Follow-up for 3 years of a pediatric population diagnosed in 2018 with mother-to-child transmission of HIV in 8 Latin American countries in the PLANTAIDS cohort.

INTRODUCTION: The frequency of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Latin America has decreased considerably. However, new infections continue to be recorded, and the pediatric population remains one of the most vulnerable groups in this region. The main objective of the study was to describe the clinical, epidemiological and psychosocial characteristics of new diagnoses of HIV MTCT in 2018 in the PLANTAIDS network (Paediatric Network for Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment of HIV in Children) during the 3 years following diagnosis. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective, multicenter, descriptive study based on a 3-year follow-up of patients diagnosed with HIV infection due to MTCT in 2018 in 10 hospitals in 8 Latin American countries (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, Guatemala and Venezuela). The hospitals belonged to the PLANTAIDS network, which is included in CYTED (Ibero-American Programme of Science and Technology for Development). RESULTS: The study population comprised 72 pediatric patients (38.9% male). The median age at diagnosis was 2.4 years (IQR: 0.8-5.4). There were 35 cases of opportunistic infections corresponding to 25 patients (34.7%), with tuberculosis being the most common. Adequate childhood vaccination coverage was achieved in 80.5%. There were 3 cases of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, and these were asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classification, the most frequent clinical-immunological stage at all check-ups was C1. Three patients died from opportunistic infections and/or advanced HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to diagnose HIV infection early in pediatrics, since early initiation of ART is associated with a decrease in mortality. Despite this, HIV infection has a poor prognosis in children, necessitating adequate follow-up to ensure adherence to health care and ART, although it can sometimes prove difficult in children.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) temporally related to COVID-19: the experience at a pediatric reference hospital in Colombia / Síndrome inflamatória multissistêmica em criança associada à COVID-19: experiência em um hospital pediátrico de referência na Colômbia

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and the different phenotypes of children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) temporally related to COVID-19 and to evaluate the risk conditions that favored a greater severity of the disease during a 12-month period at a pediatric reference hospital in Colombia. Methods: A 12-month retrospective observational study of children under the age of 18 years who met criteria for MIS-C. Results: A total of 28 children presented MIS-C criteria. The median age was 7 years. Other than fever (100%) (onset 4 days prior to admission), the most frequent clinical features were gastrointestinal (86%) and mucocutaneous (61%). Notably, 14 (50%) children had Kawasaki-like symptoms. The most frequent echocardiographic abnormalities were pericardial effusion (64%), valvular involvement (68%), ventricular dysfunction (39%), and coronary artery abnormalities (29%). In addition, 75% had lymphopenia. All had at least one abnormal coagulation test. Most received intravenous immunoglobulin (89%), glucocorticoids (82%), vasopressors (54%), and antibiotics (64%). Notably, 61% had a more severe form of the disease and were admitted to an intensive care unit (median 4 days, mean 6 days); the severity predictors were patients with the inflammatory/MIS-C phenotype (OR 26.5; 95%CI 1.40-503.7; p=0.029) and rash (OR 14.7; 95%CI 1.2-178.7; p=0.034). Two patients had macrophage activation syndrome. Conclusions: Coronary artery abnormalities, ventricular dysfunction, and intensive care unit admission were frequent, which needs to highlight the importance of early clinical suspicion.

Resumo Objetivo: Descrever as características clínicas e os diferentes fenótipos de crianças com síndrome inflamatória multissistêmica na criança temporalmente relacionada com a COVID-19 (do inglês multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children — MIS-C) e avaliar as condições de risco que favorecem a maior gravidade da doença durante um período de 12 meses em um hospital pediátrico de referência na Colômbia. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de 12 meses de observação de crianças menores de 18 anos que cumprem os critérios para o MIS-C. Resultados: Vinte e oito crianças foram apresentadas com os critérios do MIS-C. A idade média era de sete anos, e 54% eram do sexo masculino. Para além da febre (100%) (com início quatro dias antes da admissão), as características clínicas mais frequentes eram gastrointestinais (86%) e mucocutâneas (61%). Quatorze crianças (50%) apresentavam sintomas semelhantes aos de Kawasaki. As anomalias ecocardiográficas mais frequentes foram derrame pericárdico (64%), envolvimento valvar (68%), disfunção ventricular (39%) e anomalias coronárias (29%). Tinham linfopenia 75% das crianças. Todas tinham algum teste de coagulação anormal. A maioria recebeu imunoglobulina intravenosa (89%), glucocorticoides (82%), vasopressores (54%) e antibióticos (64%). Tiveram envolvimento mais grave 61% dos pacientes, que precisaram ser internados em unidade de terapia intensiva (mediana de quatro dias, média de seis dias); os preditores de gravidade foram pacientes com fenótipo inflamatório/ MIS-C (odds ratio — OR 26,5; intervalo de confiança — IC95% 1,4-503,7; p=0,029) e erupção cutânea (OR 14,7; IC95% 1,2-178,7; p=0,034). Dois pacientes (7%) apresentavam síndrome de ativação macrofágica. Conclusões: Alteração da artéria coronária, disfunção ventricular e internação na unidade de terapia intensiva foram frequentes, o que nos alerta sobre a importância da suspeita clínica precoce.

