The effects of measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic on the seasonal dynamics of respiratory viruses in children.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the effects of public health measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic on respiratory viruses. METHODS: The study was conducted between February 1, 2021 and December 1, 2022. Patients aged 1 month to 18 years hospitalized for infectious diseases were tested for SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory viruses by multiplex PCR. RESULTS: Of the total 1173 patients, 56.2% were male and 43.8% were female, and 47.5% of the patients were under 24 months of age. The viruses detected were SARS-CoV-2 31.9%, human rhinovirus/enterovirus 19.4%, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) 9.3%, parainfluenza virus 7%, adenovirus 6%, seasonal coronavirus 5.2%, bocavirus 3.8%, influenza 3.1%, and metapneumovirus 2.8%. Among the patients, 386 were hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections, 238 with upper respiratory tract infections, 202 to evaluate fever etiology, 111 with acute gastroenteritis and 236 with other diagnoses. Of these patients, 113 were admitted to the intensive care unit. Intensive care unit admission rates were statistically significantly higher for bocavirus and RSV, in those hospitalized between July 1, 2021 and July 1, 2022 (first period when schools were held full-time face-toface at all grades) and in children aged 1-24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Public health measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the seasonal distribution of respiratory viruses and the severity of illness in children.

A case of bradycardia during SARS CoV-2 infection in a 14-year-old child.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) has caused an infectious disease that affects multiple organs. Recently, the cardiological effects of the virus have also been striking. To the best of our knowledge, there are no SARS CoV-2 positive paediatric cases reported with sinus bradycardia in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 14-year-old male patient presented with complaints of abdominal pain and fatigue. The heart rate of the patient, whose grandmother was found to be positive for SARS CoV-2 test, ranged between 43 and 60/min, the heart sounds were normal. There was no known history of cardiological disorder in the patient and his family. His laboratory findings were; normal Troponin I, elevated C Reactive protein, normal Haemoglobin, normal CK-MB, mildly elevated D-Dimer. Electrocardiography of the patient was evaluated as sinus bradycardia. There was no pathological finding in his echocardiography. The SARS CoV-2 PCR test was positive. In his follow-up, the heart rate decreased to 50 beats per minute while awake and 43 beats per minute while sleeping. The patient had a bradycardic course until the 4th day of hospitalisation. Control SARS CoV-2 PCR test was negative. He was discharged on the 8th day. CONCLUSION: It's understood that SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for multiple cardiac manifestations. The most common bradyarrhythmia associated with SARS CoV-2 reported worldwide is sinus bradycardia and complete heart block. In order to contribute to the literature, we present a 14-year-old paediatric patient with positive SARS CoV-2 PCR test who has normal cardiac tests and sinus bradycardia.

SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among pediatric health care personnel after the first peak of the pandemic: nationwide surveillance in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Understanding SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among health care personnel is important to explore risk factors for transmission, develop elimination strategies and form a view on the necessity and frequency of surveillance in the future. METHODS: We enrolled 4927 health care personnel working in pediatric units at 32 hospitals from 7 different regions of Turkey in a study to determine SARS Co-V-2 seroprevalence after the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. A point of care serologic lateral flow rapid test kit for immunoglobulin (Ig)M/IgG was used. Seroprevalence and its association with demographic characteristics and possible risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity prevalence in health care personnel tested was 6.1%. Seropositivity was more common among those who did not universally wear protective masks (10.6% vs 6.1%). Having a COVID-19-positive co-worker increased the likelihood of infection. The least and the most experienced personnel were more likely to be infected. Most of the seropositive health care personnel (68.0%) did not suspect that they had previously had COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Health surveillance for health care personnel involving routine point-of-care nucleic acid testing and monitoring personal protective equipment adherence are suggested as important strategies to protect health care personnel from COVID-19 and reduce nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission.