Hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children - epidemiological overview of cases reported in Europe, 1 January to 16 June 2022.

Following the report of an excess in paediatric cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology by the United Kingdom (UK) on 5 April 2022, 427 cases were reported from 20 countries in the World Health Organization European Region to the European Surveillance System TESSy from 1 January 2022 to 16 June 2022. Here, we analysed demographic, epidemiological, clinical and microbiological data available in TESSy. Of the reported cases, 77.3% were 5 years or younger and 53.5% had a positive test for adenovirus, 10.4% had a positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 and 10.3% were coinfected with both pathogens. Cases with adenovirus infections were significantly more likely to be admitted to intensive care or high-dependency units (OR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.18-3.74) and transplanted (OR = 3.36; 95% CI: 1.19-9.55) than cases with a negative test result for adenovirus, but this was no longer observed when looking at this association separately between the UK and other countries. Aetiological studies are needed to ascertain if adenovirus plays a role in this possible emergence of hepatitis cases in children and, if confirmed, the mechanisms that could be involved.

Spatial and temporal trends of Mediterranean spotted fever in Spain, 2005-2015.

BACKGROUND: Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is a zoonotic disease caused by Rickettsia conorii and transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. The aim of this study is to understand the epidemiology and trends regarding the disease in Spain, based on notifications to the Spanish National Epidemiology Surveillance Network (RENAVE) and the National Hospital Discharge Database (CMBD) between 2005 and 2015. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective cross-sectional study of the cases and the outbreaks reported to the RENAVE and of those found in the CMBD between January 1st, 2005 and December 31st, 2015. We studied the characteristics of the cases and analyzed their spatio-temporal distribution. RESULTS: 1603 cases notified to the RENAVE and 1789 cases registered in the CMBD were analyzed. The most affected group were men between 45 and 64. There were 8 MSF outbreaks during the study period. RENAVE registered lower rates until 2012, when it was decided that MSF in Spain would become a notifiable disease. Across the temporal series we saw that there was seasonality with an increase in cases in summer, and an overall upward trend according to the RENAVE data and descending according to the CMBD. The geographic distribution was heterogeneous throughout the territory, with maximum rates in La Rioja at 1.87 cases and 2.01 cases per 100,000 inhabitants according to the RENAVE and the CMBD, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It is of great importance to continue monitoring the disease since it appears to be endemic throughout Spain. There is a need for a common strategy on monitoring and reporting, which would facilitate a more accurate picture on the MSF epidemiological scenario. Entomological information will be of added value.

Maternal anaemia after delivery: prevalence and risk factors.

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of postpartum anaemia and determine the clinical risk factors for this condition to provide a viable alternative to postpartum haemoglobin measurement. In total, 1415 patients at Hospital Universitario del Tajo, Madrid, who underwent postpartum haemoglobin testing were included, and risk factors for having an Hb level <10 g/dl were determined. We found that 29% of the mothers were anaemic, and birth canal lacerations, caesarean delivery, episiotomy and South American origin were identified as the main risk factors for this condition. When we examined the performance of each risk factor alone in the prediction of postpartum anaemia, none of them achieved a sensitivity of 30%. Selective screening of women who had any of these five risk factors resulted in 23% of cases remaining unidentified. Despite the high incidence and disease burden of this condition, the management of puerperal anaemia is not standardised, and this condition is not easy to predict. Universal screening should be considered in high-prevalence settings. Impact statement The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes the postnatal period as the most critical and yet most neglected phase in the lives of mothers and infants. It is a common knowledge that a woman's adjustment to life with her new infant is very difficult. This period, known as the puerperium, often involves poor sleep quality, pain and fatigue, if not other major complications. In this context, we must face the challenge of increasing breastfeeding rates, which is why health care providers should be aware of the medical and psychological needs of the new mother. This work reports that postpartum anaemia, a potentially preventable or treatable condition that can make it more difficult to resume everyday activities, is highly prevalent. It remains to be seen whether ensuring the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of anaemia after delivery will result in improvements in the physical and psychological well-being of obstetric patients.

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