Presentations of children to emergency departments across Europe and the COVID-19 pandemic: A multinational observational study.

BACKGROUND: During the initial phase of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, reduced numbers of acutely ill or injured children presented to emergency departments (EDs). Concerns were raised about the potential for delayed and more severe presentations and an increase in diagnoses such as diabetic ketoacidosis and mental health issues. This multinational observational study aimed to study the number of children presenting to EDs across Europe during the early COVID-19 pandemic and factors influencing this and to investigate changes in severity of illness and diagnoses. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Routine health data were extracted retrospectively from electronic patient records of children aged 18 years and under, presenting to 38 EDs in 16 European countries for the period January 2018 to May 2020, using predefined and standardized data domains. Observed and predicted numbers of ED attendances were calculated for the period February 2020 to May 2020. Poisson models and incidence rate ratios (IRRs), using predicted counts for each site as offset to adjust for case-mix differences, were used to compare age groups, diagnoses, and outcomes. Reductions in pediatric ED attendances, hospital admissions, and high triage urgencies were seen in all participating sites. ED attendances were relatively higher in countries with lower SARS-CoV-2 prevalence (IRR 2.26, 95% CI 1.90 to 2.70, p < 0.001) and in children aged <12 months (12 to <24 months IRR 0.86, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.89; 2 to <5 years IRR 0.80, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.82; 5 to <12 years IRR 0.68, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.70; 12 to 18 years IRR 0.72, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.74; versus age <12 months as reference group, p < 0.001). The lowering of pediatric intensive care admissions was not as great as that of general admissions (IRR 1.30, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.45, p < 0.001). Lower triage urgencies were reduced more than higher triage urgencies (urgent triage IRR 1.10, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.12; emergent and very urgent triage IRR 1.53, 95% CI 1.49 to 1.57; versus nonurgent triage category, p < 0.001). Reductions were highest and sustained throughout the study period for children with communicable infectious diseases. The main limitation was the retrospective nature of the study, using routine clinical data from a wide range of European hospitals and health systems. CONCLUSIONS: Reductions in ED attendances were seen across Europe during the first COVID-19 lockdown period. More severely ill children continued to attend hospital more frequently compared to those with minor injuries and illnesses, although absolute numbers fell. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN91495258 https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN91495258.

Rhabdomyolysis as a manifestation of a metabolic disease: a case report. / Rabdomiólise como manifestação de uma doença metabólica: relato de caso.

Rhabdomyolysis is a process of muscle destruction that can present with varying clinical manifestations. In pediatric patients, its main etiology is infectious diseases. We present a previously healthy adolescent who was admitted to our emergency department with a four-day history of myalgia, muscle weakness and dark urine. At presentation, she was dehydrated. Blood analysis revealed acute renal failure and increased muscular enzymes. She was transferred to our pediatric intensive care unit. Medical therapies for correction of dehydration and the ionic and metabolic consequences of renal failure were performed. Due to oliguria, renal replacement therapy was initiated. An etiological investigation revealed a beta-oxidation defect. Metabolic diseases are a known cause of rhabdomyolysis. Muscular destruction should be diagnosed early in order to avoid its potential consequences. Generally, the treatment of rhabdomyolysis is conservative, although in some situations, a more invasive approach is needed.

Rabdomiólise como manifestação de uma doença metabólica: relato de caso / Rhabdomyolysis as a manifestation of a metabolic disease: a case report

RESUMO A rabdomiólise é um processo de destruição muscular com manifestações clínicas variáveis. Em pacientes pediátricos, tem como principal etiologia as doenças infecciosas. Apresentamos o caso de uma adolescente previamente saudável, que foi admitida ao nosso pronto-socorro com histórico de 4 dias com mialgia, fraqueza muscular e urina escura. Na avaliação inicial, apresentava-se desidratada. Os exames de sangue revelaram insuficiência renal aguda e aumento de enzimas musculares. A paciente foi transferida para nossa unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica. Foi realizado tratamento clínico para correção da desidratação e das consequências iônicas e metabólicas da insuficiência renal. Em razão da oligúria, deu-se início à terapia de substituição renal. A investigação etiológica revelou um defeito da betaoxidação. Sabe-se que doenças metabólicas podem provocar rabdomiólise. A destruição muscular deve ser identificada precocemente, para evitar suas potenciais consequências. Em geral, o tratamento da rabdomiólise é conservador, embora em algumas situações seja necessária uma abordagem mais invasiva.

