Is COVID-19 multisystem inflammatory syndrome a new variant of Kawasaki Disease?

Objectives: In this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate the clinical features, therapeutic options, and outcomes of children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and to investigate whether MIS-C is a new variant of Kawasaki disease. Materials and methods: Adhering to PRISMA principles, we searched for eligible studies between December 2019 and June 2020 through the following databases: PubMed, ISI Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Science Direct. Studies including original data of patients aged <21 years with MIS-C and descriptions of clinical signs, laboratory or radiological investigations were selected. Results: A total of 84 studies were identified, for which 48 were eligible for full screening and only 13 studies (n=657) met our inclusion criteria. More than 70% of patients with MIS-C tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The most common symptoms were gastrointestinal (80 to 100%) and most patients presented with fever for >4 days. Mucocutaneous manifestations are similar to Kawasaki disease presented in up to 64% in some studies. Almost all patients had significant elevations in inflammatory markers, and up to 50 to 100% had elevated troponin suggesting myocardial damage. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was administered to 60% of patients in 12 studies and 80 to 100% in five studies. Steroids were administered to 10 to 95% of patients. The overall mortality rate was 0.9%. Conclusion: The temporal association between novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) onset and Kawasaki-like disease and MIS-C suggests a causal link. Both syndromes have similar cascades of symptoms and hyperinflammation, which likely explain their response to the same immunomodulatory agents. However, it is unclear yet why some children appear more susceptible to develop MIS-C.

Influencing factors of knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding antibiotic use in children with upper respiratory tract infections in Dubai.

INTRODUCTION: The main leading cause of the upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) is viral infection. However, parental attitudes often lead to inappropriate prescription of antibiotics contributing to development of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study is to assess parental knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards the use of antibiotics in Dubai and to reveal the associated factors. METHOD: Questionnaires were distributed to 500 parents of children who were visiting Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital in Dubai. RESULT: A total of 467 subjects agreed to participate in the study. Family income, educational level, nationality, age of the respondents, and numbers of children were identified as factors that significantly associated with inadequate knowledge, negative attitude, or malpractice. CONCLUSION: The study has identified key factors associated with misuse of URTI antibiotics and highlights the importance of targeting those groups with intervention programs and campaigns to increase awareness and decrease misconception of antibiotic use.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of healthcare workers toward influenza vaccination at Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital (AJCH), Dubai, UAE.

BACKGROUND: Influenza viruses usually circulate worldwide annually from the late fall through the early spring. Although most people with influenza recover without sequelae, it can cause serious illness and death, particularly among older adults, very young children, pregnant women, and those with certain chronic medical conditions. AIM OF THE STUDY: To describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practice of Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital healthcare workers toward influenza vaccination during 2016-2017 and understand their relative importance in promoting influenza vaccine uptake. METHOD: A validated survey self-administered questionnaire was distributed to healthcare workers at AJCH. A descriptive analysis was performed, including an evaluation of associations using the chi-square test, and an alpha level of 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The questionnaire was distributed to 350 healthcare workers, and 263 (76%) of them completed the survey. Among the responders, 63% answered that they were not vaccinated for seasonal flu in both years, 32% answered that they were vaccinated once, in either 2016 or 2017, and only 5% answered that they were vaccinated during both years.The analysis of results by gender indicates that influenza vaccination uptake in both years (2016 and 2017) was more common in females than in males.Despite a higher educational level, influenza vaccination remained low among physician, nurses, and postgraduate workers. CONCLUSION: The healthcare workers' knowledge of influenza disease does not reflect their knowledge, attitude, and practice toward influenza vaccination. These results highlight the important predictors that must be targeted to promote hospital awareness campaigns to improve their practice and attitude, which could result in increasing seasonal influenza vaccine uptake.