ABSTRACT
COVID-19 has a risk of thrombotic complications. Serotonin plays an important role in pathogenesis of thrombosis. Purpose. To evaluate level of serotonin and its metabolite in the blood of children with COVID-19. Methods. This study included 72 children aged 3 to 17 years. Of these, 43 patients (mean age 11.2 +/- 4.8 years) diagnosed with COVID-19 without comorbidities made up the study group, 29 healthy children (mean age 11.8 +/- 3.8 years) - the control group. Concentration of serotonin and its metabolite (5-HIAA) in the blood was determined using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Computed tomography data were used to determine severity of lung damage. Results. In our study children with COVID-19 aged 3 to 17 years had significantly higher serotonin and its metabolite levels compared to the control group. Concentration of serotonin in plasma in main group was 20-30 times higher than in the same-age control. The 5-HIAA/serotonin ratio in children with COVID-19 is significantly lower than in the control group. Levels of serotonin and 5-HIAA in children with COVID-19 depending on the severity of CT-scan lung damage showed no significant differences. Conclusion. Serotonin and its metabolite levels in plasma of children with COVID-19 is significantly increased. It may be related to platelet hyperactivation in SARS-CoV-2 infection and increased risk of thrombosis, which requires further research. Copyright © 2022 National Academy of Pediatric Science and Innovation. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Objective. To describe clinical and laboratory features of COVID-19 in children admitted to the hospital. Children characteristics and research methods. The authors carried out a retrospective observational study, which included 204 children admitted to the Kazan hospital with a diagnosis of “new coronavirus infection” in the period from May 1 to October 30, 2020. Results. It was revealed that all hospitalized children had RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (100%) in a smear from the nasopharynx and oropharynx detected by PCR and only 50% of patients were diagnosed with lung tissue lesions by computed tomography. The clinical picture of COVID-19 in children most often corresponds to the classic manifestations of a respiratory viral infection. Risk factors for the development of severe forms, described in adults, were recorded only in isolated cases in our study. Conclusion. The clinical picture of COVID-19 in children most often corresponds to the classic manifestations of a respiratory viral infection. Risk factors for the development of severe forms, described in adults, were recorded in isolated cases in our study. © 2021 National Academy of Pediatric Science and Innovation. All rights reserved.