Physical and mental health impacts during COVID-19 quarantine in adolescents with preexisting chronic immunocompromised conditions

Abstract Objective: To evaluate physical and mental health indicators in adolescents with preexisting chronic immunocompromised conditions during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quarantine. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 355 adolescents with chronic conditions and 111 healthy adolescents. An online self-rated survey was used to investigate socio-demographic features, healthcare routine, and the quarantine impact on physical and mental health. The validated self-reported version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was also applied. Results: The median of age [14 (10-18) vs. 15 (10-18) years, p = 0.733] and frequencies of female (61% vs. 60%, p = 0.970) were similar between adolescents with preexisting chronic conditions and healthy adolescents during quarantine of COVID-19 pandemic. The frequencies of abnormal total difficulties score of SDQ were similar in patients and controls (30% vs. 31%, p = 0.775). Logistic regression analysis showed that being female (OR = 1.965; 95% CI = 1.091-3.541, p = 0.024), fear of underlying disease activity/complication (OR = 1.009; 95%CI = 1.001-1.018, p = 0.030) were associated with severe psychosocial dysfunction in adolescents with chronic conditions, whereas school homework (OR = 0.449; 95% CI = 0.206-0.981, p = 0.045) and physical activity (OR = 0.990; 95% CI = 0.981-0.999, p = 0.030) were protective factors. Further analysis of patients with chronic immunocompromised conditions and previous diagnosis of mental disorders (9%) compared with patients without diagnosis showed higher median of total difficulties score (p = 0.001), emotional (p = 0.005), conduct (p = 0.007), peer problems (p = 0.001) and hyperactivity (p = 0.034) in the former group. Conclusion: Adolescents with preexisting chronic immunocompromised conditions during COVID-19 quarantine were not at higher risk of adverse health indicators. Being female, fear of underlying disease activity/complication, and household members working outside of the home were relevant issues for adolescents with preexisting chronic conditions. This study reinforces the need to establish mental health strategies for teens with chronic conditions, particularly during the pandemic.

Osteoporose na infância e adolescência. (Editorial) / Osteoporosis in childhood and adolescence. (Editorial)

A osteoporose progressivamente passou a constituir tema de interesse pediátrico. De um lado, foi reconhecido que a densidade mineral óssea (DMO) de indivíduos adultos e idosos depende do pico de massa óssea adquirido até o final da segunda década de vida.Sob este ângulo, o pediatra tem, portanto, a responsabilidade de garantiras condições necessárias para que as crianças e adolescentes desenvolvam a melhor qualidade/quantidade de massa óssea...

Púrpura de Henoch-Schönlein na criança e adolescente / Henoch-Schönlein purpura in childhood and adolescence

A púrpura de Henoch-Schönlein (PHS) é a vasculite mais frequente na infância. A manifestação clínica presente em todos os pacientes é a púrpura palpável não plaquetopênica, de localização predominante em membros inferiores e nádegas, podendo ocorrer em face, couro cabeludo, braços e raramente, tronco. Artralgia e/ou artrite ocorre em 60 a 84 por cento dos pacientes. O comprometimento gastrintestinal ocorre em 50 a 85 por cento dos casos e em 19 por cento dos pacientes é a apresentação inicial dos pacientes, geralmente nos primeiros três meses da doença. Doença renal grave ocorre em 1 a 4,5 por cento de todas as crianças com PHS e em 7,5 por cento daquelas com alterações renais persistentes. As lesões cutâneas resolvem-se naturalmente, na maioria das vezes, sem tratamento. As artralgias e artrites têm boa resposta ao paracetamol e/ou naproxeno. Os corticosteróides são indicados no comprometimento intestinal grave, orquite, hemorragia pulmonar e nefrites. Os casos graves particularmente a glomerulonefrite crescêntica, podem requerer terapia com gamaglobulina endovenosa, plasmaférese e/ou imunossupressores. As alterações cutâneas, articulares e gastrintestinais costumam resolver em um a dois meses. O prognóstico da PHS é bom, apesar de recorrências eventuais. A mortalidade na fase aguda está relacionada com complicações e insuficiência renal aguda. A longo prazo a morbimortalidade está relacionada com a insuficiência renal crônica