Panoramic snapshot of serum soluble mediator interplay in pregnant women with convalescent COVID-19: an exploratory study.

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy can induce changes in the maternal immune response, with effects on pregnancy outcome and offspring. This is a cross-sectional observational study designed to characterize the immunological status of pregnant women with convalescent COVID-19 at distinct pregnancy trimesters. The study focused on providing a clear snapshot of the interplay among serum soluble mediators. Methods: A sample of 141 pregnant women from all prenatal periods (1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters) comprised patients with convalescent SARS-CoV-2 infection at 3-20 weeks after symptoms onset (COVID, n=89) and a control group of pre-pandemic non-infected pregnant women (HC, n=52). Chemokine, pro-inflammatory/regulatory cytokine and growth factor levels were quantified by a high-throughput microbeads array. Results: In the HC group, most serum soluble mediators progressively decreased towards the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy, while higher chemokine, cytokine and growth factor levels were observed in the COVID patient group. Serum soluble mediator signatures and heatmap analysis pointed out that the major increase observed in the COVID group related to pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-12, IFN-γ and IL-17). A larger set of biomarkers displayed an increased COVID/HC ratio towards the 2nd (3x increase) and the 3rd (3x to 15x increase) trimesters. Integrative network analysis demonstrated that HC pregnancy evolves with decreasing connectivity between pairs of serum soluble mediators towards the 3rd trimester. Although the COVID group exhibited a similar profile, the number of connections was remarkably lower throughout the pregnancy. Meanwhile, IL-1Ra, IL-10 and GM-CSF presented a preserved number of correlations (≥5 strong correlations in HC and COVID), IL-17, FGF-basic and VEGF lost connectivity throughout the pregnancy. IL-6 and CXCL8 were included in a set of acquired attributes, named COVID-selective (≥5 strong correlations in COVID and <5 in HC) observed at the 3rd pregnancy trimester. Discussion and conclusion: From an overall perspective, a pronounced increase in serum levels of soluble mediators with decreased network interplay between them demonstrated an imbalanced immune response in convalescent COVID-19 infection during pregnancy that may contribute to the management of, or indeed recovery from, late complications in the post-symptomatic phase of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women.

Olfactory sensory and perceptual evaluation in newborn infants: A systematic review.

Fetuses are able to process olfactory stimuli present in the womb and continue to show a preference for these odors for months after birth. Despite the accumulated knowledge about their early ability to perceive odors, there is a lack of validated scales for odor response in newborns. The evaluation of reactions of the olfactory system to environmental stimuli in infants has been defined by methodological theoretical approaches of experimental and clinical assessment tools. These approaches are mainly based on psychophysical approaches and predominantly use behavioral and physiological measures. Examples can be found in studies describing early abilities of newborn babies for behaviors or heart rate variability showing memory of maternal food preferences or mother's breast milk. This systematic review aimed to determine whether validated odor assessment tools can be feasibly used in studies. Particularly in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic and evidence of associated olfactory impairment resulting from SARS-COV-2 infection, the study is also motivated by the need for tools to assess olfactory function in neonates.

Olfactory sensory evaluation in newborn children of women infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy / Avaliação sensorial olfativa em crianças recémnascidas de mulheres infectadas com COVID-19 durante a gravidez

INTRODUCTION: In adults, olfactory loss is one of the earliest and most frequent acute clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The number of children infected with SARS-CoV-2 is relatively small, perhaps due to the lower expression of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) in children compared to adults. Little is known about foetal impairment in mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2. This paper describes an ongoing scientific project on smell perception in infantsOBJECTIVE: The goal of the study is to develop and validate a behavioural evaluative scale of olfactory perception in healthy newborns and to apply this scale to newborn children of women infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy comparing to newborn children of women without COVID-19 infection history, in order to compare these groupsMETHODS: This is a retrospective comparative analytical cohort study of 300 newborns exposed and unexposed to COVID-19 during pregnancy. The data collection will follow the experimental procedure in a previous study that explored odours of the maternal breastmilk, vanilla (sweet) and distilled water (neutral). A coffee smell was implemented as an addition to this previous study in order to include acid/bitterness category to the categories of stimuliDISCUSSION: It is feasible to argue the hypothesis of the involvement of the foetus' olfactory bulb as one of the indelible pathophysiological manifestations to the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 with neurosensory olfactory deficit in foetuses and newborns affected by intrauterine infection. This study aims to investigate if newborn children of women infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy have olfactory sensory changes. The clinical trial was registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC- RBR-65qxs2

