Síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico en pediatría: importancia de la evaluación inicial de los parámetros de laboratorio / Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children: the importance of evaluation of early laboratory parameters

RESUMEN Introducción : El síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico en pediatría (SIM-C) es una infrecuente entidad asociada a COVID-19 con un amplio espectro de presentación: desde un cuadro similar a la enfermedad de Kawasaki a una afectación multisistémica con shock. Se han descripto asociaciones entre valores de laboratorio y mala evolución, pero no existen puntos de corte que predigan la misma. Objetivo : El objetivo de este estudio fue describir y analizar las características de los pacientes con SIM-C y las relaciones de estas con los hallazgos de laboratorio. Material y métodos : Se realizó un estudio analítico y retrospectivo de niños internados con diagnóstico de SIM-C entre mayo 2020 y junio 2021 en el HNRG. Se estudiaron 32 pacientes, 17 femeninas (53,13%) y 15 masculinos (46,87%), edad promedio de 7,67 años (rango 0,5-14,91). Diez de los pacientes (31,25%) presentaron shock. Se obtuvieron datos clínicos, ecocardiográficos y valores de troponina I ultrasensible, NT-proBNP, plaquetas y linfocitos al momento del diagnóstico; y se analizaron comparativamente entre quienes presentaron shock durante la evolución (Grupo 1) y quienes no (Grupo 2). Resultados : La diferencia en un valor inicial de NT-proBNP elevado fue estadísticamente significativa entre ambos grupos (p=0,008), en tanto que la troponina y el recuento de linfocitos y plaquetas, no. De los 13 pacientes que requirieron inotrópicos, el 58% presentó linfopenia inicialmente (p=0,006 vs aquellos que no los necesitaron). Conclusiones : Si bien la mortalidad debido al SIM-C es baja, la afectación cardiovascular y el compromiso hemodinámico en los paci entes que presentaron este síndrome puede ser frecuente. Poder contar con una herramienta de laboratorio ampliamente difundida para la categorización de pacientes podría ayudar a mitigar riesgos y obtener una derivación temprana a centros especializados.

ABSTRACT Background : Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is an uncommon condition associated with COVID-19 with a wide spectrum of presentations, ranging from Kawasaki-like disease to multisystem involvement with shock. The as sociation between the laboratory characteristics and unfavorable outcome has been described, but the cut-off points associated with higher risk have not yet been defined. Objective : The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the characteristics of patients with MIS-C and their associations with the laboratory findings. Methods : We conducted an analytical and retrospective study of pediatric patients hospitalized between May 2020 and June 2021 with diagnosis of MIS-C in Hospital General de Niños Dr. Ricardo Gutiérrez (HNRG). The cohort was made up of 23 patients, 17 female (53.13%) and 15 male (46.87%); mean age was 7.67 years (range 0.5-14.91). Ten patients (31.25%) presented shock. Clinical and echocardiographic data and values of high-sensitive troponin I, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), platelets and lymphocytes at the time of diagnosis were obtained and compared between those with shock during evolution (group 1) and those without shock (group 2). Results : There was a significant difference in baseline elevated NT-proBNP values between both groups (p = 0.008), but not in troponin levels and lymphocyte and platelet counts. Of the 13 patients who required inotropic agents, 58% had baseline lymphopenia (p = 0.006 vs those who did not require inotropic drugs). Conclusions : Although mortality due to MIS-C is low, cardiac involvement and hemodynamic impairment may be common. The availability of a commonly used laboratory tool for patient categorization could help to mitigate risks and obtain early referral to specialized centers.

Multicentre observational study on multisystem inflammatory syndrome related to COVID-19 in Argentina.

BACKGROUND: The impact of the pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS) in low- and middle-income countries remains poorly understood. Our aim was to understand the characteristics and outcomes of PIMS-TS in Argentina. METHODS: This observational, prospective, and retrospective multicenter study enrolled patients younger than 18 years-old manifesting PIMS-TS, Kawasaki disease (KD) or Kawasaki shock syndrome (KSS) between March 2020 and May 2021. Patients were followed-up until hospital discharge or death (one case). The primary outcome was pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify variables predicting PICU admission. RESULTS: Eighty-one percent, 82%, and 14% of the 176 enrolled patients fulfilled the suspect case criteria for PIMS-TS, KD, and KSS, respectively. Temporal association with SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed in 85% of the patients and 38% were admitted to the PICU. The more common clinical manifestations were fever, abdominal pain, rash, and conjunctival injection. Lymphopenia was more common among PICU-admitted patients (87% vs. 51%, p < 0.0001), who also showed a lower platelet count and higher plasmatic levels of inflammatory and cardiac markers. Mitral valve insufficiency, left ventricular wall motion alterations, pericardial effusion, and coronary artery alterations were observed in 30%, 30%, 19.8%, and 18.6% of the patients, respectively. Days to initiation of treatment, rash, lymphopenia, and low platelet count were significant independent contributions to PICU admission. CONCLUSION: Rates of severe outcomes of PIMS-TS in the present study agreed with those observed in high-income countries. Together with other published studies, this work helps clinicians to better understand this novel clinical entity.

