Management of children with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency presenting with acute haemolytic crisis during the SARs-COV-2 pandemic.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Shortage of blood during the severe acute respiratory syndrome-COV-2 (SARs-COV-2) pandemic impacted transfusion practice. The primary aim of the study is to assess management of acute haemolytic crisis (AHC) in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase(G6PD)- deficient children during SARs-COV-2 pandemic, and then to assess blood donation situation and the role of telemedicine in management. METHODS: Assessment of G6PD-deficient children attending the Emergency Department (ER) with AHC from 1 March 2020 for 5 months in comparison to same period in the previous 2 years, in three paediatric haematology centres. AHC cases presenting with infection were tested for SARs-COV-2 using RT-PCR. Children with Hb (50-65 g/L) and who were not transfused, were followed up using telemedicine with Hb re-checked in 24 h. RESULTS: A 45% drop in ER visits due to G6PD deficiency-related AHC during SARs-COV-2 pandemic in comparison to the previous 2 years was observed. 10% of patients presented with fever and all tested negative for COVID-19 by RT-PCR. 33% of patients had Hb < 50 g/L and were all transfused. 50% had Hb between 50 and 65 g/L, half of them (n = 49) did not receive transfusion and only two patients (4%) required transfusion upon follow up. A restrictive transfusion strategy was adopted and one of the reasons was a 39% drop in blood donation in participating centres. CONCLUSION: Fewer G6PD-deficient children with AHC visited the ER during SARs-COV-2 and most tolerated lower Hb levels. Telemedicine was an efficient tool to support their families. A restrictive transfusion strategy was clear in this study.

Glycemic control among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes during COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences of lockdown significantly impacted glycemic control. AIM: To evaluate the impact of the pandemic and lockdown on glycemic control among Egyptian children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted through an online questionnaire. The participants were patients with type 1 diabetes and/or their caregivers. RESULTS: A total of 115 valid responses to the questionnaire were received. During the lockdown, almost 64% of patients showed worsening of their HbA1C with significant increment of HbA1c after the lockdown (p < 0.001). Synchronous simple telemedicine service was initiated through phone calls and social media applications, and 97% of the patients and their families were successfully able to continue follow-up. Almost 76% of the patients/caregivers showed moderate stress which was significantly correlated with HbA1C (p < 0.05). Fear of hospital admission and fear from shortage of medical supplies were the main COVID-19-related worries. CONCLUSION: The lockdown negatively impacted glycemic control and initiated a set of COVID-19 worries and stress among patients and their caregivers in Egypt. Telemedicine service, even simple tools, is effective and important for the continuity of care among patients. The limited availability and the fear of shortage of medical supply forced patients to ration glucose monitoring. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13410-021-00968-y.

Intracranial haemorrhage associated with Vitamin K deficiency in Egyptian infants.

AIM: Intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) in infancy is a rare life-threatening event. The aim of this review is to highlight the association of ICH and potentially preventable vitamin K deficiency and to describe risk factors, presentation and outcome. METHODS: Original published data on ICH related to vitamin K deficiency during 2008-2012 were extracted from records of participating centres in Egypt (Cairo and Delta region). Full data on 70 infants (0-24 weeks) have been reported in three publications. RESULTS: The first study involved premature infants where ICH was potentially preventable with administration of parenteral vitamin K prophylactic doses to mothers ahead of imminent preterm delivery. The other 2 studies involved term newborns and infants. ICH due to early or classic vitamin K deficiency was reported in nine patients while 44 were due to late vitamin K deficiency. Main risk factors for late onset were exclusive breastfeeding, persistent diarrhoea and/or prolonged antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION: Vitamin K deficiency bleeding is a relatively frequent problem underlying ICH in infancy. Prophylactic vitamin K to mothers when anticipating preterm labour or a vitamin K boost in exclusively breast-fed infants with prolonged antibiotic usage and, or, persistent diarrhoea might have an impact on prevention and outcome.

