Cat allergy in children and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Cat allergen is among the most common household allergens and can cause respiratory allergies and anaphylaxis in children. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of cat allergies in children and the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on these characteristics. Methods: The study included pediatric patients with cat allergen sensitization demonstrated by skin-prick test (SPT) over a period of 2 years: 1 year before and 1 year during the pandemic. Demographic data, clinical features, and laboratory findings were evaluated from the patients' records. Results: Of 7428 SPTs performed, 566 patients (7.6%) were sensitized to cat allergen (56% boys; median age, 11 years). Fifty-eight percent of the patients (n = 329) presented during the pandemic period, 44.5% (n = 252) had symptoms with cat exposure, and 9% (n = 51/566) had anaphylaxis. Allergic rhinitis and asthma were present in 76% (n = 431) and 46.6% (n = 264) of the patients, respectively. When compared to prepandemic period, patients who presented during the pandemic had higher rates of cat sensitization (15% in pandemic group versus 4.4% in prepandemic group of all SPTs performed; p < 0.05), cat ownership (29.1% versus 13.9%; p < 0.001), and symptoms on cat exposure (51% versus 34%; p < 0.001). Factors that predicted symptom development in the patients who were cat sensitized were induration > 5 mm on SPT (odds ratio [OR] 1.9 [95% confidence interval {95% CI}], 1.1-3.2), cat ownership (OR 9.2 [95% CI, 4.9-17.3]), close contact with a cat owner (OR 7.1 [95% CI, 4-12]), allergic rhinitis (OR 3.1 [95% CI, 1.6-5.8]), conjunctivitis (OR 4.7 [95% CI, 2-10]), and atopic dermatitis (OR 2.2 [95% CI, 1-4.7]). Conclusion: We observed an increase in the prevalence of cat allergy among children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Care must be taken in terms of anaphylaxis in patients who were cat sensitized.

Evaluation of Psychiatric Symptoms in 2-5 Years Old Children Who Are Followed and Treated with the Diagnosis of Wheezing during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Levels of Mothers

Objective: The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of children and adults is a candidate to be one of the most current issues in healthcare in the near future. This study aimed to determine the clinical course of patients diagnosed with wheezing, to make emotional, behavioral, social, and psychiatric evaluations, and to investigate the possible effect of the pandemic on disease follow-up and treatment by evaluating the psychiatric conditions of their mothers. Material and Methods: The study included 58 patients diagnosed with a wheezy infant aged 2-5 years. Data regarding the sociodemographic characteristics and wheezing history of the patients were recorded. 'Test for Respiratory and Asthma Control in Kids (TRACK)' was applied to evaluate their current clinical condition. For psychiatric evaluation, the 'Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ)' was applied to the patients, and the 'Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS 21)' and 'The Brief Resilience Scale (BRS)' were administered to their mothers. Results: In our study, it was observed that our patients experienced emotional, behavioral, peer, and social problems at varying rates (17-43%) during the pandemic period. It was especially noteworthy that emotional problems were seen more frequently in girls. It has been shown that there is a positive relationship between depression scores in mothers and SDQ Total Scores of their children. On the other hand, it was observed that current disease control status, hospitalization history, and whether or not being symptomatic during the pandemic period did not contribute to mental impairment in mothers. Conclusion: The detection of high overall difficulty scores in children of mothers with high depression scores indicates that there is a need to evaluate maternal and child mental health together. Psychological influence is multifactorial and varies between societies. There is a need for studies on a larger scale that take familial and individual variables into account. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR] Amaç: COVÍD-19'un çocukların ve yetişkinlerin ruh sağlığı üzerindeki etkisi, yakın gelecekte sağlık hizmetlerinde en güncel sorunlardan biri olmaya adaydır. Bu çalışma ile hışıltılı çocuk tanılı hastaların pandemi dönemindeki klinik seyirlerini belirlemek, duygusal, davranışsal, sosyal ve psikiyatrik değerlendirmelerini yapmak, ayrıca annelerinin de psikiyatrik durumlarını değerlendirerek pandeminin hastalık takip ve tedavisi üzerine olan olası etkisinin araştırmak amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışmaya 2-5 yaş arası 58 hışıltılı çocuk tanılı hasta dahil edildi. Hastaların sosyodemografik özellikleri ve hışıltı geçmişlerine ait veriler kaydedildi. Güncel klinik durumlarını değerlendirmek üzere Çocuklar Íçin Solunum ve Astım Kontrol Testi uygulandı. Psikiyatrik değerlendirme amacıyla hastalara Güçler ve Güçlükler Anketi (SDQ), annelerine ise Depresyon Anksiyete Stres Ölçeği 21 (DASS 21) ve Kısa Psikolojik Sağlamlık Testi uygulandı. Bulgular: Çalışmamızda pandemi döneminde hastalarımızın değişen oranlarda (%17-43) duygusal, davranış, hiperaktivite, akran ve sosyal açılardan problem yaşadığı gözlemlenmiştir. Kız çocuklarda duygusal problemlerin daha sık görülmesi özellikle dikkat çekmiştir. Annelerdeki depresyon skorları ile çocuklarının SDQ toplam skorları arasında pozitif ilişki olduğu gösterilmiştir. Buna karşılık güncel hastalık kontrol durumunun, hospitalizasyon öyküsünün ve pandemi döneminde semptomatik olup olmamanın annelerde mental etkilenmeye katkıda bulunmadığı gözlenmiştir. Sonuç: Depresyon puanı yüksek olan annelerin çocuklarında genel güçlük puanlarının yüksek saptanması, anne ve çocuk ruh sağlığının birlikte değerlendirilmesine ihtiyaç olduğunu göstermektedir. Psikolojik etki çok faktörlüdür ve toplumlar arasında farklılık gösterir. Bu konuda ailesel ve bireysel değişkenlerin göz önüne alındığı daha büyük ölçekli gelecek çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır. (Turkish) [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Pediatric Disease / Cocuk Hastaliklari Dergisi is the property of Turkish Journal of Pediatric Disease and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Change in Allergy Practice during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: International guidelines in asthma and allergy has been updated for COVID-19 pandemic and pandemic has caused dramatic changes in allergy and immunology services. However, it is not known whether specialty-specific recommendations for COVID-19 are followed by allergists. OBJECTIVES: By conducting this study, we aimed to determine the attitudes and experiences of adult/pediatric allergists on allergy management during COVID-19. METHOD: We used a 20-question survey to elicit data from allergists (residents and pediatric and adult allergists registered to the Turkish National Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology) across Turkey via e-mail. We analyzed the data statistically for frequency distributions and descriptive analysis. RESULTS: A total of 183 allergists participated in the survey. Telemedicine was used for management of asthma (73%), allergic rhinitis (53%), atopic dermatitis (51%), chronic urticaria/angioedema (59%), drug hypersensitivity (45%), food allergy (48%), venom allergy (30%), anaphylaxis (22%), and hereditary angioedema (28%). Thirty-one percent of the respondents discontinued subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirty-four percent of the physicians reported interruption of systemic steroid use in asthma patients, and 25% of the respondents discontinued biological therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Allergists in Turkey have been using telemedicine at a high rate during the COVID-19 pandemic for asthma and rhinitis. The continuation rate of SCIT was low while the discontinuation rate of biologicals and systemic steroid use in asthma was high in Turkey.Our study results and learning from the experiences of other countries and specialties may help to optimize allergy practice and compatibility with international guidelines.