ABSTRACT Rhabdomyolysis is a process of muscle destruction that can present with varying clinical manifestations. In pediatric patients, its main etiology is infectious diseases. We present a previously healthy adolescent who was admitted to our emergency department with a four-day history of myalgia, muscle weakness and dark urine. At presentation, she was dehydrated. Blood analysis revealed acute renal failure and increased muscular enzymes. She was transferred to our pediatric intensive care unit. Medical therapies for correction of dehydration and the ionic and metabolic consequences of renal failure were performed. Due to oliguria, renal replacement therapy was initiated. An etiological investigation revealed a beta-oxidation defect. Metabolic diseases are a known cause of rhabdomyolysis. Muscular destruction should be diagnosed early in order to avoid its potential consequences. Generally, the treatment of rhabdomyolysis is conservative, although in some situations, a more invasive approach is needed.

The effect of NaCl 0.9% and NaCl 0.45% on sodium, chloride, and acid-base balance in a PICU population / Efeito do NaCl a 0,9% e do NaCl a 0,45% sobre o sódio, cloreto e equilíbrio ácido-base em uma população de UTIP

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of two intravenous maintenance fluids on plasma sodium (Na), and acid-base balance in pediatric intensive care patients during the first 24 h of hospitalization. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled study was performed, which allocated 233 patients to groups: (A) NaCl 0.9% or (B) NaCl 0.45%. Patients were aged 1 day to 18 years, had normal electrolyte concentrations, and suffered an acute insult (medical/surgical). Main outcome measured: change in plasma sodium. Parametric tests: t-tests, ANOVA, X 2 statistical significance level was set at a = 0.05. RESULTS: Group A (n = 130): serum Na increased by 2.91 (±3.9) mmol/L at 24 h (p < 0.01); 2% patients had Na higher than 150 mmol/L. Mean urinary Na: 106.6 (±56.8) mmol/L. No change in pH at 0 and 24 h. Group B (n = 103): serum Na did not display statistically significant changes. Fifteen percent of the patients had Na < 135 mmol/L at 24 h. The two fluids had different effects on respiratory and post-operative situations. CONCLUSIONS: The use of saline 0.9% was associated with a lower incidence of electrolyte disturbances.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Estudar o efeito de dois fluidos de manutenção intravenosos sobre o sódio (Na) plasmático e o equilíbrio ácido-base em pacientes de terapia intensiva pediátrica durante as primeiras 24 horas de internação. MÉTODOS: Foi feito um estudo controlado randomizado prospectivo. Alocamos aleatoriamente 233 pacientes para os grupos: (A) NaCl a 0,9% e (B) NaCl a 0,45%. Os pacientes com um dia a 18 anos apresentavam concentrações normais de eletrólitos e sofriam de insulto agudo (médico/cirúrgico). Principal resultado: variação no sódio plasmático. Testes paramétricos: teste t, Anova, qui-quadrado. O nível de relevância estatística foi estabelecido em a = 0,05. RESULTADOS: Grupo A (n = 130): o Na sérico aumentou 2,91 (± 3,9) mmol L-1 em 24 h (p < 0,01); 2% dos pacientes apresentaram Na acima de 150 mmol L-1. Concentração média de Na na urina: 106,6 (± 56,8) mmol L-1. Sem alteração no pH em 0 e 24 horas. Grupo B (n = 103): o Na sérico não apresentou alterações estatisticamente significativas; 15% dos pacientes apresentaram Na < 135 mmol L-1 em 24 h. Os dois fluidos tiveram efeitos diferentes sobre as situações respiratória e pós-operatória. CONCLUSÃO: O uso de solução fisiológica a 0,9% foi associado à menor incidência de distúrbios eletrolíticos.

The effect of NaCl 0.9% and NaCl 0.45% on sodium, chloride, and acid-base balance in a PICU population.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of two intravenous maintenance fluids on plasma sodium (Na), and acid-base balance in pediatric intensive care patients during the first 24h of hospitalization. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled study was performed, which allocated 233 patients to groups: (A) NaCl 0.9% or (B) NaCl 0.45%. Patients were aged 1 day to 18 years, had normal electrolyte concentrations, and suffered an acute insult (medical/surgical). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURED: change in plasma sodium. Parametric tests: t-tests, ANOVA, X(2) statistical significance level was set at α=0.05. RESULTS: Group A (n=130): serum Na increased by 2.91 (±3.9)mmol/L at 24h (p<0.01); 2% patients had Na higher than 150 mmol/L. Mean urinary Na: 106.6 (±56.8)mmol/L. No change in pH at 0 and 24h. Group B (n=103): serum Na did not display statistically significant changes. Fifteen percent of the patients had Na<135 mmol/L at 24h. The two fluids had different effects on respiratory and post-operative situations. CONCLUSIONS: The use of saline 0.9% was associated with a lower incidence of electrolyte disturbances.