INTRODUÇÃO: Em adultos, a perda olfativa é uma das manifestações clínicas agudas mais precoces e frequentes da infecção por SARS-CoV-2. O número de crianças infectadas com SARS-CoV-2 é pequeno, talvez devido à menor expressão da Enzima Conversora da Angiotensina 2 (ACE2) em crianças em comparação com adultos. Pouco se sabe sobre o comprometimento fetal em mães infectadas com SARS-CoV-2. Este artigo descreve um projeto em andamento sobre a percepção olfativa em bebês recém-nascidosOBJETIVO: o objetivo do presente estudo é desenvolver e validar uma escala de avaliação comportamental da percepção olfativa em recém-nascidos saudáveis e aplicá-la a recém-nascidos de mulheres infectadas com COVID-19 durante a gravidez e comparar a recém-nascidos de mulheres sem histórico de infecção por COVID-19MÉTODO: Este é um estudo de coorte analítico comparativo retrospectivo de 300 recém-nascidos expostos e não expostos ao COVID-19 durante a gravidez. A coleta de dados seguirá o procedimento experimental de estudo anterior que explorou odores do leite materno, baunilha (doce) e água destilada (neutro). Um cheiro de café foi implementado como um complemento a este estudo anterior, a fim de incluir a categoria ácido / amargo nas categorias de estímulosDISCUSSÃO: É possível argumentar a hipótese do envolvimento do bulbo olfatório do feto durante a vida intrauterina como uma das manifestações fisiopatológicas indeléveis para o diagnóstico clínico de COVID-19 com déficit olfatório neurossensorial em fetos e recém-nascidos afetados por infecção intrauterina. Este estudo tem como objetivo investigar se filhos recém-nascidos de mulheres infectadas com COVID-19 durante a gravidez apresentam alterações sensoriais olfativas. O ensaio clínico foi registrado no Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC- RBR-65qxs2

Pregnancy Outcomes and Child Development Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PROUDEST Trial): Protocol for a Multicenter, Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of evidence suggests that SARS-COV-2 infection during pregnancy may affect maternal-fetal outcomes and possibly result in implications for the long-term development of SARS-CoV-2-exposed children. OBJECTIVE: The PROUDEST (Pregnancy Outcomes and Child Development Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Study) is a multicenter, prospective cohort study designed to elucidate the repercussions of COVID-19 for the global health of mothers and their children. METHODS: The PROUDEST trial comprises 2 prospective, sequential substudies. The PREGNANT substudy will clinically assess the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium from a mechanistic standpoint to elucidate the pregnancy-related inflammatory and immunological phenomena underlying COVID-19. Pregnant women aged 18-40 years who have been exposed (proven with laboratory tests) to SARS-CoV-2 (group A; n=300) will be compared to control subjects with no laboratory evidence of in-pregnancy exposure to the virus (group B; n=300). Subjects exposed to other infections during pregnancy will be excluded. The BORN substudy is a long-term follow-up study that will assess the offspring of women who enrolled in the prior substudy. It will describe the effects of SARS-CoV-2 exposure during pregnancy on children's growth, neurodevelopment, and metabolism from birth up to 5 years of age. It includes two comparison groups; group A (exposed; n=300) comprises children born from SARS-CoV-2-exposed pregnancies, and group B (controls; n=300) comprises children born from nonexposed mothers. RESULTS: Recruitment began in July 2020, and as of January 2021, 260 pregnant women who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy and 160 newborns have been included in the study. Data analysis is scheduled to start after all data are collected. CONCLUSIONS: Upon completion of the study, we expect to have comprehensive data that will provide a better understanding of the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection and related inflammatory and immunological processes on pregnancy, puerperium, and infancy. Our findings will inform clinical decisions regarding the care of SARS-CoV-2-exposed mothers and children and support the development of evidence-based public health policies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Register of Clinical Trials RBR65QXS2; https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-65qxs2. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/26477.

Comparison of conventional, amplitude-integrated and geodesic sensor net EEG used in premature neonates: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: The use of methods to evaluate cortical activity in neonates has great importance in modern medicine, as it allows the observation and evaluation of several clinical aspects, which guarantees that the health team has knowledge about possible intervention measures that may be necessary in the treatment of newborns. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to compare the main technologies available for the evaluation of brain functions in neonates, among them: the conventional electroencephalogram (EEG), the amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) and the geodesic sensor net EEG. METHODS: A search was conducted forarticles from national and international periodicals included in the Web of Science, LILACS, SciELO and Medline electronic databases. RESULTS: The search found 39 among 155 articles of interest and the analyses indicated that, in the clinical environment, the use of both conventional EEG and aEEG is highly recommended, as the combination of their functions allows, for example, a greater number of subclinical seizures to be detected. Conversely, the use of a geodesic sensor net EEG could be of great value, as it allows a large amount of data to be analyzed. CONCLUSION: This analysis may be useful in studies and research related to diseases and symptoms, such as seizures, a current challenge for neonatal neuromonitoring, as well as aspects of neurological development and functional studies. However, despite many advances in technology, electroencephalography in preterm neonates remains a challenge worldwide and still requires more robust research and efforts towards the best clinical assistance in this extremely early stage of life.

