Mortality risk factors among critically ill children with MIS-C in PICUs: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated of clinical characteristics, outcomes, and mortality risk factors of a severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children admitted to a the pediatric intensive care unit. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted between March 2020 and April 2021 at 41 PICUs in Turkey. The study population comprised 322 children diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome. RESULTS: The organ systems most commonly involved were the cardiovascular and hematological systems. Intravenous immunoglobulin was used in 294 (91.3%) patients and corticosteroids in 266 (82.6%). Seventy-five (23.3%) children received therapeutic plasma exchange treatment. Patients with a longer duration of the PICU stay had more frequent respiratory, hematological, or renal involvement, and also had higher D-dimer, CK-MB, and procalcitonin levels. A total of 16 patients died, with mortality higher in patients with renal, respiratory, or neurological involvement, with severe cardiac impairment or shock. The non-surviving group also had higher leukocyte counts, lactate and ferritin levels, and a need for mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of MIS-C, high levels of D-dimer and CK-MB are associated with a longer duration of PICU stay. Non-survival correlates with elevated leukocyte counts and lactate and ferritin levels. We were unable to show any positive effect of therapeutic plasma exchange therapy on mortality. IMPACT: MIS-C is a life-threatening condition. Patients need to be followed up in the intensive care unit. Early detection of factors associated with mortality can improve outcomes. Determining the factors associated with mortality and length of stay will help clinicians in patient management. High D-dimer and CK-MB levels were associated with longer PICU stay, and higher leukocyte counts, ferritin and lactate levels, and mechanical ventilation were associated with mortality in MIS-C patients. We were unable to show any positive effect of therapeutic plasma exchange therapy on mortality.

COVID-19 Disease in Presenting to the Pediatric Emergency Department: A Multicenter Study of 8886 Cases.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and radiologic data of children with SARS-CoV-2 positivity by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) together with treatment strategies and clinical outcomes and to evaluate cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in this population. METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective observational cohort study performed in the pediatric emergency departments of 19 tertiary hospitals. From March 11, 2020, to May 31, 2021, children who were diagnosed with confirmed nasopharyngeal/tracheal specimen SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity or positivity for serum-specific antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were included. Demographics, presence of chronic illness, symptoms, history of contact with SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive individuals, laboratory and radiologic investigations, clinical severity, hospital admissions, and prognosis were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 8886 cases were included. While 8799 (99.0%) cases resulted in a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 with PCR positivity, 87 (1.0%) patients were diagnosed with MIS-C. Among SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive patients, 51.0% were male and 8.5% had chronic illnesses. The median age was 11.6 years (IQR: 5.0-15.4) and 737 (8.4%) patients were aged <1 year. Of the patients, 15.5% were asymptomatic. The most common symptoms were fever (48.5%) and cough (30.7%) for all age groups. There was a decrease in the rate of fever as age increased (p < 0.001); the most common age group for this symptom was <1 year with the rate of 69.6%. There was known contact with a SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive individual in 67.3% of the cases, with household contacts in 71.3% of those cases. In terms of clinical severity, 83 (0.9%) patients were in the severe-critical group. There was hospital admission in 1269 (14.4%) cases, with 106 (1.2%) of those patients being admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Among patients with MIS-C, 60.9% were male and the median age was 6.4 years (IQR: 3.9-10.4). Twelve (13.7%) patients presented with shock. There was hospital admission in 89.7% of these cases, with 29.9% of the patients with MIS-C being admitted to the PICU. CONCLUSION: Most SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive patients presented with a mild clinical course. Although rare, MIS-C emerges as a serious consequence with frequent PICU admission. Further understanding of the characteristics of COVID-19 disease could provide insights and guide the development of therapeutic strategies for target groups.

Increased Severe Cases and New-Onset Type 1 Diabetes Among Children Presenting With Diabetic Ketoacidosis During First Year of COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey

Introduction There have been some significant changes regarding healthcare utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Majority of the reports about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on diabetes care are from the first wave of the pandemic. We aim to evaluate the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the severity of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and new onset Type 1 diabetes presenting with DKA, and also evaluate children with DKA and acute COVID-19 infection. Methods This is a retrospective multi-center study among 997 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes who were admitted with DKA to 27 pediatric intensive care units in Turkey between the first year of pandemic and pre-pandemic year. Results The percentage of children with new-onset Type 1 diabetes presenting with DKA was higher during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.0001). The incidence of severe DKA was also higher during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.0001) and also higher among children with new onset Type 1 diabetes (p < 0.0001). HbA1c levels, duration of insulin infusion, and length of PICU stay were significantly higher/longer during the pandemic period. Eleven patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, eight were positive for new onset Type 1 diabetes, and nine tested positive for severe DKA at admission. Discussion The frequency of new onset of Type 1 diabetes and severe cases among children with DKA during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the cause of the increased severe presentation might be related to restrictions related to the pandemic;however, need to evaluate the potential effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the increased percentage of new onset Type 1 diabetes.

