Are the first 1,000 days of life a neglected vital period to prevent the impact on maternal and infant morbimortality of infectious diseases in Latin America? Proceedings of a workshop of experts from the Latin American Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, SLIPE.

While the first 1,000 days of life are a critical period in child's development, limited information on the main determinants affecting this period in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region is available. Therefore, the Latin American Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (SLIPE) held an ad hoc workshop in May 2022 with an expert panel designed to analyze the main factors impacting the development of childhood in the region during this period and the main causes of maternal infant morbimortality. The aim was to identify priorities, generate recommendations, and advise practical actions to improve this situation. Considerations were made about the challenges involved in bridging the gap that separates the region from more developed countries regarding an optimal early childhood and maternal care. Extensive discussion was conducted to reach consensus recommendations on general strategies intended to reduce maternal and infant mortality associated with infections and immune-preventable diseases during the first 1,000 days of life in LAC.

Epidemiology of Meningococcal Disease in Four South American Countries and Rationale of Vaccination in Adolescents from the Region: Position Paper of the Latin American Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (SLIPE).

Surveillance of meningococcal disease (MD) is crucial after the implementation of vaccination strategies to monitor their impact on disease burden. Adolescent vaccination could provide direct and indirect protection. Argentina, Brazil, and Chile have introduced meningococcal conjugate vaccines (MCV) into their National Immunization Programs (NIP), while Uruguay has not. Here, we analyze the epidemiology of MD and vaccination experience from these four South American countries to identify needs and plans to improve the current vaccination programs. METHODOLOGY: Descriptive study of MD incidence rates, serogroup distribution, case fatality rates (CFR), and MCV uptakes during the period 2010-2021 in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. Data were extracted from national surveillance programs, reference laboratories, NIPs, and Pubmed. RESULTS: MD overall incidence from 2010 to 2021 have a decreasing trend in Argentina (0.37 [IQR = 0.20-0.61]), Brazil (0.59 [IQR = 0.54-1.22]), and Chile (0.45 [IQR = 0.40-0.77]), while a significant increase in Uruguay (0.47 [IQR = 0.33-0.69]) was found from 2016 to 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, all countries sharply reduced their MD incidence. The highest incidence rates were observed among infants, followed by children 1-4 years of age. No second peak was evident in adolescents. A reduction in serogroup C, W, and Y cases has occurred in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile after introduction of MCV, serogroup B becoming predominant in all four countries. Median CFR was 9.0%, 21%, 19.9%, and 17.9% in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay, respectively. Median uptake of MCV for Argentina and Brazil were 66.6% and 91.0% for priming in infants; 54.7% and 84.5% for booster in toddlers; and 47.5% and 53% for adolescents; while for Chile, 95.6% for toddlers. CONCLUSIONS: Experience after the implementation of MCV programs in South America was successful, reducing the burden of MD due to the vaccine serogroups. High vaccine uptake and the inclusion of adolescents will be crucial in the post-pandemic period to maintain the protection of the population. The increase in the proportion of serogroup B cases emphasizes the importance of continuous surveillance to guide future vaccination strategies.

Síndrome hemolítico urémico secundario a Streptococcus pneumoniae. Reporte de un caso clínico / Streptococcus pneumoniae associated hemolytic uremic syndrome. Case report

El síndrome hemolítico urémico secundario a Streptococcus pneumoniae (SHU-Sp) es una complicación poco frecuente de las enfermedades invasoras por S. pneumoniae. Presenta una alta morbimortalidad, con requerimiento de transfusiones de glóbulos rojos y plaquetas, terapia de sustitución de la función renal de inicio precoz y más prolongada, así como mayores complicaciones a largo plazo, comparado con las formas secundarias a infección entérica por Escherichia coli productora de toxina Shiga. Presentamos el caso clínico de una preescolar de dos años, previamente sana, vacunada con tres dosis de PCV13, que desarrolló una insuficiencia renal aguda, anemia hemolítica y plaquetopenia, en el contexto de una neumonía con empiema y bacteriemia por S. pneumoniae.

Streptococcus pneumoniae associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (Sp-HUS) is an uncommon complication of invasive pneumococcal infections. Patients with Sp-HUS have a higher mortality and long term morbidity than those due to HUS from Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infections (STEC-HUS). They often require more red blood cells and platelet transfusions, and early initiation of renal substitution therapy, presenting a higher rate of arterial hypertension and chronic renal disease in the long term, compared to STEC-HUS. We report a healthy 2 year-old infant, vaccinated with three doses PCV13, that developed acute renal failure, hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia in the course of a complicated pneumococcal pneumonia with empyema and bacteremia.

Dolor abdominal: ¿cuándo pensar en apendicitis aguda? Características epidemiológicas y clínicas de niños ingresados en el Hospital Policial (junio 2008 - noviembre 2014) / Abdominal pain: when should we consider acute appendicitis? epidemiological and clinical characteristics of children admitted to the Uruguayan Police Forces hospital between june 2008 and november 2014 / Dor abdominal: quando pensar em apendicite aguda? características epidemiológicas e clínicas de crianças admitidas no hospital policial de Uruguay em junho de 2008 a novembro de 2014

