ABSTRACT
Objective: We aimed to evaluate the demographic, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics of children with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), and to determine variations of the clinical presentation of the disease by age. Method: A total of 104 confirmed COVID-19 patients aged between 0-18 years were retrospectively analyzed. The study period was between March 15, 2020 and July 1, 2020. A confirmed COVID-19 was defined as a child who has positive real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). The patients were analyzed in terms of demographic, epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and imaging features, and clinical outcomes.
ABSTRACT
Objective: It is thought that hyperinflammation has an important role in the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19 and tests that determine the de-gree of inflammation can be used to predict the severity of the disease. From this point of view, we aimed to determine the hematological parameters that can predict the severity of COVID-19 in pediatric patients. Material and Methods: Symptomatic and SARS-CoV-2-PCR test positive 105 children were included to study. Seventy-nine patients had mild, 26 had moderate to severe COVID-19 at admission. Data about their demo-graphic characteristics, clinical and laboratory findings were collected from their medical records. Correlations between the hematological parameters and disease severity of patients were investigated by using uni-variate and multivariate regression analyses. Predictive value of different diagnostic markers was studied. Results: Mean age was older (177 months vs. 70 months) and mean body mass index (BMI) was higher (18.8 kg/m2 vs. 25.0 kg/m2) in patients with severe COVID-19 than those with mild. Univariate analysis showed that mean leucocyte (WBC), lymphocyte, eosinophiles, and platelet counts were lower;mean platelet volume (MPV), neutrophil to lympho-cyte ratio (NLR), and derived neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) were higher in severe COVID-19 group (p< 0.05). Multivariant analysis showed low lymphocyte (OR 0.072) and WBC count (OR 0.085), high dNLR (OR 2.14) and MPV (OR 2.35) indexes were the most valuable parameters to predict disease severity, ROC curve analysis revealed lymphocyte count has superior predictive value (<1.55 /mm3 has 84.6% sensitivity, 70.9% specificity) than other CBC parameters have. Conclusion: Low lymphocyte and leukocyte count, high MPV and dNLR values have significant predictive value in predicting COVID-19 severity. In particular, lymphopenia appears to be a valuable parameter to identify patients at high risk for severe disease and initiate accurate treatment to prevent disease deterioration.
ABSTRACT
Objective: In the early stages of any epidemic caused by new emerging pathogens healthcare personnel is subject to a great risk. Pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, proved to be no exception. Many healthcare workers died in the early stages of pandemic due to inadequate precautions and insufficient protection. It is essential to protect and maintain the safety of healthcare personnel for the confinement of pandemic as well as continuity of qualified healthcare services which is already under strain. Educating healthcare personnel on appropiate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is as essential as procuring them. Material and Methods: A survey is conducted on 4927 healthcare personnel working solely with pediatric patients from 32 different centers. Education given on PPE usage were questioned and analyzed depending on age, sex, occupation and region. Results: Among four thousand nine hundred twelve healthcare personnel from 32 different centers 91% (n= 4457) received education on PPE usage. Of those who received education only 36% was given both theoretical and applied education. Although there was no differences among different occupation groups, receiving education depended on regions. Conclusion: It is essential to educate healthcare personnel appropiately nationwidely for the continuity of qualified healthcare services during the pandemic.
ABSTRACT
Objective: In the early stages of any epidemic caused by new emerging pathogens healthcare personnel is subject to a great risk. Pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, proved to be no exception. Many healthcare workers died in the early stages of pandemic due to inadequate precautions and insufficient protection. It is essential to protect and maintain the safety of healthcare personnel for the confinement of pandemic as well as continuity of qualified healthcare services which is already under strain. Educating healthcare personnel on appropiate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is as essential as procuring them. Material and Methods: A survey is conducted on 4927 healthcare personnel working solely with pediatric patients from 32 different centers. Education given on PPE usage were questioned and analyzed depending on age, sex, occupation and region. Results: Among four thousand nine hundred twelve healthcare personnel from 32 different centers 91% (n=4457) received education on PPE usage. Of those who received education only 36% was given both theoretical and applied education. Although there was no differences among different occupation groups, receiving education depended on regions. Conclusion: It is essential to educate healthcare personnel appropiately nationwidely for the continuity of qualified healthcare services during the pandemic.