Characteristics and Presentations of Hospitalized Children Due to 3 Predominate COVID-19 Variants Within a Health Care Network.

Objective of this article is to describe differences in the demographic and clinical characteristics, severity of illness, and outcomes in pediatric patients with different SARS-CoV-2 variants. We conducted a retrospective study of pediatric patients admitted with COVID-19 during the 3 large waves of infection within a health network in New Jersey. We included demographic characteristics, clinical features, and outcomes and compared the data with respect to the different variants. Of 351 total patients included in this study, 74 were admitted during wave 1, 94 during wave 2, and 181 during wave 3. The median age of patients decreased from wave 1 (11.5 years) to wave 3 (3 years) (P = .0034). 87.7% of the patients were unvaccinated. The overall incidence of admissions due to pneumonia related to COVID-19 decreased in wave 3. COVID-19 bronchiolitis or croup admissions occurred mostly in wave 3. There was no significant difference in the number of patients requiring intensive care in any particular wave. Length of stay decreased across the waves (P < .0001). Treatments required did not vary between the waves except for a decrease in antibiotic use with each subsequent wave (P < .0001). The impact of COVID-19 on the pediatric population differs from the adult population, and the overall number of hospitalized children has mirrored the peak in cases observed during each infection wave. Our study illustrates the changes in clinical presentation and severity observed with the different coronavirus variants.

COVID-19 in Pediatrics: Characteristics of Hospitalized Children in New Jersey.

OBJECTIVES: Understanding the risk factors, predictors, and clinical presentation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pediatric patients with severe disease. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of pediatric patients admitted between March 1, 2020, and May 31, 2020, to a large health network in New Jersey with positive test results for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, rapid testing, or serum immunoglobulin G testing; we included demographic characteristics, clinical features, and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 81 patients ≤21 years old were admitted with positive test results for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and/or serum immunoglobulin testing. Sixty-seven patients (82.7%) were admitted for management of acute COVID-19 infection, whereas 14 (17.3%) were admitted for management of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Of the 81 hospitalized patients, 28 (34.6%) required intensive care. A majority of patients (42 [51.9%]) admitted for both acute COVID-19 infection and MIS-C were Hispanic. Underlying chronic health conditions were not present in most patients. Obesity (mean BMI of 41.1) was noted in the patients with MIS-C requiring ICU care, although not statistically significant. Absolute lymphopenia and elevated levels of inflammatory markers were statistically significant in the patients with MIS-C treated in the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to the growing literature of potential risk factors for severe disease in pediatric patients due to COVID-19 infection and MIS-C. Patients of Hispanic ethnicity represented the majority of patients with both acute COVID-19 infection and MIS-C, despite only representing 10% to 20% of the population our hospitals serve. Infants and patients with chronic health conditions were not at increased risk for severe disease. Absolute lymphopenia and elevated levels of inflammatory markers were associated with more severe disease.

INGESTION AND INHALATION DOSES DUE TO INTAKE OF RADON IN DRINKING WATER SAMPLES OF AMRITSAR PROVINCE, PUNJAB, INDIA.

In the present investigation, the ingestion and inhalation dosage for the particular body organs in light of the intake of radon through ground water utilised by the occupants have been assessed in the different villages of the Upper Bari Doab region of Amritsar province, India using an electrostatic collection type radon monitor (RAD7) analyzer with RAD-H2O accessory. The mean radon activity level in water was seen to be 8.34 ± 2.99 Bql-1. The newborn children have higher radiation dosage than the other age groups because of their high dosage transformation factors. However, the radiation dosage received by all different age groups significantly less than the UNSCEAR and WHO suggested a level of 100 µSv y-1. The annual effective dosage for the diverse body organs because of the intake of radon was moreover ascertained and found the maximum dosage for lungs than other organs. The radiation dosage received by bronchial epithelium by the means of inhalation was likewise high when contrasted with that by stomach walls through ingestion.

Photoreactions of 2-(furan-2-yl)-3-hydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one and 3-hydroxy-2-(thiophene-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one using cyclohexane and acetonitrile as solvents.

Photolysis of the titled chromenones was carried out at their longest absorption band (∼360 nm) using cyclohexane (CH) and acetonitrile (ACN) as solvents, in both aerated and de-aerated solutions. Different dimeric photoproducts were formed with both chromenones in aerated solutions. On photolysing 2-(furan-2-yl)-3-hydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one (FHC) in aerated cyclohexane, 2-(furan-2-yl)-2-{[2-(furan-2yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl]oxy}-2H-chromene-3,4-dione (a dehydrodimer) was formed, and on photolysing 3-hydroxy-2-(thiophene-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one (THC) in aerated ACN, a different dimeric product was isolated and identified. The corresponding 3-aryl-3-hydroxy-1,2-indandiones were also detected with FHC in ACN and with THC in CH, in addition to the dimeric products in both cases. On the other hand, in the de-aerated solutions, only the corresponding 1,2-indandiones were detected. 3-(Furan-2-yl)isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one as a secondary product was also detected with FHC in both solvents. An attempt was made to isolate the spectra of the photoproducts in situ. Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer (ESIPT) and Excited State Intramolecular Charge Transfer (ESICT) processes complicate the photodynamics of the reaction, making it difficult to predict the mechanisms of the photoreactions. However, tentative mechanisms have been proposed for the formation of the photoproducts.

Magnet balls stuck to the frenulum of the lip.

BACKGROUND: Accidents associated with magnets as foreign bodies pose a serious threat to the health of children and adolescents. Prompt management and removal of the magnet is important to avoid life-threatening complications. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to highlight an unusual health hazard associated with magnets in children. CASE REPORT: We report on a unique case of an adolescent girl who presented with two magnet balls stuck to the frenulum of her upper lip, resulting in intense pain and discomfort. The magnets were removed painlessly by induced magnetism through metallic mosquito forceps. CONCLUSIONS: As children experiment with toys and products containing detachable magnetic balls, more cases will likely present to emergency departments. Increased awareness and preventive measures should be undertaken to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with magnets.