Thrombosis and hemorrhage experienced by hospitalized children with SARS-CoV-2 infection or MIS-C: Results of the PICNIC registry.

INTRODUCTION: Coagulopathy and thrombosis associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection are well defined in hospitalized adults and leads to adverse outcomes. Pediatric studies are limited. METHODS: An international multicentered (n = 15) retrospective registry collected information on the clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) in hospitalized children from February 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021. This sub-study focused on coagulopathy. Study variables included patient demographics, comorbidities, clinical presentation, hospital course, laboratory parameters, management, and outcomes. RESULTS: Nine hundred eighty-five children were enrolled, of which 915 (93%) had clinical information available; 385 (42%) had symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, 288 had MIS-C (31.4%), and 242 (26.4%) had SARS-CoV-2 identified incidentally. Ten children (1%) experienced thrombosis, 16 (1.7%) experienced hemorrhage, and two (0.2%) experienced both thrombosis and hemorrhage. Significantly prevalent prothrombotic comorbidities included congenital heart disease (p-value .007), respiratory support (p-value .006), central venous catheter (CVC) (p = .04) in children with primary SARS-CoV-2 and in those with MIS-C included respiratory support (p-value .03), obesity (p-value .002), and cytokine storm (p = .012). Comorbidities prevalent in children with hemorrhage included age >10 years (p = .04), CVC (p = .03) in children with primary SARS-CoV-2 infection and in those with MIS-C encompassed thrombocytopenia (p = .001) and cytokine storm (p = .02). Eleven patients died (1.2%), with no deaths attributed to thrombosis or hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Thrombosis and hemorrhage are uncommon events in children with SARS-CoV-2; largely experienced by those with pre-existing comorbidities. Understanding the complete spectrum of coagulopathy in children with SARS-CoV-2 infection requires ongoing research.

Pediatric Ocular Toxocariasis in Costa Rica: 1998-2018 Experience.

PURPOSE: To report the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes of patients with ocular toxocariasis. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients diagnosed with ocular toxocariasis at a pediatric referral center from 1998 until 2018 in Costa Rica. RESULTS: 157 patients were diagnosed with ocular toxocariasis with a mean follow-up of 3.1 years. The mean age at presentation was 6.7 years old. The most common causes of consultation included decreased vision (29.9%), strabismus (26.7%), and leukocoria (19.7%). The most common findings included peripheral granuloma, posterior pole granuloma, and chronic endophthalmitis. Sixty-nine (43.9%) eyes had retinal detachment. Patients were managed with a variety of treatments including pars plana vitrectomy, systemic corticosteroids, anti-helminthic drugs or a combination of these. Most eyes did not exhibit functional improvement despite treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with pediatric ocular toxocariasis in Costa Rica often present late and despite treatment, most remain with poor vision in the affected eye.

Recomendaciones pediátricas para el manejo de la uveítis no infecciosa en Costa Rica / Pediatric recommendations for the management of non-infectious uveitis in Costa Rica

Resumen Justificación: La uveítis idiopática y la asociada a artritis idiopática juvenil son condiciones oculares que llevan a deterioro visual. En Costa Rica, la incidencia en pediatría se desconoce; aunque existe una clínica especializada en el Hospital Nacional de Niños para el manejo de estas patologías, no hay guías ni recomendaciones de manejo que hayan sido publicadas. Objetivos: Resumir las recomendaciones de manejo vigentes para uveítis no infecciosas y ofrecer una guía adaptada a la realidad costarricense, específicamente para población pediátrica. Métodos: Se efectuó una revisión no sistemática de bibliografía médica indexada en las plataformas PubMed y Scielo, sobre el diagnóstico y manejo de uveítis no infecciosa orientado a población pediátrica y en artritis idiopática juvenil. Se revisaron las guías recomendadas en Europa y se ajustaron a lo que se realiza en la Clínica de Uveítis del Hospital Nacional de Niños. Conclusiones: Se realiza una propuesta de manejo que incluye una valoración oftalmológica oportuna, diagnóstico certero, y tratamiento temprano y agresivo para prevención de complicaciones y minimizar secuelas.

