Association of SARS-CoV-2 Infection with Neurological Symptoms and Neuroimaging Manifestations in the Pediatric Population: A Systematic Review (preprint)

Background Neurological manifestations have been widely reported in adults with COVID-19, yet the extent of involvement among the pediatric population is currently poorly characterized. The objective of our systematic review is to evaluate the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection with neurological symptoms and neuroimaging manifestations in the pediatric population.Methods A literature search of Cochrane Library; EBSCO CINAHL; Global Index Medicus; OVID AMED, Embase, Medline, PsychINFO; and Scopus was conducted in accordance with the Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies form (October 1, 2019 to March 15, 2022). Studies were included if they reported (1) COVID-19-associated neurological symptoms and neuroimaging manifestations in individuals aged < 18 years with a confirmed, first SARS-CoV-2 infection and were (2) peer-reviewed. Full-text reviews of 222 retrieved articles were performed, along with subsequent reference searches.Results A total of 843 nonduplicate records were retrieved. Of the 19 identified studies, there were ten retrospective observational studies, seven case series, one case report, and one prospective cohort study. A total of 6,985 individuals were included, where 12.8% of hospitalized patients experienced neurocognitive impairments: MIS-C (24.2%), neuroinflammation (10.1%), and encephalopathy (8.1%) were the most common disorders; headaches (16.8%) and seizures (3.8%) were the most common symptoms. Based on pediatric-specific cohorts, children experienced more drowsiness (7.3% vs. 1.3%) and muscle weakness (7.3% vs. 6.3%) as opposed to adolescents. Agitation or irritability was observed more in children (7.3%) than infants (1.3%).Conclusion Our findings revealed a high prevalence of immune-mediated patterns of disease among COVID-19 positive pediatric patients with neurocognitive abnormalities.

The National and Global Impact of Systemic and Structural Violence on the Effective Prevention, Treatment and Management of COVID-19 in the African/Black Population: a Scoping Review Protocol (preprint)

Background: As the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to ravage the globe and cases exploded rapidly, countries have been presented with challenging policy choices to contain the spread of COVID-19. In Canada, and globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has added a new stratum to the debate concerning the root causes of global and racial health inequities and disparities. Individuals who exist as targets of systemic inequities are not only more susceptible to contracting COVID-19, but they are also more likely to bear the greatest extent of the subsequent economic pandemic. Therefore, data collection that specifically focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on the lives and health of African/Black communities nationally and globally is needed to develop intersectional, culturally-relative, anti-racist/anti-oppression, empowerment-centered interventions and social policies to increase more efficient ways to support heterogeneous African/Black communities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.The primary objective of this review is to investigate the impact and management of COVID-19 on African/Black individuals and communities in Canada and globally and understand how anti-black racism and intersectional violence impact the health of African/Black communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: and analysis: A systematic search of published literature of quantitative and qualitative studies published on COVID-19 in Canada and globally will be conducted in Ovid Medline, Ovid EMBASE, EBSCO Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Cochrane Library, Ovid PsychInfo, Ovid CAB Abstracts, Scopus, Web of Science, and Global Index Medicus.To be included in the review, studies should include data on COVID-19 in relation to African/Black individuals, population and communities in Canada and globally. The studies must discuss racism, oppression, anti-oppression, or systemic/structural violence and be published in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. The findings will be reported according to PRISMA-ScR. Conclusion: This review will collect important data and evidence on African/Black communities related to COVID-19. Moreover, this review could help identified existing gaps in COVID-19 management in the African/Black communities and inform future research. Furthermore, it could also be used in decision-making for health policy and promotion and can influence the services provided by healthcare facilities and community organizations around the globe. Systematic Review registrations: Open Science Framework (OSF). Submitted on November 1st, 2021.