Thrombotic events in children and adolescent patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic review with meta-analysis on incidence and management.

OBJECTIVES: The present paper aimed to study the available literature on the hypercoagulability state of pediatric patients affected by COVID-19, and the current management of thrombosis in these patients, considering that no guidelines have been published since now in this age group. METHODS: N 244 titles were screened using the selected MESH words, 180 abstracts and 120 full texts were read, 12 articles were included, and four were analyzed by meta-analysis. RESULTS: Over 1128 COVID-19 positive patients, nearly half of them developed inflammatory sequelae, and 7.35% (40 patients over 544 who developed MIS-C) had thrombotic events. Less than 50% of patients with inflammatory disease were under anticoagulant prophylactic treatment, and doses of anticoagulant protocols vary from different centers. Thrombotic events prevented after the start of unfractionated heparin (UFH) therapy, even if 1.06% (4 patients) died. Only two patients presented complications after anticoagulant treatment, with non-fatal bleeding after UFH treatment. No other complications were reported. No difference in the incidence of thrombotic events between patients under prophylactic low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and those without was found in meta-analysis (p = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: Little is known on the incidence and management of hyper coagulopathy in pediatric COVID-19 infection. Further studies have to clarify this topic.

Neonates Born to COVID-19 Mother and Risk in Management within 4 Weeks of Life: A Single-Center Experience, Systematic Review, and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The new coronavirus infection from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been recognized as a global public health emergency, and neonates may be more vulnerable due to their immature immune system. The first aim of this study was to report our experience on the management of neonates from mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection focusing on a 28-day follow-up since birth. The second aim is to assess how many data on neonatal outcomes of the first month of life are reported in literature, performing a systematic review and meta-analysis. STUDY DESIGN: We report our experience based on routine management of neonates born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection and follow-up until 28 days of life. RESULTS: In our experience at discharge, 1/48 (2.08%) of entrusted (mother refusing personal protective equipment) and none of separated presented positive nasopharyngeal swab (p = NS). All babies show good outcome at 28 days of life. The literature data show that the percentage of positive separated infants is significantly higher than the percentage of infants entrusted to positive mothers with appropriate control measures (13.63 vs. 2.4%; p = 0.0017). Meta-analysis of studies focused on follow-up showed a 2.94% higher risk of incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in entrusted newborns than in separated newborns (95% confidence interval: 0.39-22.25), but this was not significant (p = 0.30). CONCLUSION: A vertical transmission in utero cannot be totally excluded. Since in newborns, the disease is often ambiguous with mild or absent symptoms, it is important to define the most efficient joint management for infants born to COVID-19 positive mothers, being aware that the risk of horizontal transmission from a positive mother, when protective measures are applied, does not seem to increase the risk of infection or to affect the development of newborns from birth to first four weeks of life, and encourages the benefits of breastfeeding and skin-to-skin practice. KEY POINTS: · Entrusting the newborn to the positive mother does not increase the risk of infection.. · Our follow-up shows that newborns have good growth and outcome at one month of life.. · Applying protective measures we suggest breastfeeding and skin-to-skin practice..