Incremento de infecciones respiratorias agudas graves en niños durante la última etapa de la pandemia COVID-19 / Increase in severe acute respiratory infections in children during the last phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

Objetivo. La pandemia COVID-19 ha causado una variación en la circulación de otros patógenos respiratorios. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar la epidemiología de las infecciones respiratorias agudas graves (IRAG) en niños durante 3 años de pandemia COVID-19, en comparación con un período previo de la misma dimensión temporal. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio observacional, realizado en un hospital terciario de España, que analizó la frecuencia y características de pacientes ingresados por IRAG en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos (UCIP) durante la pandemia COVID-19 (1 marzo-2020 a 28 de febrero-2023), en relación a un período pre-pandemia (1 marzo-2017 a 29 febrero-2020). Resultados. Se incluyeron 268 pacientes (59,6% varones). La mediana de edad fue 9,6 meses (RIQ 1,7 – 37). En el período pre-pandemia hubo 126 ingresos con una media de 42 admisiones/año. Durante la pandemia se produjeron 142 ingresos, observándose una reducción significativa de admisiones en el primer año (12 ingresos/año), en contraste con 82 ingresos durante el tercer año, que representó un incremento del 95% respecto a la media de admisiones/año en pre-pandemia. Además, en el último año se evidenció un incremento de coinfecciones virales en relación al período prepandemia (54,9% vs 39,7%; p=0,032). No hubo diferencias en días de hospitalización, ni estancia en UCIP. Conclusiones. Durante el último año, coincidiendo con bajas tasas de hospitalización por COVID en España, observamos un notable incremento de ingresos en la UCIP por IRAG por otras causas. Probablemente, el período prolongado de baja exposición a patógenos por las medidas adoptadas durante la pandemia, ha provocado una disminución de la inmunidad poblacional con un repunte de infecciones respiratorias. (AU)

Objective. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a variation in the circulation of respiratory pathogens. Our aim was to analyze the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in children during 3 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, in comparison with a previous period. Patients and Methods. An observational study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Spain, which analyzed the frequency and characteristics of patients admitted for SARI in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) during the COVID-19 pandemic (1 March 2020 to 28 February 2023), compared to pre-pandemic period (1 March 2017 to 29 February 2020). Results. A total of 268 patients were included (59.6% males). The median age was 9.6 months (IQR 1.7 – 37). In the pre-pandemic period, there were 126 admissions with an average of 42 admissions/year. During the pandemic, there were 142 admissions, observing a significant reduction in admissions in the first year (12 admissions/year), in contrast to 82 admissions during the third year, which represented an increase of 95% compared to the average of admissions/year in pre-pandemic. In addition, in the last year there was evidence of an increase in viral coinfections in relation to pre-pandemic period (54.9% vs 39.7%; p=0.032). There were no differences in length of hospital stay or PICU stay. Conclusions. During the last year, coinciding with low rates of hospitalization for COVID in Spain, we observed a notable increase in admissions to the PICU for SARI. Probably, the prolonged period of low exposure to pathogens due to the measures adopted during the pandemic might have caused a decrease in population immunity with a rise in severe respiratory infections. (AU)

Influencia de la pandemia COVID-19 sobre la epidemiología de la bronquiolitis aguda / Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology of acute bronchiolitis

Introducción: La pandemia COVID-19ha modificado la propagación de ciertos virus respiratorios causantes de bronquiolitis aguda. Analizamos la epidemiología de los ingresos por bronquiolitis durante la pandemia COVID-19 en comparación con ocho temporadas epidémicas anteriores. Métodos: Estudio observacional ambispectivo, que incluyó lactantes con bronquiolitis ingresados en un hospital terciario durante dos períodos: pandemia COVID-19 (15 de marzo de 2020 a 31 de agosto de 2021) y pre-pandemia (1 de septiembre de 2012 a 14 de marzo de 2020). Se recogieron características demográficas, clínicas y etiología. Resultados: Ingresaron 510 pacientes por bronquiolitis: 486 en el período pre-pandemia con una media de 61 ingresos por temporada vs. 24 durante la pandemia, observándose una reducción de ingresos del 60,7%. Durante la pandemia, el brote epidémico se inició con retraso abarcando la primavera-verano de 2021. El virus respiratorio sincitial fue el agente etiológico más frecuente en ambos períodos. Conclusiones: Observamos un cambio estacional de la bronquiolitis durante la pandemia COVID-19, probablemente influenciado por las medidas de control frente a SARS-CoV-2.(AU)

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the circulation of some viruses associated with acute bronchiolitis. We analyzed the epidemiology of bronchiolitis admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with 8 previous epidemic seasons. Methods: An observational and ambispective study was performed, including infants admitted with bronchiolitis in a tertiary hospital during 2 periods: COVID-19 pandemic (15th March 2020 to 3rd August 2021) and pre-pandemic (1st September 2012 to 14th March 2020). Demographic, clinical data and etiologies were collected. Results: Five hundred ten patients were hospitalized with bronchiolitis: 486 in the pre-pandemic period with an average of 61 admissions per season vs. 24 during the pandemic, observing a 60.7% reduction in bronchiolitis admissions. During the pandemic, bronchiolitis outbreak was delayed until spring–summer 2021. Respiratory syncytial virus was the most frequent etiological agent in both periods. Conclusion: We observed a change in the seasonality of bronchiolitis during the pandemic COVID-19, possibly influenced by control measures against SARS-CoV-2..(AU)

