [15-100] versus 70 [15-95], p=0.028) were significantly lower in pediatric patients with COVID-19 at the longitudinal follow-up visit than in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients with COVID-19 showed a longitudinal impact on HRQoL parameters, particularly in physical/school domains, reinforcing the need for a prospective multidisciplinary approach for these patients. These data highlight the importance of closer monitoring of children and adolescents by the clinical team after COVID-19.

Differences in children and adolescents with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a cohort study in a Brazilian tertiary referral hospital

OBJECTIVES: To compare demographic/clinical/laboratory/treatments and outcomes among children and adolescents with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that included patients diagnosed with pediatric COVID-19 (aged <18 years) between April 11, 2020 and April 22, 2021. During this period, 102/5,951 (1.7%) of all admissions occurred in neonates, children, and adolescents. Furthermore, 3,962 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection samples were processed in patients aged <18 years, and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 occurred in 155 (4%) inpatients and outpatients. Six/155 pediatric patients were excluded from the study. Therefore, the final group included 149 children and adolescents (n=97 inpatients and 52 outpatients) with positive SARS-CoV-2 results. RESULTS: The frequencies of sore throat, anosmia, dysgeusia, headache, myalgia, nausea, lymphopenia, pre-existing chronic conditions, immunosuppressive conditions, and autoimmune diseases were significantly reduced in children and adolescents (p<0.05). Likewise, the frequencies of enoxaparin use (p=0.037), current immunosuppressant use (p=0.008), vasoactive agents (p=0.045), arterial hypotension (p<0.001), and shock (p=0.024) were significantly lower in children than in adolescents. Logistic regression analysis showed that adolescents with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 had increased odds ratios (ORs) for sore throat (OR 13.054; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.750-61.977; p=0.001), nausea (OR 8.875; 95% CI 1.660-47.446; p=0.011), and lymphopenia (OR 3.575; 95% CI 1.355-9.430; p=0.010), but also had less hospitalizations (OR 0.355; 95% CI 0.138-0.916; p=0.032). The additional logistic regression analysis on patients with preexisting chronic conditions (n=108) showed that death as an outcome was significantly associated with pediatric severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) (OR 22.300; 95% CI 2.341-212.421; p=0.007) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) (OR 11.261; 95% CI 1.189-106. 581; p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Half of the laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases occurred in adolescents. Individuals belonging to this age group had an acute systemic involvement of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Pediatric SARS and MIS-C were the most important factors associated with the mortality rate in pediatric chronic conditions with COVID-19.

Poor Sleep quality and health-related quality of life impact in adolescents with and without chronic immunosuppressive conditions during COVID-19 quarantine

OBJECTIVE: To assess the possible factors that influence sleep quality in adolescents with and without chronic immunosuppressive conditions quarantined during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 305 adolescents with chronic immunocompromised conditions and 82 healthy adolescents. Online surveys were completed, which included questions on socio-demographic data and self-rated healthcare routine during COVID-19 quarantine and the following validated questionnaires: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL4.0), and Pediatric Outcome Data Collection Instrument (PODCI). RESULTS: The median current age [14 (10-18) vs. 15 (10-18) years, p=0.847] and frequency of female sex (62% vs. 58%, p=0.571) were similar in adolescents with chronic conditions compared with healthy adolescents. The frequency of poor sleep quality was similar in both groups (38% vs. 48%, p=0.118). Logistic regression analysis, including both healthy adolescents and adolescents with chronic conditions (n=387), demonstrated that self-reported increase in screen time (odds ratio [OR] 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-6.8; p=0.008) and intrafamilial violence report (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.2-3.5; p=0.008) were independently associated with poor sleep quality in these adolescents. However, the PODCI global function score was associated with a lower OR for poor sleep quality (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.94-0.99; p=0.001). Further logistic regression, including only adolescents with chronic conditions (n=305), demonstrated that self-reported increase in screen time (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.4-6.8; p=0.006) and intrafamilial violence report (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.2-3.4; p=0.011) remained independently associated with poor quality of sleep, whereas a lower PODCI global function score was associated with a lower OR for sleep quality (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.94-0.98; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Self-reported increases in screen time and intrafamilial violence report impacted sleep quality in both healthy adolescents and those with chronic conditions. Decreased health-related quality of life was observed in adolescents with poor sleep quality.

