Treatment of Acute COVID-19 and COVID-19 Exposures in Children and Adolescents.

ABSTRACT: The landscape of acute COVID-19 therapeutics has dramatically evolved since the onset of the pandemic. The treatment of acute COVID-19 in children and adolescents requires knowledge of risk factors and clinical features to appropriately select antiviral and immunomodulatory therapies. This review article provides updated guidance for emergency physicians in the treatment of acute COVID-19 in children and adolescents.

A Review of the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Flaccid Myelitis in the Emergency Department.

ABSTRACT: Since 2014, biennial rises in acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) have brought attention to this rare but debilitating condition. Children with AFM typically present with acute onset, flaccid weakness accompanied by longitudinally extensive gray matter injury demonstrated on magnetic resonance imaging. A clearer understanding of the epidemiology and suspected pathogenesis of AFM may result in increased recognition. The purpose of this review article is to guide emergency physicians in recognizing key clinical features, initiating diagnostic evaluation and providing appropriate interventions for children with suspected AFM.

Trends in RSV testing patterns among infants presenting with bronchiolitis: Results from four United States health systems, 2015-2023.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiolitis due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of hospitalization among American infants. The overall burden of RSV among infants has been historically under-estimated due to variable testing practices, particularly in the outpatient setting. Universal masking and social distancing implemented during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic altered RSV seasonality, however potential consequences on RSV testing practices across different healthcare settings and sociodemographic groups have not been described. Variable testing practices could also affect accurate assessment of the effects of two recently approved RSV preventative agents targeting infants. METHODS: Utilizing real-time clinical and viral surveillance, we examined RSV testing practices among infants with bronchiolitis within four United States healthcare systems across different healthcare settings and sociodemographic groups pre- and post-COVID-19. RESULTS: RSV testing among infants with bronchiolitis increased since 2015 within each healthcare system across all healthcare settings and sociodemographic groups, with a more dramatic increase since the COVID-19 pandemic. Outpatient testing remained disproportionately low compared to hospital-based testing, although there were no major differences in testing frequency among sociodemographic groups in either setting. CONCLUSIONS: Although RSV testing increased among infants with bronchiolitis, relatively low outpatient testing rates remain a key barrier to accurate RSV surveillance.

Geographic Progression of Infant Respiratory Syncytial Virus Associated Bronchiolitis Across the United States Before and Since the Onset of COVID-19: Results From Four Health Systems, 2015-2023.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a substantial cause of infant morbidity and mortality due to seasonal peaks of bronchiolitis across the United States. Clinical and viral surveillance plays a pivotal role in helping hospital systems prepare for expected surges in RSV bronchiolitis. Existing surveillance efforts have shown a geographic pattern of RSV positivity across the United States, with cases typically starting in the southeast and spreading north and west. Public health measures implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted viral transmission across the nation and altered the expected seasonality of RSV. The impact of these changes on the geographic progression of infant RSV bronchiolitis across the United States has not been described. METHODS: Here, we used clinical and viral surveillance data from four health care systems located in different regions of the United States to describe the geographic progression of infant RSV bronchiolitis across the country from 2015 to 2023. RESULTS: Prior to widespread circulation of SARS-CoV-2, infant RSV bronchiolitis followed an established geographic pattern associated with seasonal epidemics originating in Florida and spreading north (North Carolina and New York) and later westward (Nevada). Although public health and social measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the seasonality of RSV disease, infant RSV bronchiolitis epidemics progressed across the nation in a pattern identical to the prepandemic era. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the importance of ongoing clinical and viral surveillance to optimally track the onset of RSV epidemics and allow health care systems to prepare for expected RSV bronchiolitis surges.

Epidemiology of RSV Bronchiolitis Among Young Children in Central New York Before and After the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is the leading cause of hospitalizations among infants in the United States. Unpredictability in RSV seasonality has occurred following the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Local surveillance networks can enhance the ability to appropriately time prophylaxis when exposure risk is highest. METHODS: A retrospective, cohort study was conducted to describe the epidemiologic patterns of RSV disease among outpatient, emergency department and inpatient encounters in children <5 years in Central New York before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Local data were collected from October 2015 to January 2023 and compared to state-level data. Linear regression models were used to identify clinical and sociodemographic differences before and after the pandemic. RESULTS: Local variation in RSV seasonality was noted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, however highly atypical circulation patterns appeared in the post-COVID-19 era. Since March 2020, patterns for local and state-defined RSV seasons have remained atypical (local season onset in 2021: week 27 and 2022: week 27; state season onset in 2021: week 31 and 2022: week 38). After adjusting for increases in testing, RSV bronchiolitis cases were not significantly different during pre- and post-pandemic eras. In comparison to the 2021 bronchiolitis season, the 2022 season had a higher proportion of RSV cases despite decreased testing. CONCLUSIONS: Temporal patterns for RSV have shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Local surveillance networks may be advantageous in trending community-level RSV activity to optimize prophylaxis administration. Changes in RSV testing patterns occurred throughout the study period and should be accounted for when describing infant and childhood RSV disease.

Vaccine hesitancy in the refugee, immigrant, and migrant population in the United States: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Refugees, immigrants, and migrants (RIM) in the United States (US) have been identified as an underimmunized population prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine acceptance is critical to combat the public health threat incited by COVID-19 and other vaccine-preventable disease. To better understand escalating vaccine hesitancy among US RIM, a comprehensive evaluation of the problem and solutions is necessary. In this systematic review, we included 57 studies to describe vaccination rates, barriers, and interventions addressing vaccine hesitancy over the past decade. Meta-analysis was performed among 22 studies, concluding that RIM represent an underimmunized population compared to the general US population. Narrative synthesis and qualitative methods were used to identify critical barriers, including gaps in knowledge, poor access to medical care, and heightened distrust of the medical system. Our results demonstrate the need for effective, evidence-based interventions to increase vaccination rates among diverse RIM populations.

Lead Exposure in Newly Resettled Pediatric Refugees in Syracuse, NY.

Lead is a major environmental toxin that presents numerous health consequences for children. Refugee children are at a risk of lead poisoning post-resettlement due to urban housing and environmental inequalities stemming from lack of funding, legislation, and advocacy. This article addresses lead exposure upon arrival and post-resettlement in 705 refugee children (age 0-16 years) attending a university clinic in Syracuse, NY, a city with a large refugee population. 17% of the newly arrived children had elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) (≥ 5 µg/dL); 10% had elevated BLL upon follow-up; 8.3% of the children's follow-up elevated BLL were new exposures. 30% were found to have increased BLL at follow-up regardless of arrival status. An analysis of new exposures found a significant proportion of children would have been missed on routine screening that targets children < 2 years old. Primary prevention efforts are needed to prevent exposure and address risks to improve the health of all children locally, including newly resettled refugees.

Allogeneic tumor cell vaccines: the promise and limitations in clinical trials.

The high mortality rate associated with cancer and its resistance to conventional treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy has led to the investigation of a variety of anti-cancer immunotherapies. The development of novel immunotherapies has been bolstered by the discovery of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), through gene sequencing and proteomics. One such immunotherapy employs established allogeneic human cancer cell lines to induce antitumor immunity in patients through TAA presentation. Allogeneic cancer immunotherapies are desirable in a clinical setting due to their ease of production and availability. This review aims to summarize clinical trials of allogeneic tumor immunotherapies in various cancer types. To date, clinical trials have shown limited success due potentially to extensive degrees of inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity found among cancer patients. However, these clinical results provide guidance for the rational design and creation of more effective allogeneic tumor immunotherapies for use as monotherapies or in combination with other therapies.