Comparison of conventional, amplitude-integrated and geodesic sensor net EEG used in premature neonates: a systematic review / Comparação do uso do EEG convencional, EEG de amplitude integrada e EEG geodésico em neonatos prematuros: uma revisão sistemática

ABSTRACT The use of methods to evaluate cortical activity in neonates has great importance in modern medicine, as it allows the observation and evaluation of several clinical aspects, which guarantees that the health team has knowledge about possible intervention measures that may be necessary in the treatment of newborns. Objective: This systematic review aimed to compare the main technologies available for the evaluation of brain functions in neonates, among them: the conventional electroencephalogram (EEG), the amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) and the geodesic sensor net EEG. Methods: A search was conducted forarticles from national and international periodicals included in the Web of Science, LILACS, SciELO and Medline electronic databases. Results: The search found 39 among 155 articles of interest and the analyses indicated that, in the clinical environment, the use of both conventional EEG and aEEG is highly recommended, as the combination of their functions allows, for example, a greater number of subclinical seizures to be detected. Conversely, the use of a geodesic sensor net EEG could be of great value, as it allows a large amount of data to be analyzed. Conclusion: This analysis may be useful in studies and research related to diseases and symptoms, such as seizures, a current challenge for neonatal neuromonitoring, as well as aspects of neurological development and functional studies. However, despite many advances in technology, electroencephalography in preterm neonates remains a challenge worldwide and still requires more robust research and efforts towards the best clinical assistance in this extremely early stage of life.

RESUMO Métodos para avaliar a atividade cortical em neonatos têm grande importância na Medicina moderna, pois permitem a observação e avaliação de diversos aspectos clínicos, garantindo que a equipe de saúde tenha conhecimento sobre possíveis medidas de intervenção que possam ser necessárias no tratamento de recém-nascidos. Objetivo: Esta revisão sistemática tem como objetivo comparar as principais tecnologias disponíveis para a avaliação das funções cerebrais em neonatos: eletroencefalograma convencional (EEG), eletroencefalograma de amplitude integrada (aEEG) e eletroencefalograma da rede do sensor geodésico. Métodos: Os artigos foram selecionados em periódicos nacionais e internacionais, incluídos nas bases de dados eletrônicas Web of Science, LILACS, SciELO e Medline. Resultados: Foram encontrados 39 artigos de interesse entre 155 artigos. As análises indicaram que, em relação ao ambiente clínico, o uso associativo de EEG convencional e aEEG é altamente recomendado, pois permite a combinação de funções, facilitando, por exemplo, que um maior número de convulsões sub-clínicas seja detectado. Por outro lado, o uso do eletroencefalograma da rede do sensor geodésico seria de grande valor, uma vez que permite que uma grande quantidade de dados seja analisada. Conclusão: Essa análise pode ser útil em estudos e pesquisas relacionados a doenças e sintomas, como convulsões, um desafio atual para a neuromonitorização neonatal, bem como aspectos de desenvolvimento neurológico e estudos funcionais. No entanto, apesar de muitos avanços tecnológicos, a eletroencefalografia em recém-nascidos prematuros ainda é um desafio em todo o mundo e requer pesquisas e esforços mais robustos para a melhor assistência clínica neste estágio extremamente precoce da vida.

Agenesia traqueal: revisão de literatura e relato de caso / Tracheal agenesis: literature review and case report

Agenesia traqueal (AT) é uma anomalia congênita muito rara e quase sempre fatal, que tem associação com prematuridade e polidrâmnio. Pode ser classificada, de acordo com Floydeem, em três categorias, sendo esta a mais usada e a qual é universalmente aceita. Relatamos o caso de um recém-nascido (RN) do sexo feminino, pré-termo, que apresentava diagnóstico pré-natal, através de ultrassonografia, de malformação cardíaca, hemivértebra, atresia de esôfago e polidramnia. O mesmo nasceu deprimido e evoluiu para o óbito. No laudo da patologia foram evidenciados anormalidades na anatomia traqueal. Realizamos revisão bibliográfica a respeito da agenesia traqueal, suas complicações e possíveis tratamentos...

