ABSTRACT
: Chest pain in children is a common complaint;however, it is rarely due to underlying cardiac illness. This underscores the importance of avoiding a false sense of safety in low-risk causes and maintaining vigilance for potential life-threatening etiologies. Taking into account age of the child and level of family anxiety (often due to adult family members with significant cardiac illness) and a stepwise approach are essential in evaluation of this symptom. Broad etiologies of chest pain include idiopathic, musculoskeletal, psychologic, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, and cardiac. Specific questions targeted at red flag symptoms can assist providers in ensuring that risk factors for cardiac arrest are assessed. COVID-19 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) are newer causes of chest pain to be aware of. However, the cause of a complaint can be multifactorial and a thoughtful history, physical examination, and targeted work-up as needed are of utmost importance.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Several studies describing Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported; however, to our knowledge, no case series has been published from the Midwest. OBJECTIVE: To describe demographic characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted with COVID-19 to a Wisconsin academic medical center. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of data obtained for COVID-19 patients admitted from March 14, 2020, through April 19, 2020. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-eight patients were admitted. Outcomes measured include time in the intensive care unit (53%), mechanical ventilation (18%), and death (19%). ICU patients had higher rates of diabetes, obesity, and higher inflammatory markers. The majority of patients admitted were African American (68%). CONCLUSION: This case series highlights demographic similarities and differences, as well as outcomes, among COVID-19 patients in a Wisconsin Academic Medical Center compared to those reported in other geographic regions.