Summary Importance: Idiopathic uveitis and that associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis are ocular conditions that lead to visual impairment. In Costa Rica, the incidence in pediatric population is unknown; although there is a specialized clinic at the National Children's Hospital for the management of these pathologies, there are no guidelines or recommendations published in our country. Aims: To summarize the current management recommendations for non-infectious uveitis and offer a guide adapted to the Costa Rican reality, specifically for the pediatric population. Methods: A non-systematic review of indexed medical literature on PubMed and Scielo platforms was carried out on the diagnosis and management of non-infectious uveitis aimed to pediatric patients and in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The recommended guidelines in Europe were reviewed and adjusted to what is done at the Uveitis Clinic of the National Children's Hospital. Conclusions: A management proposal is made that includes a timely ophthalmological evaluation, accurate diagnosis; early and aggressive treatment to prevent complications and minimize sequelae

Tuberculosis congénita: presentación de un caso y revisión de literatura / Congenital tuberculosis: presentation of a case and review of literature

La tuberculosis (TB) se declaró por la OMS como una emergencia global La TB congénita (TBC) es muy rara, siendo rápida y progresiva. Los criterios para su diagnóstico son: (1) lesiones en la primera semana de vida; (2) complejo hepático primario o granulomas caseosos; (3) infección tuberculosa documentada en endometrio o placenta y (4) exclusión de infección tuberculosa luego del nacimiento de otras fuentes. Es difícil encontrar estos criterios por lo que la TBC debe ser considerada en todo neonato enfermo, con pobre respuesta a la terapia antibiótica convencional, especialmente si la madre tiene factores de riesgo para esta infección. Los exámenes de TB en niños son poco sensibles. El diagnóstico diferencial entre TBC y TB postnatal es puramente académico y epidemiológico, ya que el manejo es el mismo para ambas entidades. El objetivo de este reporte es presentar un caso de TBC.(AU) Palabras clave: Tuberculosis congénita, tuberculosis puerperio

Tamizaje neonatal de fibrosis quística en Costa Rica: razones para apoyarlo o refutarlo / Newborn screening of cystic fibrosis in Costa Rica: reason to support it or to refute it

La fibrosis quística (FQ) es una enfermedad caracterizada por obstrucción pulmonar crónica y malabsorción secundaria a insuficiencia pancreática exócrina. Debido a fenotipos variados con respecto al anterior, en algunas ocasiones el diagnóstico se establece tardíamente; luego de varios episodios de exacerbación pulmonar o gastrointestinal, que comprometen la salud general de quienes la padecen. La confirmación se realiza por medio de una determinación de cloruros en sudor, identificación de la mutación genética o medición del potencial eléctrico en la mucosa nasal. En Costa Rica se diagnosticaron como mínimo 7 casos por año en los últimos 4 años para una incidencia calculada en 1.5 por 10000 nacidos vivos, tomando únicamente aquellos casos de fenotipo más severo. Desde hace varios años se cuenta con la capacidad para el tamizaje neonatal de la FQ, desarrollado bajo el supuesto de que el curso de la enfermedad es modificable si el paciente se trata en forma temprana. Pese a lo razonable de esta intervención, aun existe controversia sobre la conveniencia de aplicar estos programas. Dentro de los puntos en discutibles se citan: los estudios no son totalmente claros sobre el beneficio a nivel pulmonar del tamizaje neonatal, se dice que aún con un diagnóstico temprano no se elimina el daño pulmonar, solamente se propone; además algunos estudios concluyen que no hay diferencia en peso, talla e índice de masa corporal después de los primeros años de vida. Dentro de las razones que apoyan el tamizaje: se mejora la calidad del niño en sus primeros años, disminuye las infecciones a repetición y malnutrición y merjora la confianza de los padres en el médico. Este artículo prentende considerar la conveniencia de incluir la FQ en el programa Nacional de Tamizaje y sus posibles repercusiones desde el punto de vista ético, social y económico en Costa Rica. Palabras clave: Fibrosis quística, tamizaje neonatal, inmunotripsina reactiva, CFTR, canal de cloruros