Prevalencia de Sars-CoV-2 en los profesionales sanitarios de un servicio hospitalario de pediatría / Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in health professionals of a hospital pediatric service

La enfermedad por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), declarada pandemia mundial en marzo de 2020, ha afectado a millones de personas en todo el mundo, siendo los profesionales sanitarios uno de los colectivos más expuestos. El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar la prevalencia de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en los profesionales sanitarios de un área determinada de un hospital terciario durante la primera ola de la pandemia COVID-19 en España. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional de tipo transversal, mediante la autocumplimentación de una encuesta voluntaria y anónima por parte de los profesionales sanitarios de los servicios de Pediatría y Maternidad del Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid (HCUV). La encuesta recogió información del período comprendido entre el 10 de marzo y 15 de junio de 2020. Resultado: Participaron en el estudio 177 profesionales de los 231 trabajadores totales en plantilla lo que supuso una participación del 76,6%. Fueron diagnosticadas 37 personas de infección por SARS-CoV-2: 25 personas mediante técnica de Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa con Transcriptasa Inversa (RT-PCR) y 12 mediante pruebas serológicas (ELISA). La prevalencia global de infección por SARS-CoV-2 fue de 20,9% y requirieron ingreso hospitalario 3 personas. Conclusión: La prevalencia de infección por SARS-CoV-2 durante la primera ola de la pandemia en el personal sanitario del Servicio de Pediatría y Maternidad del HCUV fue superior a la declarada por la Red de Vigilancia Epidemiológica de Castilla y León. Uno de cada 5 profesionales de la salud del presente estudio ha tenido la infección por SARS-CoV-2. (AU)

SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19), declared a global pandemic in March 2020, has affected millions of people worldwide, with healthcare professionals being one of the most exposed groups. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare professionals in a specific area of a tertiary hospital during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. Material and methods: A transversal observational study was carried out by means of a voluntary and anonymous self-completion survey by healthcare professionals from the Pediatrics and Maternity services of the Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid (HCUV). The survey collected information from the period between 10 March and 15 June 2020. Results: 177 professionals of the 231 total staff participated in the study, which meant a participation rate of 76.6%. SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) in 25 persons and by serological tests (ELISA) in 12 persons. The overall prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 20.9% and 3 persons required hospital admission. Conclusion: The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first wave of the pandemic among healthcare personnel in the Pediatrics and Maternity Department of the HCUV was higher than that reported by the Epidemiological Surveillance Network of Castilla y León. One in 5 healthcare professionals in the present study had been infected with SARS-CoV-2. (AU)

[Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology of acute bronchiolitis]. / Influencia de la pandemia COVID-19 sobre la epidemiología de la bronquiolitis aguda.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the circulation of some viruses associated with acute bronchiolitis. We analyzed the epidemiology of bronchiolitis admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with 8 previous epidemic seasons. Methods: An observational and ambispective study was performed, including infants admitted with bronchiolitis in a tertiary hospital during 2 periods: COVID-19 pandemic (15th March 2020 to 3 rd August 2021) and pre-pandemic (1st September 2012 to 14th March 2020). Demographic, clinical data and etiologies were collected. Results: Five hundred ten patients were hospitalized with bronchiolitis: 486 in the pre-pandemic period with an average of 61 admissions per season vs. 24 during the pandemic, observing a 60.7% reduction in bronchiolitis admissions. During the pandemic, bronchiolitis outbreak was delayed until spring-summer 2021. Respiratory syncytial virus was the most frequent etiological agent in both periods. Conclusion: We observed a change in the seasonality of bronchiolitis during the pandemic COVID-19, possibly influenced by control measures against SARS-CoV-2.

Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology of acute bronchiolitis.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the circulation of some viruses associated with acute bronchiolitis. We analyzed the epidemiology of bronchiolitis admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with 8 previous epidemic seasons. METHODS: An observational and ambispective study was performed, including infants admitted with bronchiolitis in a tertiary hospital during 2 periods: COVID-19 pandemic (15th March 2020 to 3rd August 2021) and pre-pandemic (1st September 2012 to 14th March 2020). Demographic, clinical data and etiologies were collected. RESULTS: Five hundred ten patients were hospitalized with bronchiolitis: 486 in the pre pandemic period with an average of 61 admissions per season vs 24 during the pandemic, observing a 60.7% reduction in bronchiolitis admissions. During the pandemic, bronchiolitis outbreak was delayed until spring-summer 2021. Respiratory syncytial virus was the most frequent etiological agent in both periods. CONCLUSION: We observed a change in the seasonality of bronchiolitis during the pandemic COVID-19, possibly influenced by control measures against SARS-CoV-2.

Variation in the seasonality of the respiratory syncytial virus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a variation in the circulation of common respiratory viruses. Our objective was to analyse the epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison with previous epidemic seasons. METHODS: We conducted an observational study involving infants with RSV bronchiolitis admitted to a tertiary hospital during two periods: pandemic COVID-19 (15 March 2020-30 September 2021) and pre-pandemic (1 October 2014-14 March 2020). Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. RESULTS: A total of 270 patients were admitted for RSV bronchiolitis: 253 in the pre-pandemic period with an average of 42 admissions per season vs 17 in the pandemic. During the pandemic, the RSV outbreak started late in June 2021 with a higher percentage of prematurity and PICU admissions. CONCLUSION: A change in RSV seasonality was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an unusual outbreak in summer 2021 of lower magnitude than previous seasons.