Hyponatremia and brain injury: absence of alterations of serum brain natriuretic peptide and vasopressin / Hiponatremia e traumatismo cranioencefálico: ausência de alteração sanguínea do peptídeo natriurético cerebral e hormônio antidiurético

OBJECTIVE: To study any possible relation between hyponatremia following brain injury and the presence of cerebral salt-wasting syndrome (CSWS) or the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), and if vasopressin, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and aldosterone have a role in its mechanism. METHOD: Patients with brain injury admitted to the intensive care unit were included and had their BNP, aldosterone and vasopressin levels dosed on day 7. RESULTS: Twenty six adult patients were included in the study. Nine (34.6 percent) had hyponatremia and presented with a negative water balance and higher values of urinary sodium, serum potassium and diuresis than patients with normonatremia. The serum levels of BNP, aldosterone, and vasopressin were normal and no relation was observed between plasma sodium and BNP, aldosterone or vasopressin. CONCLUSION: The most likely cause of hyponatremia was CSWS and there was no correlation between BNP, aldosterone and vasopressin with serum sodium level.

OBJETIVO: Estudar a possível relação entre a hiponatremia seguindo traumatismo cranioencefálico e a presença da síndrome cerebral perdedora de sal (SCPS) ou a síndrome da secreção inapropriada do hormônio antidiurético (SSIHAD), e se a vasopressina, peptídeo natriurético cerebral (BNP) e aldosterona têm um papel nesse mecanismo. MÉTODO: Foram incluídos pacientes com traumatismo cranioencefálico admitidos na unidade de terapia intensiva e foram dosados no sétimo dia seguindo o trauma, BNP, aldosterona e vasopressina. RESULTADOS: Vinte e seis pacientes foram incluídos no estudo. Nove (34,6 por cento) tiveram hiponatremia e apresentaram um balanço hídrico mais negativo e altos valores de sódio urinário, potássio sérico e diurese quando comparados com o grupo que apresentou normonatremia. Os níveis séricos de BNP, aldosterona e vasopressina foram normais e não foi observada relação entre o sódio sérico e BNP, aldosterona e vasopressina. CONCLUSÃO: A causa mais provável da hiponatremia foi a SCPS e não houve correlação entre BNP, aldosterona e vasopressina com o nível sérico de sódio.

Hyponatremia and brain injury: absence of alterations of serum brain natriuretic peptide and vasopressin.

OBJECTIVE: To study any possible relation between hyponatremia following brain injury and the presence of cerebral salt-wasting syndrome (CSWS) or the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), and if vasopressin, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and aldosterone have a role in its mechanism. METHOD: Patients with brain injury admitted to the intensive care unit were included and had their BNP, aldosterone and vasopressin levels dosed on day 7. RESULTS: Twenty six adult patients were included in the study. Nine (34.6%) had hyponatremia and presented with a negative water balance and higher values of urinary sodium, serum potassium and diuresis than patients with normonatremia. The serum levels of BNP, aldosterone, and vasopressin were normal and no relation was observed between plasma sodium and BNP, aldosterone or vasopressin. CONCLUSION: The most likely cause of hyponatremia was CSWS and there was no correlation between BNP, aldosterone and vasopressin with serum sodium level.

Hipertensäo pulmonar persistente do recém-nascido - avaliaçäo de dez casos / Persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn - a review of ten cases

A hipertensäo pulmonar persistente do recém-nascido é uma síndrome caracterizada por severa hipoxemia desproporcional à extensäo da doença parenquimatosa pulmonar. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a evoluçäo, fatores etiológicos, achados ecocardiográficos, índices de oxigenaçäo e letalidade de dez crianças nascidas entre janeiro de 1987 a setembro de 1990, portadoras de hipertensäo pulmonar persistente do recém-nascido. O diagnóstico foi feito com base em achados clínicos e ecocardiográficos. Em um caso a hipertensäo pulmonar foi achado de necrópsia. Três recém-nascidos eram prematuros, e sete eram de termo. O peso de nascimento variou entre 2830g e 3900g. Seis recém-nascidos nasceram vigorosos, e três nasceram deprimidos. Três recém-nascidos evoluíram para o óbito. Todos os recém-nascidos que faleceram apresentaram um gradiente alvéolo arterial de oxigênio acima de 454 mmHg e relaçäo PaO2/PAO2 abaixo de 0,15. Entre os achados ecocardiográficos, a inversäo do shunt pelo forame oval foi observada em cinco pacientes, e a persistência do canal arterial, em oito. Devido à alta letalidade e à gravidade, a hipertensäo pulmonar persistente do recém-nascido deve ser procurada em todo neonato com insuficiência respiratória desproporcional ao quadro radiológico pulmonar