Resumen: Introducción: el dolor abdominal agudo es un motivo de consulta frecuente en pediatría. Es importante realizar oportunamente el diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda, ya que esto contribuye a disminuir la morbimortalidad. Objetivo: analizar las características epidemiológicas, clínicas y evolución de niños ingresados por dolor abdominal. Identificar características clínicas y paraclínicas que orienten al diagnóstico oportuno de apendicitis aguda. Metodología: estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo, incluyendo niños menores de 14 años ingresados en sala de Pediatría entre junio de 2008 y noviembre de 2014. Fuente de datos: revisión de historias clínicas. Resultados: se incluyeron 217 pacientes; 52% fueron niñas (112) y 48% niños (105). El dolor fue en fosa ilíaca derecha 51% (110); 29% (63) en primavera, 24% (52) en verano, 24% (52) en otoño y 23% (50) en invierno. De los niños con apendicitis: 61% (54) presentó vómitos, 26% (23) lengua saburral, 40% (39) fiebre, de éstos 53% (19) 38 a 38,9 °C. Se hallaron en 45% (40) cifras mayores a 15.000 leucocitos, 41% (37) menores a 15.000 y en 14% (12) no se realizó hemograma. La proteína C reactiva (PCR) fue menor a 20 mg/L en 32% (28) y mayor en 22% (20). La ecografía abdominal fue normal en 56% (22); 5% (6) presentó complicaciones durante la internación. Conclusiones: el diagnóstico más frecuente fue la apendicitis aguda, seguido de dolor abdominal inespecífico. En la mayoría de los casos en los que se planteó el diagnóstico clínico de apendicitis, fue confirmada en intraoperatorio y por análisis anatomopatológico. El dolor como síntoma tuvo mayor rendimiento diagnóstico. Los vómitos y la fiebre se asociaron con mayor probabilidad de apendicitis aguda. El 40% presentó fiebre, la mayoría entre 38 y 38,9 °C. La leucocitosis y la PCR no fueron orientadores para el diagnóstico de apendicitis. La ecografía abdominal tampoco fue concluyente.

Summary: Introduction: acute abdominal pain is a reason for frequent consultation in Pediatrics. It is important to diagnose acute appendicitis in time, thus reducing morbidity and mortality. Objective: to analyze the epidemiological characteristics, statistics and evolution of children admitted for abdominal pain. Identify the clinical and paraclinical characteristics that lead to diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Methodology: observational, descriptive, retrospective study of children under 14 years of age previously admitted to the Pediatric ward from June 2008 to November 2014. Data source: Review of Electronic Medical Records. Results: we included 217 patients, 52% girls (112) and 48% boys (105). The pain was in the right iliac fossa 51% (110). 29% (63) of the cases took place in Spring, 24% (52) Summer, 24% (52) Autumn and 23% (50) in Winter. Of the children with appendicitis: 61% (54) presented vomiting, 26% (23) saburral tongue, 40% (39) fever, and 53% of them (19) had 38 to 38.9°C temperature. 45% (40) of them showed more than 15,000 leukocytes, 41% (37) less than 15,000 and no blood count was performed on 14% of patients. CRP was lower than 20 mg/L in 32% (28) of patients and higher in 22% (20) of them. Abdominal ultrasound was normal in 56% (22) of patients. 5% (6) of them presented complications during hospitalization. Conclusions: the most frequent diagnosis was acute appendicitis, followed by nonspecific abdominal pain. Most appendicitis cases diagnosed were confirmed intraoperatively and through pathological anatomical analysis. Pain as a symptom had a better diagnostic performance. Vomiting and fever are associated with a higher probability of acute appendicitis. 40% of the patients had fever, mainly between 38 and 38.9°C. Leukocytosis and C-reactive protein were leading factors for the diagnosis of appendicitis. Abdominal ultrasound was also inconclusive.

Resumo: Introdução: a dor abdominal aguda é motivo frequente de consulta pediátrica. É importante fazer um diagnóstico oportuno da apendicite aguda, pois isso contribui para diminuir a sua morbimortalidade. Objetivo: analisar características epidemiológicas, clínicas e evolução de crianças internadas por dor abdominal. Identificar as características clínicas e paraclínicas que levam ao diagnóstico oportuno de apendicite aguda. Metodologia: estudo observacional, descritivo, retrospectivo, realizado a crianças menores de 14 anos de idade internadas na Enfermaria Pediátrica de junho de 2008 a novembro de 2014. Fonte de dados: revisão dos Prontuários Médicos. Resultados: foram incluídos 217 pacientes, 52% meninas (112) e 48% meninos (105). A dor localizou-se na fossa ilíaca direita 51% (110). 29% (63) dos casos ocorreram na primavera, 24% (52) no verão, 24% (52) no outono e 23% (50) no inverno. Das crianças com apendicite: 61% (54) apresentaram vômitos, 26% (23) língua saburral, 40% (39) febre e 53% delas (19) apresentaram temperatura de 38 a 38,9°C. 45% (40) delas apresentaram mais de 15.000 leucócitos, 41% (37) menos de 15.000 e não realizamos nenhum hemograma em 14% dos pacientes. A PCR foi inferior a 20 mg/L em 32% (28) dos pacientes e superior em 22% (20) deles. A ultrassonografia abdominal foi normal em 56% (22) dos pacientes. 5% (6) deles apresentaram complicações durante a internação. Conclusões: o diagnóstico mais frequente foi apendicite aguda, seguida de dor abdominal inespecífica. A maioria dos casos de apendicite diagnosticada foi confirmada no intra-operatório e através da análise anatômica patológica. A dor como sintoma apresentou melhor desempenho diagnóstico. Vômitos e febre estiveram associados a uma maior probabilidade de apendicite aguda. 40% dos pacientes apresentaram febre, principalmente entre 38 e 38,9°C. A Leucocitose e a Proteína C-reativa foram os principais fatores para realizar o diagnóstico de apendicite. O ultrassom abdominal também foi inconclusivo.