Long-term cardiology outcomes in children after early treatment for Chagas disease, an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Parasite persistence after acute infection with Trypanosoma cruzi is an important factor in the development of Chagas disease (CD) cardiomyopathy. Few studies have investigated the clinical effectiveness of CD treatment through the evaluation of cardiological events by long term follow-up of treated children. Cardiological evaluation in children is challenging since features that would be diagnosed as abnormal in an adult's ECG may be normal, age-related findings in a pediatric ECG trace. The objective was to evaluate cardiac involvement in patients with Chagas disease with a minimum follow-up of 6 years post-treatment. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive study of a cohort of pediatric patients with CD treated with benznidazole (Bz) or nifurtimox (Nf) was conducted. Children (N = 234) with at least 6 years post CD treatment followed at the Parasitology and Chagas Service, Buenos Aires Children's Hospital (Argentina) were enrolled. By convenience sampling, children who attended a clinical visit between August 2015 and November 2019 were also invited to participate for additional cardiovascular studies like 24-hour Holter monitoring and speckle-tracking 2D echocardiogram (STE). Benznidazole was prescribed in 171 patients and nifurtimox in 63 patients. Baseline parasitemia data was available for 168/234 patients. During the follow-up period, alterations in routine ECG were observed in 11/234 (4.7%, 95% CI [2-7.4%]) patients. In only four patients, with complete right bundle branch block (cRBBB) and left anterior fascicular block (LAFB), ECG alterations were considered probably related to CD. During follow-up, 129/130 (99%) treated patients achieved persistent negative parasitemia by qPCR. Also decrease in T.cruzi antibodies titers was observed in all patients and negative seroconversion occurred in 123/234 (52%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: A low incidence of cardiological lesions related to CD was observed in patients treated early for pediatric CD. This suggests a protective effect of parasiticidal treatment on the development of cardiological lesions and highlights the importance of early treatment of infected children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04090489.

Left ventricular longitudinal strain and strain rate measurements in paediatric patients in long-term treatment for Chagas disease.

INTRODUCTION: Previous echocardiographic studies failed to show residual alterations of heart function in paediatric patients that have received treatment for Chagas disease. While the echocardiogram is the fundamental front-line tool for evaluating heart function, the appearance of new techniques allows a more detailed analysis. We aimed to evaluate systolic and diastolic function with new techniques in a paediatric population with Chagas disease several years after treatment completion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Echocardiograms were obtained from 84 Chagas disease patients (48 female) and 27 healthy controls. All patients had received treatment concluding on average 10 years prior to the study. The prospective analysis considered cardiac dimensions and cardiac function using two-dimensional, M-mode, Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging with emphasis on measuring longitudinal strain in the left ventricle by speckle tracking. Ejection fraction was measured with three-dimensional echocardiography. RESULTS: Patients had an age of 14.2 ± 5.7 years (6-33) at the time of evaluation. Global and segmental motility of the left ventricle was normal in all patients. Ejection fraction was 59.2 ± 6.5 and 57.4 ± 6.5% (p = 0.31) in patients and controls respectively. Left ventricular global longitudinal systolic strain was -19 ± 2.4% in patients and -19 ± 3.6% (p = 0.91) in controls. No significant differences were found in remaining systolic and diastolic function measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Paediatric patients that have received treatment for Chagas disease, evaluated with either conventional techniques or new tools, do not show significant long-term alterations of ventricular function.

Detección del envejecimiento vascular acelerado por ecografía carotídea en niños y adolescentes con alto riesgo vascular / Detection of early vascular aging by carotid ul-trasound in children and adolescents with high vascular risk

