Physical and mental health impacts during COVID-19 quarantine in adolescents with preexisting chronic immunocompromised conditions

Abstract Objective: To evaluate physical and mental health indicators in adolescents with preexisting chronic immunocompromised conditions during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quarantine. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 355 adolescents with chronic conditions and 111 healthy adolescents. An online self-rated survey was used to investigate socio-demographic features, healthcare routine, and the quarantine impact on physical and mental health. The validated self-reported version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was also applied. Results: The median of age [14 (10-18) vs. 15 (10-18) years, p = 0.733] and frequencies of female (61% vs. 60%, p = 0.970) were similar between adolescents with preexisting chronic conditions and healthy adolescents during quarantine of COVID-19 pandemic. The frequencies of abnormal total difficulties score of SDQ were similar in patients and controls (30% vs. 31%, p = 0.775). Logistic regression analysis showed that being female (OR = 1.965; 95% CI = 1.091-3.541, p = 0.024), fear of underlying disease activity/complication (OR = 1.009; 95%CI = 1.001-1.018, p = 0.030) were associated with severe psychosocial dysfunction in adolescents with chronic conditions, whereas school homework (OR = 0.449; 95% CI = 0.206-0.981, p = 0.045) and physical activity (OR = 0.990; 95% CI = 0.981-0.999, p = 0.030) were protective factors. Further analysis of patients with chronic immunocompromised conditions and previous diagnosis of mental disorders (9%) compared with patients without diagnosis showed higher median of total difficulties score (p = 0.001), emotional (p = 0.005), conduct (p = 0.007), peer problems (p = 0.001) and hyperactivity (p = 0.034) in the former group. Conclusion: Adolescents with preexisting chronic immunocompromised conditions during COVID-19 quarantine were not at higher risk of adverse health indicators. Being female, fear of underlying disease activity/complication, and household members working outside of the home were relevant issues for adolescents with preexisting chronic conditions. This study reinforces the need to establish mental health strategies for teens with chronic conditions, particularly during the pandemic.

Physical and mental health impacts during COVID-19 quarantine in adolescents with preexisting chronic immunocompromised conditions.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate physical and mental health indicators in adolescents with preexisting chronic immunocompromised conditions during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quarantine. METHODS: A cross-sectional study included 355 adolescents with chronic conditions and 111 healthy adolescents. An online self-rated survey was used to investigate socio-demographic features, healthcare routine, and the quarantine impact on physical and mental health. The validated self-reported version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was also applied. RESULTS: The median of age [14 (10-18) vs. 15 (10-18) years, p = 0.733] and frequencies of female (61% vs. 60%, p = 0.970) were similar between adolescents with preexisting chronic conditions and healthy adolescents during quarantine of COVID-19 pandemic. The frequencies of abnormal total difficulties score of SDQ were similar in patients and controls (30% vs. 31%, p = 0.775). Logistic regression analysis showed that being female (OR = 1.965; 95% CI = 1.091-3.541, p = 0.024), fear of underlying disease activity/complication (OR = 1.009; 95%CI = 1.001-1.018, p = 0.030) were associated with severe psychosocial dysfunction in adolescents with chronic conditions, whereas school homework (OR = 0.449; 95% CI = 0.206-0.981, p = 0.045) and physical activity (OR = 0.990; 95% CI = 0.981-0.999, p = 0.030) were protective factors. Further analysis of patients with chronic immunocompromised conditions and previous diagnosis of mental disorders (9%) compared with patients without diagnosis showed higher median of total difficulties score (p = 0.001), emotional (p = 0.005), conduct (p = 0.007), peer problems (p = 0.001) and hyperactivity (p = 0.034) in the former group. CONCLUSION: Adolescents with preexisting chronic immunocompromised conditions during COVID-19 quarantine were not at higher risk of adverse health indicators. Being female, fear of underlying disease activity/complication, and household members working outside of the home were relevant issues for adolescents with preexisting chronic conditions. This study reinforces the need to establish mental health strategies for teens with chronic conditions, particularly during the pandemic.

Insufflation of Carbon Dioxide versus Air During Colonoscopy Among Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Carbon dioxide is increasingly used in insufflation during colonoscopy in adult patients; however, air insufflation remains the primary practice among pediatric gastroenterologists. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate insufflation using CO2 versus air in colonoscopies in pediatric patients. METHODS: Individualized search strategies were performed using MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and LILACS databases following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and Cochrane working methodology. Randomized control trials (RCTs) were selected for the present meta-analysis. Pooled proportions were calculated for outcomes including procedure time and abdominal pain immediately and 24 hours post-procedure. RESULTS: The initial search yielded 644 records, of which five RCTs with a total of 358 patients (CO2: n=178 versus air: n=180) were included in the final analysis. The procedure time was not different between the CO2 and air insufflation groups (mean difference, 10.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.55 to 24.22; p=0.11). Abdominal pain immediately post-procedure was significantly lower in the CO2 group (risk difference [RD], -0.15; 95% CI; -0.26 to -0.03; p=0.01) while abdominal pain at 24 hours post-procedure was similar (RD, -0.05; 95% CI; -0.11 to 0.01; p=0.11). CONCLUSION: Based on this systematic review and meta-analysis of RCT data, CO2 insufflation reduced abdominal pain immediately following the procedure, while pain was similar at 24 hours post-procedure. These results suggest that CO2 is a preferred insufflation technique when performing colonoscopy in pediatric patients.