COVID-19 Transmission and Clinical Features in Pediatric Intensive Care Health Care Workers.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate modes of transmission and clinical features of coronavirus disease 2019 in healthcare workers in pediatric intensive care units. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter descriptive study was conducted between March and November 2020. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, origin of coronavirus disease 2019, treatment modalities, and loss of workdays were recorded. RESULTS: Seven hundred and sixty-eight healthcare workers from 16 pediatric intensive care units were enrolled and 114 (14.8%) healthcare workers with a mean age of 29.7 ± 6.7 years became coronavirus disease 2019 patients. Seventy-six (66.7%) patients were female. Approximately half (54.3%) of the patients were physicians, 34.2% were nurses, and 11.4% were ancillary staff. Transmission was deemed to occur through patient contact in 54.3% of the patients. Comorbid illness was present 10.5% of the patients. Transmission occurred during endotracheal intubation in 21%, cardiopulmonary resuscitation in 9.6%, and non-invasive ventilation in 12.2% of patients, while transmission was a result of multiple possible procedures in 43.8%. Intensive care admission was needed for 13.1% of the patients. Five patients needed oxygen by cannula, 7 needed oxygen with a non-rebreathing mask, 5 needed high-flow nasal cannula support, 5 needed non-invasive ventilation, and 3 needed invasive mechanical ventilation. Fortunately, no infected healthcare workers died. CONCLUSION: Coronavirus disease 2019 in healthcare workers is a significant problem in pediatric intensive care units. Transmission seems to occur particularly frequently during patient care procedures such as intubation, ventilation and aerosol therapy, which highlights the importance of proper use of full sets of personal protective equipment during all procedures during care of coronavirus disease 2019 patients.

SARS-CoV-2 associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). A single center's experience.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a newly defined clinical entity in pediatric ages resembles Kawasaki Disease or toxic shock syndrome. Here we aimed to raise awareness about this SARS-CoV-2 related syndrome. METHODS: Children diagnosed with MIS-C and followed in Pediatric Clinic between November 2020 and January 2021, were included in study. Data about patients' demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory findings, treatment and outcomes were collected from medical records. RESULTS: The median age of 20 children with MIS-C was 80.5 months, 11 of them were male. The most common symptoms at admission were fever (100%), abdominal pain (70%), myalgia (50%), and rash (50%). Lymphopenia, elevated inflammatory markers and cardiac enzymes were their main laboratory findings. Cardiac involvement (90%) consisted of myopericarditis, valvulitis, left ventricular dysfunction, and coronary arteritis. Symptoms mimicking acute appendicitis and ileus were due to gastrointestinal involvement (50%). Macular rash on the trunk, erythema on upper eyelids were striking. Empiric antibiotics and intravenous immunoglobulin were used in all patients, glucocorticoids (90%), anti-thrombotic (65%) and vasoactive (45%) agents were used according to severity of disease. Response to IVIG treatment was poor, whereas glucocorticoids have dramatic affect. Seven patients (35%) were monitored in intensive care unit, none of them required intubation, mechanic ventilation or ECMO. The median recovery time, that is, the period when fever subside and inflammatory markers returned to normal was 9.5 days. CONCLUSIONS: Glucocorticoids has critical role in treatment of MIS-C, early recognition and treatment may decrease need for intensive care by providing rapid recovery.

VIRAL ETIOLOGY AND OUTCOME OF SEVERE LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS AMONG CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN ADMITTED TO THE PICU.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the viral etiology of severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), their clinical significance and prognosis among critically ill children. DESIGN: A prospective descriptive study was carried out. SETTING: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Istanbul Medeniyet University, Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. PATIENTS: A total of 115 patients hospitalized in the PICU were evaluated for inclusion in the study. Children with underlying comorbidities and those who did not require mechanical ventilation were excluded. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Demographic, clinical, laboratory test and radiographic data were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 63 patients were eligible for the study. The most common diagnosis was bronchiolitis (57.1%). Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most frequent causal virus (36.5%). The most common complication was acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (28.6%). Multiple viral infection was identified in 20.6% of the patients, the most common in this subgroup being rhinovirus. Patients with bocavirus infection had a higher likelihood of needing invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) at presentation. Children who died were likely to be < 12 months old, have ARDS, hepatitis, pneumomediastinum, multiple viral infection, and required IMV support with an increased duration of MV. Additionally, they were found to have a high Pediatric Risk of Mortality III score, Predicted Death Rate and increased need for inotropic support at admission. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed critically ill children with LRTI without known risk factors to have high mortality when aged < 12 months, in the presence of multiple agents and when certain complications (ARDS, hepatitis) and X-ray findings were identified.

Objetivo: determinar la etiología vírica de las infecciones graves de las vías respiratorias bajas (IGVRB), su importancia clínica y su pronóstico en niños críticamente enfermos.Diseño: estudio descriptivo prospectivo.Ámbito: unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos (UCIP) del Hospital Universitario y de Investigación Goztepe, Universidad Medeniyet de Estambul (Turquía).Pacientes y participantes: se evaluó a un total de 115 pacientes ingresados en la UCIP para su posible inclusión en el estudio. Se excluyó a los niños con comorbilidades subyacentes y a aquellos que no requerían ventilación mecánica.Variables de interés principales: se registraron datos demográficos, clínicos, de laboratorio y radiológicos de los pacientes.Resultados: un total de 63 pacientes eran elegibles para participar en el estudio. El diagnóstico más habitual era bronquiolitis (57,1%). El virus sinticial respiratorio era el más común de los virus (36,5%). La complicación más habitual era el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (SDRA) (28,6%). Se identificaron múltiples infecciones víricas en el 20,6% de los pacientes, siendo la infección por el rinovirus la más común en este subgrupo. Los pacientes con infección por bocavirus presentaban una mayor probabilidad de necesitar ventilación mecánica invasiva (VMI) en el momento de la presentación. Los niños que murieron tenían una mayor probabilidad de presentar: edad <12 meses, SDRA, hepatitis, neumomediastino, infección multiviral y requerir MVI, con una mayor duración de la VM. Además, se observó que presentaban unos valores altos de puntuación III del riesgo pediátrico de mortalidad y tasa de mortalidad predecida, además de necesidad apoyo inotrópico en el momento del ingreso.