Experiencia de grupo de pais em uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal / Experience of parents group in a neonatal intensive care unit

Introdução: O universo que envolve a hospitalização é imensa, abrangendo a criança, o profissional e a família, e no período neonatal isto implica na separação do binômio mãe-filho logo após o parto, gerando sentimentos que precisam ser trabalhados pela equipe multiprofissional...

Introduction: The hospitalization involves child, health professionals and the family, that's why it is so immense. At the neonatal period it will imply in the mother-son separation just after the delivery, leading to feelings that need to be treatd carefully by the multiprofessional team...

Prevalência de sepse por bactérias Gram negativas produtoras de beta-lactamase de espectro estendido em Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatal / Prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Gram-negative bacterial sepsis in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência e a mortalidade de sepse neonatal por bactérias Gram negativas produtoras de beta-lactamase de espectro estendido (ESBL) em Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatal. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo e descritivo de 236 recém-nascidos com suspeita de sepse entre 2000 e 2004. O diagnóstico de sepse foi confirmado pela presença de sinais clínicos associada à positividade da hemocultura. A triagem para bactérias ESBL foi realizada segundo os critérios do National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. RESULTADOS: 84 (36 por cento) recém-nascidos apresentaram hemocultura positiva, sendo a Klebsiella pneumoniae o agente mais prevalente (47 por cento). A análise dos neonatos com infecção por Klebsiella pneumoniae mostrou que sete destas eram ESBL, perfazendo uma taxa de infecção de 0,4 por cento. Todos os recém-nascidos com Klebsiella pneumoniae ESBL - exceto um - foram hospitalizados por mais de 21 dias e necessitaram de ventilação mecânica; todos tinham cateter central, nutrição parenteral e antibióticos de largo espectro. A mortalidade ocorreu em 36 (43 por cento) dos 84 neonatos com sepse confirmada. Dentre os óbitos, as hemoculturas mostraram Gram negativos (67 por cento) e fungos (19 por cento). Em relação à Klebsiella pneumoniae ESBL, três recém-nascidos (43 por cento) morreram. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de sepse por Klebsiella pneumoniae ESBL no período do estudo foi de 0,4 por cento e a mortalidade de 43 por cento. É importante a detecção e o controle da disseminação deste tipo de microrganismo por seu impacto negativo na sobrevida de recém-nascidos prematuros e/ou doentes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the neonatal sepsis prevalence and the mortality of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Gram-negative bacteria (ESBL) in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. METHODS: This is a descriptive and retrospective study of 236 newborn infants with sepsis suspicion from 2000 to 2004. The diagnosis was confirmed by clinical signs and positive blood culture. Screening for ESBL was carried out following the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards criteria. RESULTS: Eighty-four (36 percent) neonates showed positive blood culture. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most prevalent agent (47 percent). Among the neonates with Klebsiella pneumoniae infection, seven presented ESBL infection, with an infection rate of 0.4 percent. All the patients with one exception had length of hospital stay greater than 21 days and needed mechanical ventilation; all the newborns used central catheters, parenteral nutrition and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Among the 84 patients with confirmed sepsis, 36 (43 percent) died and their blood cultures were positive for gram-negative bacteria (67 percent) and fungous (19 percent). In relation to ESBL Klebsiella pneumoniae, three (43 percent) neonates died. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of sepsis by ESBL Klebsiella pneumoniae was 0.4 percent and the mortality rate was 42.8 percent. It is important to detect and to control the spread of this infectious agent with its negative impact on the survival rate of premature and/or sick newborn infants.

Assistência de enfermagem aos recém-nascidos com doença de Chagas congênita / Nursing care for the newborns with congenital Chagas' diseases

No Brasil, devido à urbanizaçäo das enfermidades rurais tornou-se importante que os serviços de saúde estejam preparados para detectar precocemente essas infecçöes, controlar a propagaçäo e assistir esses doentes. As autoras fizeram um levantamento bibliográfico sobre a doença de Chagas congênita, apresentaram um caso com evoluçäo positiva e descreveram os cuidados de enfermagem e os respectivos objetivos