ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Myocarditis is one of the presentations of multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although the reported short-term prognosis is good, data regarding medium-term functional capacity and limitations are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate exercise capacity as well as possible cardiac and respiratory limitations in children recovered from MIS-C related myocarditis. METHODS: Fourteen patients who recovered from MIS-C related myocarditis underwent spirometry and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), and their results were compared with an age-, sex-, weight- and activity level-matched healthy control group (n = 14). RESULTS: All participants completed the CPET with peak oxygen uptake (peak [Formula: see text]), and the results were within the normal range (MIS-C 89.3% ± 8.9% and Control 87.9% ± 13.7% predicted [Formula: see text]). Five post-MIS-C patients (35%) had exercise-related cardio-respiratory abnormalities, including oxygen desaturation and oxygen-pulse flattening, compared to none in the control group. The MIS-C group also had lower peak exercise saturation (95.6 ± 3.5 vs. 97.6 ± 1.1) and lower breathing reserve (17.4% ± 7.5% vs. 27.4% ± 14.0% of MVV). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who recovered from MIS-C related myocarditis may present exercise limitations. Functional assessment (e.g., CPET) should be included in routine examinations before allowing a return to physical activity in post-MIS-C myocarditis. Larger, longer term studies assessing functional capacity and focusing on physiological mechanisms are needed.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been a decline in pediatric emergency department visits. Our aim was to assess the pattern of pediatric foreign body aspiration (FBA) during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, in comparison to the prior years. METHODS: In this retrospective multicenter study, we compared the number of children who presented with FBA during the COVID-19 year (March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021) to the annual average of the years 2016-2019. We also compared the lockdown periods to the postlockdown periods, and the percentage of missed FBA, proven FBA, and flexible bronchoscopy as the removal procedure. RESULTS: A total of 345 children with FBA from six centers were included, 276 in the pre-COVID-19 years (average 69 per year) and 69 in the COVID-19 year. There was no difference in the prevalence of FBA between the COVID-19 year and any of the prior 4 years. Examining the lockdown effect, the monthly incidence of FBA dropped from a pre-COVID-19 average of 5.75 cases to 5.1 cases during lockdown periods and increased to 6.3 cases in postlockdown periods. No difference in the percentage of missed FB or proven FB was observed. There was a significant rise in the usage of flexible bronchoscopy as the removal procedure (average of 15.4% vs. 30.4%, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: There were fewer cases of pediatric FBA during lockdown periods, compared to post-lockdown periods, presumably related to better parental supervision, with no difference in the prevalence of FBA during the COVID-19 year.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Post mild COVID-19 dyspnea is poorly understood. We assessed physiologic limitations in these patients. METHODS: Patients with post mild COVID-19 dyspnea (group A) were compared (pulmonary function tests, 6-min walk test (6MWT), echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET)) to post moderate/severe COVID-19 (group B) and to CPET and spirometry of patients with unexplained dyspnea (group C). RESULTS: The study included 36 patients (13 in A, 9 in B and 14 in C). Diffusion capacity was lower in group B compared to group A (64 ± 8 vs. 85 ± 9% predicted, p = 0.014). 6MWT was normal and similar in both patient groups. Oxygen uptake was higher in group A compared to groups B and C (108 ± 14 vs. 92 ± 13 and 91 ± 23% predicted, p = 0.013, 0.03, respectively). O2 pulse was normal in all three groups but significantly higher in the mild group compared to the control group. Breathing reserve was low/borderline in 2/13 patients in the mild group, 2/9 in the moderate/severe group and 3/14 in the control group (NS). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with post mild COVID-19 dyspnea had normal CPET, similar to patients with unexplained dyspnea. Other mechanisms should be investigated and the added value of CPET to patients with post mild COVID-19 dyspnea is questionable.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Following the opening of lockdown and relaxation of public health restrictions, an unusual surge of respiratory illness occurred during the spring/summer (Q2) 2021 season. We aimed to characterize this surge compared to previous years. METHODS: Children discharged from a single tertiary hospital for respiratory illness or selected noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) between 2015 and 2021 were included, and hospitalization rates were compared. To evaluate whether the current respiratory surge resembles a typical winter, characteristics of the second quarter (Q2, April-June) of 2021 were compared to parallel seasons and to autumn/winter (Q4, October-December) of the previous years. RESULTS: Respiratory illness showed a seasonal peak, while the pattern of NCD was consistent throughout the study period. Respiratory illnesses showed a delayed surge in Q2 2021 (389 patients), with a missing seasonal peak in Q2 and Q4 2020 (135 and 119 patients, respectively). There were more cases of croup in Q2 2021 compared to Q2 and Q4 2015-2019 (26.2 vs. 12.5% and 15.8%, p < 0.001), fewer cases of pneumonia (5.9 vs. 15.9% and 11.7%, p < 0.001), lower admission rates (22.4 vs. 36.3% and 31.5%, p < 0.001), and fewer hypoxemia during hospitalization (6.3 vs. 11.7% and 10%, p < 0.001). Additionally, lower use of antibiotics (6.2 vs. 12.3% and 10.3%, p = 0.001 and 0.012, respectively) and higher use of steroids (33.7 vs. 24.8% and 28.3%, p < 0.001 and 0.034, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The postponed increase in respiratory morbidity after lockdown had unique characteristics, with upper respiratory illness predominating and fewer hospitalizations. Follow-up is needed to assess the altered epidemiological patterns of respiratory diseases in the post-COVID era.