Expert-opinion-based guidance for the care of children with lysosomal storage diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic: An experience-based Turkey perspective.

This expert-opinion-based document was prepared by a group of specialists in pediatric inherited metabolic diseases and infectious diseases including administrative board members of Turkish Society for Pediatric Nutrition and Metabolism to provide guidance for the care of children with lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. The experts reached consensus on key areas of focus regarding COVID-19-based risk status in relation to intersecting immune-inflammatory mechanisms and disease patterns in children with LSDs, diagnostic virus testing, particularly preventive measures and priorities during the pandemic, routine screening and diagnostic interventions for LSDs, psychological and socioeconomic impact of confinement measures and quarantines and optimal practice patterns in managing LSDs and/or COVID-19. The participating experts agreed on the intersecting characteristics of immune-inflammatory mechanisms, end-organ damage and prognostic biomarkers in LSD and COVID-19 populations, emphasizing the likelihood of enhanced clinical care when their interaction is clarified via further studies addressing certain aspects related to immunity, lysosomal dysfunction and disease pathogenesis. In the context of the current global COVID-19 pandemic, this expert-opinion-based document provides guidance for the care of children with LSDs during the COVID-19 pandemic based on the recent experience in Turkey.

Expert-opinion-based guidance for the care of children with lysosomal storage diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic: An experience-based Turkey perspective

This expert-opinion-based document was prepared by a group of specialists in pediatric inherited metabolic diseases and infectious diseases including administrative board members of Turkish Society for Pediatric Nutrition and Metabolism to provide guidance for the care of children with lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. The experts reached consensus on key areas of focus regarding COVID-19-based risk status in relation to intersecting immune-inflammatory mechanisms and disease patterns in children with LSDs, diagnostic virus testing, particularly preventive measures and priorities during the pandemic, routine screening and diagnostic interventions for LSDs, psychological and socioeconomic impact of confinement measures and quarantines and optimal practice patterns in managing LSDs and/or COVID-19. The participating experts agreed on the intersecting characteristics of immune-inflammatory mechanisms, end-organ damage and prognostic biomarkers in LSD and COVID-19 populations, emphasizing the likelihood of enhanced clinical care when their interaction is clarified via further studies addressing certain aspects related to immunity, lysosomal dysfunction and disease pathogenesis. In the context of the current global COVID-19 pandemic, this expert-opinion-based document provides guidance for the care of children with LSDs during the COVID-19 pandemic based on the recent experience in Turkey.

Distribution and Clinical Features of Viral Respiratory Infections in Children After Face-To-Face Education in 2021-2022 Winter Period: Journal of Pediatric Infection

The incidence in children is similar to that in adults but they generally have a lower risk of exposure and are tested less frequently than adults (3). Besides they are known to have milder diasese than adults. In this study, we evaluated a multiplex real-time PCR panel for the simultaneous detection of 21 types of respiratory viral pathogens (Influenza A, Influenza B, H1N1, human parainfluenza (PIV 1, PIV 2, PIV 3, PIV 4), human rhinovirus, human coronavirus (NL63-229E-OC43-HKU1), human metapneumovirus A/B, human bocavirus, human respiratory syncytial virus A/B, human adenovirus, human parechovirus, enterovirus) using Fast Tract Respiratory Pathogens 21 (Siemens Healthcareb GmbH, Germany) in nasopharyngeal specimens of the patients with respiratory tract infections. The study was conformed with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the local ethics committee and the Institutional Review Board of Gazi University Clinical Research in 2022/January. The respiratory viral multiplex PCR results of patients were as follows: 32.7% (n= 132) of patients were positive for COVID-19, 15.3% (n= 62) were positive for human respiratory syncytial viruses A/B (RSV), 8.7% (n= 35) were positive for rhinovirus, 6.4% (n= 26) were positive for influenza virus, 3.2% (n= 13) were positive for coronaviruses (HCoV), 3.2% (n= 13) were positive for bocavirus, 2.7% (n= 11) were positive for human parainfluenza virus, 2.2% (n= 9) were positive human-metap- neumovirus and 1.5% (n= 6) were positive for human adenovirus.

