ABSTRACT
Introduction: The true incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and young people (CYP) is unclear and data are influenced by testing strategies. CYP have so far accounted for 17.5- 22% of diagnosed infections. In adults, diabetes was identified as risk factor for severe symptoms and hospitalization with the COVID-19. Eighteen months into the pandemic, studies in CYP with type 1 diabetes (T1D) reported only an increased prevalence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at T1D onset. Objective(s): To investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in CYP with T1D. Method(s): SARS-CoV-2 infection was defined according to self-reported previous SARS-CoV-2 nasal swab PCR results in 210 CYP followed during 18 months of the pandemic and seroprevalence of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein assessed in 85 CYP (previous negative nasal swab PCR or never performed) from January to June 2021, before COVID-19 vaccination era. SARS-CoV-2 IgG were assessed using a chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). Data on clinical characteristics as well as glycemic control were collected before (T0) and 3-months after (T1) infection. Result(s): SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected in 39 patients (males 61.5%;median age 13.5 and T1D duration 5.49 yrs.) during second and third wave: 26 (66.6%) based on the self-reported nasal swab PCR results and 13 (33.4%) on the SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay. All patients detected by CLIA were asymptomatic. Four patients detected by nasal swab PCR were asymptomatic (15.4%). Other patients reported >=1 symptoms lasting a median of 5 days and including: fever (46.1%), headache (28.2%), anosmia and/or ageusia (25.6%), nasal congestion (15.4%), and fatigue/myalgia (10.2%). Dry cough, pharyngeal erythema, nausea and/or vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and arthralgia were less reported (2.56%). None had dyspnea, skin lesion, and MIS-C. Hospitalizations, DKA, and severe hypoglycemic events were not recorded. Glycemic control was not impaired from T0 to T1 (see Table). Conclusion(s): We found evidence for increased prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among CYP with T1D using antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein assessment. Asymptomatic subjects were 43%. COVID-19 pandemic had no impact on glycemic control and acute complications. Our data suggest that serological assay is useful to diagnose previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in not vaccinated CYP and to reconstruct the disease prevalence.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: In youths with type 1 diabetes (T1D), diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at onset increased during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. In adults, diabetes was identified as risk factor for severe symptoms and hospitalization with the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in children and adolescents with T1D Methods: SARS-CoV-2 infection was defined according to selfreported SARS-CoV-2 nasal swab PCR results (n=210) during the pandemic and seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (n=85) from Jan to Jun-21. SARS-CoV-2 IgG were assessed using a chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). Clinical characteristics and glycemic control data were collected before (T0) and 3-months after (T1) infection Results: SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected in 39 patients [24 males;median age 13.5 yrs (4.74-19.8);T1D duration 5.49 yrs (0.27-12.6)]: 26 (66.6%) based on positive nasal swab PCR and 13 (33.4%) on positive SARS-CoV-2 IgG. Patients detected by CLIA were asymptomatic. Four patients detected by nasal swab PCR were asymptomatic (15.4%), while the others reported ≥1 symptoms lasting a median of 5 days: fever (46.1%), headache (28.2%), anosmia and/or ageusia (25.6%), nasal congestion (15.4%), fatigue/myalgia (10.2%). Dry cough, pharyngeal erythema, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, arthralgia were reported by 2.56%. Glycemic control was not impaired from T0 to T1 (median HbA1c 58.5 vs 57.4 mmol/mol;TIR 58.5 vs 56.5%). Hospitalization and DKA were not recorded Conclusions: Using seroprevalence of antibodies we found an increased prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection that had no impact on glycemic control and acute complications. Asymptomatic subjects were 43%, while fever, headache, anosmia/ageusia were the most common clinical characteristics. Our data suggest that serological assay is useful to diagnosing previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and could be used to reconstruct the disease prevalence.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 was declared to be a pandemic due to the rapid increase of cases around the world, including the number of pregnant women. Data about vertical transmission of COVID-19 are still limited and controversial: in most cases, although a positive mother, the virus could not be isolated in amniotic fluid, cord blood, breast milk or neonatal throat swab in these patients. No data have been published about possible intrauterine sonographic signs of infection. A pregnant woman was diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 at 35 t5 weeks of gestation and managed conservatively at home. At transabdominal ultrasound at 38+3 weeks, fetal bowel and gallbladder calcifications were noted. CMV and other infectious agents were ruled out an iterative caesarean section was performed at 38+5 weeks without complications. Placenta resulted negative for SARS-CoV-2;the umbilical cord blood sample was IgG positive and IgM negative as per maternal infection. The baby developed respiratory distress syndrome requiring endotracheal surfactant administration and nasal-CPAP for one day but nasopharyngeal swabs at birth and after 48 hours were SARS-CoV-2 negative. Neonatal abdominal ultrasound showed normal liver, acalculous gallbladder with mild parietal thickening. The baby was discharged in good conditions. Although gallbladder calcifications and echogenic bowel are highly suspicious of viral infection and were thought to be due to the vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2, these findings were not corroborated by the results of our diagnostic tests;these sonographic findings might represent a false positive of fetal infection in mother affected by COVID-19 since vertical transmission appears to be rare.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 was declared pandemic due to the rapid increase of cases around the world, including the number of pregnant women. Data about vertical transmission of Covid-19 are still limited and controversial: in most cases, although a positive mother, the virus could not be isolated in amniotic fluid, cord blood, breast milk or neonatal throat swab in these patients. No data have been published about possible intrauterine sonographic signs of infection. CASE PRESENTATION: A pregnant woman was diagnosed with SARS-CoV2 at 35+5 weeks of gestation and managed conservatively at home. At transabdominal ultrasound at 38+3 weeks, fetal bowel and gallbladder calcifications were noted. CMV and other infectious agents were ruled out;an iterative Caesarean Section was performed at 38+5 weeks without complications. Placenta resulted negative for SARS-CoV-2;the umbilical cord blood sample was IgG positive and IgM negative as per maternal infection. The baby developed respiratory distress syndrome requiring endotracheal surfactant administration and nasal-CPAP for one day but nasopharyngeal swabs at birth and after 48 hours were SARS-Cov2 negative. Neonatal abdominal ultrasound showed normal liver, acalculous gallbladder with mild parietal thickening. The baby was discharged in good conditions. CONCLUSIONS: although gallbladder calcifications and echogenic bowel are highly suspicious of viral infection and were thought to be due to the vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2, these findings were not corroborated by the results of our diagnostic tests;these sonographic findings might represent a false positive of fetal infection in mother affected by COVID-19 since vertical transmission appears to be rare.