Intracranial hemorrhage in primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP): 20 years' experience in pediatrics.

Incidence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) among children with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) varies among different studies. We published data during the period of 1997-2007 of ICH in children with primary ITP, addressing risk factors and outcome. The aim of this study is to assess changes in incidence, risk factors, and outcome of ICH in children with ITP from last decade and to report the overall 20 years' experience. We compared 2008-2018 with the decade before it. Data of children with ITP and ICH during study period and ITP control cases were analyzed. Neurosurgical intervention and outcome were also reported. A total of 4340 children with primary ITP were evaluated. Twenty-five (0.63%) ICH events were reported over 2 decades. Head trauma, hematuria, and platelet counts < 10 × 109/L were the risk factors mostly associated with ICH. Overall mortality was 24%, and a further 28% had neurologic sequelae. Neurosurgical intervention was done in 12% of cases with good outcome.Conclusion: Persistent platelet counts < 10 × 109/L were a significant risk factor for ICH in both time periods, while head trauma and hematuria were more reported in the period of 2008-2018 as significant risk factors for ICH. Outcome was comparable in both periods. What is Known: • ICH is a rare complication of ITP; however, early recognition of risk factors and aggressive treatment might lead to complete recovery without sequalae. Platelet counts less than < 10 × 109/L are the main risk factor for ICH. Few studies reported other significant risk factors. What is New: • Hematuria and head trauma are significant risk factors for ICH in ITP, in addition to having a persistently low platelet count < 10 × 109/L. (more than 90 days in chronic ITP, 45 days in persistent and 21 days in acute ITP) • Combined treatment with IVIG and HDMP followed by platelet transfusion was associated with complete recovery without sequelae in almost 50% of patients.

COVID-19 in Children With Cancer: A Single Low-Middle Income Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) could be associated with morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised children. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to measure the frequency of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among hospitalized children with cancer and to detect the associated clinical manifestations and outcomes. METHODOLOGY: A prospective noninterventional study including all hospitalized children with cancer conducted between mid-April and mid-June 2020 in Ain Shams University Hospital, Egypt. Clinical, laboratory, and radiologic data were collected. SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests in nasopharyngeal swabs. RESULTS: Fifteen of 61 hospitalized children with cancer were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2. Their mean age was 8.3±3.5 years. Initially, 10 (66.7%) were asymptomatic and 5 (33.3%) were symptomatic with fever and/or cough. Baseline laboratory tests other than SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were not diagnostic; the mean absolute lymphocyte count was 8.7±2.4×109/L. C-reactive protein was mildly elevated in most of the patients. Imaging was performed in 10 (66.7%) patients with significant radiologic findings detected in 4 (40%) patients. Treatment was mainly supportive with antibiotics as per the febrile neutropenia protocol and local Children Hospital guidance for management of COVID-19 in children. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric cancer patients with COVID-19 were mainly asymptomatic or with mild symptoms. A high index of suspicion and regular screening with nasopharyngeal swab in asymptomatic hospitalized cancer patients is recommended.

Romiplostim in children with chronic refractory ITP: randomized placebo controlled study.

Romiplostim stimulates thrombopoietin receptor to increase platelet production of megakaryocytes in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of romiplostim in children with chronic ITP. Eighteen patients with chronic ITP, either none responsive or failed to maintain response on two or more therapeutic modalities, were enrolled. Patients were randomized (2:1) to receive romiplostim or placebo for 12 weeks, initiated at 1 µg/kg/week, escalated to 5 µg/kg/week, and then tapered. Median patients' age was 8.5 years, and the median baseline platelet count (PC) was 10.5 × 10(9)/L. The median weekly dose of romiplostim was 2 µg/kg. Fifty percent of patients in both romiplostim and placebo arms had at least one adverse event (AE); none was serious. Ten patients on romiplostim (83.3%) maintained the efficacy endpoint (PC > 50,000). Romiplostim was well-tolerated and efficient in treating the children with chronic refractory ITP with no unexpected AEs.