Croup as a Previously Unrecognized Symptom of COVID-19 in Infants.

Although the most common symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children are fever and cough, cases of croup associated with COVID-19 are reported in the literature and have increased sharply with the Omicron variant. We present severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 as a viral agent in an infant presenting with croup.

From asymptomatic to critical illness - different clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in children

The global pandemic infectious disease that was named the new coronavirus disease (COVID 19), spread throughout the world, causing a major public health emergency. The causative virus of COVID-19, called SARS CoV-2, can infect all age groups. Various clinical signs and symptoms have been observed in neonates, children, and adolescents during the COVID-19 outbreak. The clinical manifestations of COVID-19 might be different due to the medical conditions and comorbid status in elderly and pediatric patients. The rise in cases among children has been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although infected children generally appear to be asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms, COVID-19 in children may also involve a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic carriers to life-threatening and fatal diseases, as COVID-19 is a systemic disease that can affect multiple organs. Due to the lack of knowledge in the current literature, it is necessary to describe the atypical clinical features, including extrapulmonary manifestations, in pediatric patients with COVID-19. This review is conducted to identify knowledge gaps regarding the broad spectrum of clinical signs and symptoms of children with COVID-19.

Alteration in vaccination rates and an evaluation of physicians' perceptions of the possible impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on childhood vaccinations in Ankara, Turkey.

Vaccination is the most effective and cost-efficient approach to protect both individual and community health. Decreased vaccination rates have been reported in many countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we compared the vaccination rates of the current year with those of the same period of 2019 in Ankara and presented the physicians' thoughts about effects of COVID-19 pandemic on vaccinations in Turkey. An online survey was sent to family practitioners, pediatricians, and pediatric infectious disease specialists to ascertain their thoughts on vaccination during the pandemic. A majority of family practitioners stated that, despite hesitations, families brought their children for vaccination. They noted that vaccination should be emphasized, physicians should be supported by health authorities, and all related media and social media channels should be used to promote maintaining vaccinations. In contrast, pediatricians and pediatric infectious disease specialists were of the opinion that families were expressing greater hesitation and would not bring their children for vaccination. Vaccination rates in Ankara have decreased 2-5% during the pandemic, and the greatest decrease was observed for vaccines administered after 18 months of age. Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases can threaten community health worldwide. Thus, vaccinations must continue, and effective regulations and recommendations need to be implemented by healthcare authorities to promote it.

Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in children

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was firstly reported at the end of 2019. The disease rapidly spread all around the world in a few months and was declared a worldwide pandemic by WHO in March 2020. By April 9, there were 1,436,198 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the world, nearly with 6% mortality rate. This novel infectious disease causes respiratory tract illness that may generally occur as mild upper respiratory tract disease or pneumonia. In older patients and/or patients with underlying conditions, it may result in acute respiratory distress syndrome, multi organ failure and even death. According to the current literature, children account approximately for 1%­5% of diagnosed COVID-19 cases. Generally, COVID-19 seems to be a less severe disease for children than adults. Approximately 90% of pediatric patients are diagnosed as asymptomatic, mild, or moderate disease. However, up to 6.7% of cases may be severe. Severe illness is generally seen in patients smaller than 1 year of age and patients who have underlying disesases. The epidemiological and clinical patterns of COVID-19 and treatment approaches in pediatric patients still remain unclear although many pediatric reports are published. This review aims to summarize the current epidemics, clinical presentations, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19 in pediatric patients.

Vertical transmission of SARS CoV-2: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to review the current evidence on the vertical transmission of SARS CoV-2. METHODS: Combination of the following keywords; COVID-19, SARS CoV-2, placenta, vertical transmission, intrauterine infection, breast milk were searched in databases. RESULTS: In the 50 studies included, 17 newborns testing positive for SARS CoV-2 by RT-PCR were reported. In three neonates, SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM levels were elevated. Eight placental tissues testing positive for the virus were reported. Three positive RT-PCR results of test of breast milk have been reported recently. One amniotic fluid testing positive was reported. CONCLUSION: Possible vertical transmission of SARS CoV-2 has been observed in some studies currently. More RT-PCR tests on amniotic fluid, placenta, breast milk and cord blood are required.