Introducción. El envejecimiento vascular acelerado (EVA) puede ser detectado por ecografía vascular midiendo el espesor miointimal carotídeo (EMC) y/o la rigidez arterial (RA). El objetivo fue estimar la presencia de EVA en niños y adolescentes con alto riesgo vascular. Material y método. Se incluyeron pacientes Diabéticos tipo 1 (DM1), dislipidémicos familiares (DLP) y obesos. Se evaluaron el EMC y determinantes de la RA, y se compararon los resultados con tablas de percentilos para niños y adolescentes sanos ya publicadas. Cuando el EMC y/o los índices de RA superaron el percentilo 95, se informó como EVA. El análisis estadístico se realizó con SPSS 20., Los datos discretos fueron presentados como frecuencia en porcentaje. Se utilizó el chi cuadrado para comparar las variables dicotómicas. Se consideró estadísticamente significativo un valor de p < 0,05. Resultados. De un total de 199 pacientes, 54,8% eran mujeres (109), edad media de 12,6 años ± 3,4 años. Con DM1: el 41,7%; DLP: 32,2%; y obesos: 25,6%. Presentaron EMC anormal el 34,7% (69 pacientes). Los obesos tuvieron menor alteración del EMC (p=0,002), siendo los varones los más afectados: el 43,3%, p= 0,02. A 141 pacientes se les realizaron mediciones de RA, que fueron anormales en el 46,1% (65 pacientes), sin diferencias por sexo o diagnóstico. La presencia de EVA medida por ambos métodos alcanzó al 58% de la muestra. Conclusiones. Presentó EVA el 58% de los pacientes. Un tercio tuvo EMC anormal, que fue más frecuente en los varones, en los pacientes con diabetes y en los dislipidé- micos. La mitad de las mediciones de la rigidez arterial fueron anormales, independientemente del diagnóstico o del sexo. Futuros estudios serán necesarios para determinar la utilidad clínica de estos hallazgos.

Introduction. Early vascular aging can be detected by vascular ultrasound measuring the carotid intima media thickness and/or the arterial stiffness. The objective was to estimate the presence of early vascular aging in children and adolescents with high vascular risk. Material and method. Type 1 diabetic patients, patients with familial dyslipidemia and obese patients were included. The carotid intima media thickness and determinants of arterial stiffness were evaluated, and the results were compared to already published percentile tables of healthy children and adolescents. When the carotid intima media thickness and/or the arterial stiffness indexes exceeded 95th percentile, it was informed as early vascular aging. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20. Data are shown as mean ±SD, median or percentage. Comparisons of dichotomous variables (percentage) were made using χ2 test. P values <0.05 were considered significant. Results. Out of a total of 199 patients, 54.8% were females (109 patients), with mean age of 12.6 years ± 3.4 years. With type 1 diabetes: 41.7%; familial dyslipidemia: 32.2%; obesity: 25.6%. 34.7% (69 patients) presented with abnormal carotid intima media thickness. Obese patients had minor alteration of the carotid intima media thickness (p = 0,002), and males were the most affected ones: 43.3%, p = 0.02. Arterial stiffness was measured in 141 patients, which was abnormal in 46.1% (65 patients), with no age or diagnosis difference. The presence of early vascular aging measured by both methods reached 58% of the sample. Conclusions. Early vascular aging occurred in 58% of the patients. One third had abnormal carotid intima media thickness, which was more frequent in males, in diabetic patients and patients with dyslipidemia. Half of the arterial stiffness measurements were abnormal, independent of diagnosis or sex. Further studies will be required to determine the clinical utility of these findings.

Claudicación en la marcha [osteomielitis pélvica] / A child with a limp

La claudicación es una marcha desigual, a sacudidas o dificultosa debido a la alteración de alguna de sus dos fases (postura y balanceo). El examen físico debe ser completo y minucioso, teniendo en cuenta que claudicación en la marcha no es sinónimo de enfermedad del miembro inferior; se bebe evaluar al paciente en su totalidad observando su estado general, buscando signos como palidez, fiebre o adelgazamiento. La presencia de exantema macular evanescente nos puede indicar que se trata de una artritis reumatoidea juvenil. La aparición de lesiones purpúricas hace sospechar un síndrome de Schonlein-Henoch y a veces obliga a descartar leucemia. La causa más común de claudicación dolorosa es la lesión traumática, que puede variar desde un simple hematoma hasta una fractura

Claudicación en la marcha [osteomielitis pélvica] / A child with a limp

La claudicación es una marcha desigual, a sacudidas o dificultosa debido a la alteración de alguna de sus dos fases (postura y balanceo). El examen físico debe ser completo y minucioso, teniendo en cuenta que claudicación en la marcha no es sinónimo de enfermedad del miembro inferior; se bebe evaluar al paciente en su totalidad observando su estado general, buscando signos como palidez, fiebre o adelgazamiento. La presencia de exantema macular evanescente nos puede indicar que se trata de una artritis reumatoidea juvenil. La aparición de lesiones purpúricas hace sospechar un síndrome de Schonlein-Henoch y a veces obliga a descartar leucemia. La causa más común de claudicación dolorosa es la lesión traumática, que puede variar desde un simple hematoma hasta una fractura