Hospitalizations and deaths of children and adolescents with Severe Acute Respiratory Infection due to COVID-19 during the epidemiological year of 2020

ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyze the profile of hospitalizations and factors associated with the deaths of children and adolescents with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) caused by SARS-CoV-2 nationwide. The study comprised 6,843 children and adolescents hospitalized in 2020 who tested positive for COVID-19, based on data from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System. Sociodemographic and clinical profiles, hospitalization frequency, lethality and recovery rates were analyzed. The outcome was recovery or death. The 6,843 children and adolescents comprised 1.9% of SARI hospitalized cases (n = 563,051). Of these, 57.7% developed critical SARI and 90% survived. Comorbidities were present in 40.8%, especially asthma, immunodepression, and neurological and cardiovascular diseases. The main symptoms were fever, cough, dyspnea, respiratory distress, and low oxygen saturation. Among those with critical SARI, 91.4% died. There was a higher frequency of children, especially those under five years of age and of mixed ethnicity. The highest hospitalization frequency occurred in the Southeastern and Northeastern regions, the highest recovery rates in the Southeastern and Southern regions, and the highest lethality rates in the Northern and Northeastern regions. Deaths were associated with ages ranging from 12 to 19 and being under one year of age, living in the Northern and Northeastern regions, progression to critical SARI, and having immunosuppression and cardiovascular disease. In contrast, asthma was associated with lower death rates. The frequency of complications and mortality rates caused by SARS-Cov-2 in the pediatric population are relevant, as well as the severity of the epidemic in the social inequality context and the health services' frailty.

Survival of patients with diabetes mellitus hospitalized for acute respiratory syndrome due to COVID-19

ABSTRACT Given the magnitude of COVID-19 and the increase in hospitalization cases for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), especially among patients with diabetes mellitus, it is essential to understand the epidemiological aspects inherent to the disease and the worsening of cases. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the survival of patients with diabetes mellitus hospitalized for SARS due to COVID-19 in different regions of Brazil. This is a longitudinal study, carried out based on data reported in the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System during the year 2020. The number of patients with diabetes mellitus among the hospitalized cases of SARS due to COVID-19 in the different regions of Brazil and the lethality rate among them were identified. A comparison of patient profiles of those who survived or did not survive and the Cox regression analysis were performed to evaluate the factors associated with shorter survival of patients. It was found that 51.4% of patients hospitalized with SARS due to COVID-19 had diabetes, and the case lethality rate among them was 45.0%. The Northeastern and Northern regions presented a higher proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus (56.5% and 54.3%, respectively) and a higher lethality rate (53.8% and 59.9%, respectively). The mean survival time of cases with diabetes mellitus hospitalized for SARS due to COVID-19 was estimated to be 35.7 days (0.5 days). A lower survival rate was observed among residents of the Northeastern and Northern regions with skin color reported as non-white, who required admission to Intensive Care Units and invasive mechanical ventilation, and presented respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, respiratory distress and an oxygen saturation lower than 95%. It is concluded that diabetes mellitus was responsible for the high occurrence and lethality, mainly in the Northeastern and Northern regions, among non-white patients and those with greater clinical severity, which reinforces the importance of taking measures aimed at supporting this population.

Reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome in a 10-year-old child / Síndrome da encefalopatia reversível posterior em uma criança de 10 anos

Abstract Introduction: The posterior reversible encephalopathy (PRES) syndrome encompasses a set of clinical-radiological findings associated with severe systemic arterial hypertension. This case report proposes to discuss the identification, diagnosis, and management of PRES in the pediatric population. Case presentation: Female patient, 10 years old, admitted to the emergency room with complaint of oliguria and generalized edema. At the initial physical exam, the only alteration present was anasarca. The diagnostic investigation revealed nephrotic syndrome, and clinical treatment was started. She evolved on the 8th day of hospitalization with peak hypertension, sudden visual loss, reduced level of consciousness, nystagmus, and focal seizures requiring intubation. She was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, with neurological improvement, after the established therapy. CT scan revealed a discrete hypodense area in the white matter of the occipital lobe and anteroposterior groove asymmetry, compatible with PRES. Discussion: PRES is due to vasogenic cerebral edema of acute or subacute installation. Symptoms include headache and altered consciousness, stupor, coma, neurological deficits, seizures and cortical blindness. Nephropathies are the main cause of PRES in pediatrics. Magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion of molecules is the gold standard for diagnosis. The initial treatment objectives are the reduction of blood pressure, antiepileptic therapy, correction of hydroelectrolytic and acid-base disorders and management of intracranial hypertension. Conclusion: PRES is associated with acute hypertension. Early diagnosis and proper management may determine a better prognosis and minimize the severity of the clinical course.

Resumo Introdução: A Síndrome de Encefalopatia Posterior Reversível (SEPR) engloba um conjunto de achados clínico-radiológicos, associados a hipertensão arterial sistêmica grave. Este relato de caso propõe discutir a identificação, o diagnóstico e o manejo de SEPR na população pediátrica. Apresentação do caso: Paciente do sexo feminino, 10 anos, admitida em pronto-atendimento com queixa de oligúria e edema generalizado. Ao exame físico inicial, a única alteração presente era anasarca. A investigação diagnóstica revelou síndrome nefrótica, iniciando-se tratamento clínico. Evoluiu no 8º dia de internação com pico hipertensivo, perda visual súbita, redução do nível de consciência, nistagmo e crises convulsivas focais, demandando intubação. Foi transferida para Unidade de Terapia Intensiva, com melhora neurológica, após a terapêutica instituída. Tomografia de crânio evidenciou área de hipodensidade discreta em substância branca do lobo occipital e assimetria anteroposterior de sulcos, compatível com SEPR. Discussão: A SEPR decorre de edema cerebral vasogênico de instalação aguda ou subaguda. Sintomas descritos incluem cefaleia e alteração de consciência, estupor, coma, déficits neurológicos, convulsões e cegueira cortical. As nefropatias constituem as principais causas de SEPR em pediatria. A ressonância magnética com difusão de moléculas é o padrão-ouro para o diagnóstico. Os objetivos iniciais são a redução dos níveis pressóricos, terapia antiepiléptica, correção de distúrbios hidroeletrolíticos e do equilíbrio ácido-básico, e manejo da hipertensão intracraniana. Conclusão: A SEPR ocorre associada à hipertensão aguda. O diagnóstico precoce e manejo adequado podem determinar melhor prognóstico e minimizar a gravidade do curso clínico.