Sleep pathology characterization in sickle cell disease: case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) have a higher incidence of sleep pathology and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The nocturnal hypoxemia is a risk to vaso-occlusive crisis among other SCD morbidities. Our aim was to compare polysomnography (PSG) results in a sample of children with SCD with a sample of children with suspected OSAS without SCD. DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective study compared clinical and PSG parameters. A descriptive analysis and t-test were done considering P < 0.05 as significant. RESULTS: PSG was done in 65 children with SCD and 65 control-children. Control sample was selected to be equal to SCD sample considering gender (53.8% were male), age (mean age was 9.4 years (SD ± 4.6) and AHI (mean 3.57 events/hr). Mean efficiency, latency and percentage of sleep phases in both groups showed no statistically significant differences. Mean SpO2 and minimum SpO2 were lower in SCD group and it was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Enuresis was more frequent in the SCD children group (35.4% vs. 6.2%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Comparing children with and without SCD, sleep architecture was similar in both groups and minimum SpO2 was significantly lower in SCD children although both groups had a similar AHI. This is an important issue in these children, so it is essential to have a sleep evaluation in order to prevent complications and co-morbidities.

[Cavernous transformation of portal vein]. / Transformação cavernosa da veia porta.

INTRODUCTION: In Cavernous transformation of portal vein (CTPV), therapeutic options are limited; however the restoration of circulation by mesenteric-portal bypass (MPB) is an option in selected cases. CASE REPORT 1: 13-year-old female with polymalformative syndrome. Admission at 4 months of age to Intensive Care Unit due to severe pneumonia with hemodynamic instability. Follow up due to thrombocytopenia and splenomegalia she was diagnosed CTPV at7-years old. At 13y-old she was submitted to MPB. CASE REPORT 2: 9-years-old male; severe neonatal Rh isoimmunization treated with exsanguinations. Followed-up since 6-months ofage due to thrombocytopenia and splenomegalia, and at 3 years of age he was diagnosed CTPV. Due to disease progression he was proposed as candidate to MBP which was contraindicated due to vascular thrombosis of the Rex recess. COMMENTS: MBP presents as one of the few therapeutic options to CTPV in children; due to its specificity and rigid requirements it is vital the close follow up and early diagnosis.

Giant tuberculoma in an adolescent: atypical form of tuberculosis.

A tuberculoma is a rare form of presentation of tuberculosis (TB) in children. We describe the case of a 13-year-old girl, with 3 weeks of progressive tiredness and asthenia and a 48 h fever and cough. Physical examination revealed diminished pulmonary sounds in the left lower hemithorax. A chest radiograph showed an oval hypotransparency image in this location. The TB skin test was anergic and sputum was negative for acid-fast bacilli (AFB). The thoracic CT revealed a cystic mass in the left lower half hemithorax, compressing the adjacent pulmonary lobe, with double non-calcificated membrane. The exeresis of the pulmonary mass was performed and the anatomopathological study revealed a tuberculoma with AFB. TB treatment was established with a favourable clinical and radiological evolution. TB is a prevalent disease around the world. In this case, due to the mass dimensions and adjacent-organ compression, surgery was essential for a favourable clinical evolution.

High-output heart failure in a newborn.

High-output cardiac failure is rare in newborns. Emergent diagnosis and management of this pathology is crucial. We report the case of a child, currently 12-months old; obstetric background is non-contributory. Clinic observation on D1 was normal except for the presence of a systolic cardiac murmur; cardiological evaluation revealed mild ventricular dysfunction of the right ventricle. On the third day of life, she developed cardiac failure with gallop rhythm, hepatomegaly and a murmur in the anterior fontanel; an echocardiogram confirmed clinic aggravation with biventricular dysfunction and right cavities and superior vena cava dilatation. The cranial MRI confirmed the presence of a pial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) involving the anterior and middle cerebral arteries with an associated fronto-parietal ischaemic lesion. The infant underwent embolisations of AVM with successful flow reduction and cardiac failure improvement. The multidisciplinary follow-up showed no cardiac dysfunction or permanent lesions but confirmed a severe psycho-motor delay and left hemiparesia.