Differences in children and adolescents with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a cohort study in a Brazilian tertiary referral hospital

OBJECTIVES: To compare demographic/clinical/laboratory/treatments and outcomes among children and adolescents with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that included patients diagnosed with pediatric COVID-19 (aged <18 years) between April 11, 2020 and April 22, 2021. During this period, 102/5,951 (1.7%) of all admissions occurred in neonates, children, and adolescents. Furthermore, 3,962 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection samples were processed in patients aged <18 years, and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 occurred in 155 (4%) inpatients and outpatients. Six/155 pediatric patients were excluded from the study. Therefore, the final group included 149 children and adolescents (n=97 inpatients and 52 outpatients) with positive SARS-CoV-2 results. RESULTS: The frequencies of sore throat, anosmia, dysgeusia, headache, myalgia, nausea, lymphopenia, pre-existing chronic conditions, immunosuppressive conditions, and autoimmune diseases were significantly reduced in children and adolescents (p<0.05). Likewise, the frequencies of enoxaparin use (p=0.037), current immunosuppressant use (p=0.008), vasoactive agents (p=0.045), arterial hypotension (p<0.001), and shock (p=0.024) were significantly lower in children than in adolescents. Logistic regression analysis showed that adolescents with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 had increased odds ratios (ORs) for sore throat (OR 13.054; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.750-61.977; p=0.001), nausea (OR 8.875; 95% CI 1.660-47.446; p=0.011), and lymphopenia (OR 3.575; 95% CI 1.355-9.430; p=0.010), but also had less hospitalizations (OR 0.355; 95% CI 0.138-0.916; p=0.032). The additional logistic regression analysis on patients with preexisting chronic conditions (n=108) showed that death as an outcome was significantly associated with pediatric severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) (OR 22.300; 95% CI 2.341-212.421; p=0.007) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) (OR 11.261; 95% CI 1.189-106. 581; p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Half of the laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases occurred in adolescents. Individuals belonging to this age group had an acute systemic involvement of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Pediatric SARS and MIS-C were the most important factors associated with the mortality rate in pediatric chronic conditions with COVID-19.

COVID-19 and coinfection with Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile in an infant with gastrointestinal manifestation.

We report the clinical case of an infant with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection with gastrointestinal signs and symptoms, predominantly vomiting. The patient also had colic, poor feeding, mild diarrhea and mild rhinorrhea without fever. The child had evidence of altered coagulation, increased interleukin 10, moderate dehydration and she was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. Simultaneously, the patient was diagnosed as Clostridioides difficile infection, which possibly may have facilitated the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in feces, for more than 27 days, even after the nasopharyngeal test turned negative. This coinfection might exacerbate the gastrointestinal signs and symptoms and increased the possibility of fecal-oral transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and Clostridioides . The patient was breastfed and received complementary infant formula, hydrated with intravenous fluid, and was discharged without complications, 4 days after admission.

Hepatitis C in Children and Adolescents of a Brazilian Tertiary Center: Identifying Patients Eligible for Direct-Acting Antivirals.

We evaluated 113 pediatric patients with chronic hepatitis C from 2009 to 2019 at a Brazilian tertiary center. Seventy patients received pegylated-interferon treatment. The sustained virologic response was 61.4%, and 92.8% reported side effects. Currently, we are following 39 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 24 of whom are eligible for treatment with direct-acting antivirals according to Brazilian recommendations.

COVID-19 and coinfection with Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile in an infant with gastrointestinal manifestation / COVID-19 e coinfecção por Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile em lactente com manifestações gastrintestinais

ABSTRACT We report the clinical case of an infant with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection with gastrointestinal signs and symptoms, predominantly vomiting. The patient also had colic, poor feeding, mild diarrhea and mild rhinorrhea without fever. The child had evidence of altered coagulation, increased interleukin 10, moderate dehydration and she was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. Simultaneously, the patient was diagnosed as Clostridioides difficile infection, which possibly may have facilitated the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in feces, for more than 27 days, even after the nasopharyngeal test turned negative. This coinfection might exacerbate the gastrointestinal signs and symptoms and increased the possibility of fecal-oral transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and Clostridioides . The patient was breastfed and received complementary infant formula, hydrated with intravenous fluid, and was discharged without complications, 4 days after admission.

RESUMO Relatamos o caso clínico de uma lactente com infecção por coronavírus da síndrome respiratória aguda grave 2 (SARS-CoV-2) com sinais e sintomas gastrintestinais - predominantemente vômitos. A paciente apresentou, adicionalmente, cólica, dificuldade para mamar, evacuações amolecidas e rinorreia leve, sem febre. Houve evidências de alterações da coagulação, aumento de interleucina 10 e desidratação moderada, que justificaram internação na unidade de terapia intensiva. Simultaneamente, a paciente foi diagnosticada com infecção por Clostridioides difficile , que pode ter facilitado a persistência do SARS-CoV-2 nas fezes por mais de 27 dias, mesmo após negativação do teste nasofaríngeo. Essa coinfecção pode ter exacerbado os sinais e sintomas gastrintestinais e aumentado a possibilidade da transmissão do SARS-CoV-2 e Clostridioides . A paciente foi mantida em aleitamento materno e complemento com fórmula infantil, recebeu hidratação intravenosa e teve alta hospitalar, sem complicações, após 4 dias de internação.

The tooth as a monitor of cholestatic liver disease in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Measure, noninvasively, the deposition of bilirubin in the tooth by using DIAGNOdent and correlate it to liver dysfunction. STUDY DESIGN: After confirming the capacity of DIAGNOdent to measure varying bile concentrations in plaster blocks, a cholestatic liver disease model was studied to detect increasing bilirubin impregnation in the teeth of rats. Wistar-EPM rats (n = 50) were divided into three groups: (1) BDL: rats submitted to bile duct ligation (BDL); (2) Naïve: rats without procedure; and (3) Sham: rats submitted to laparotomy without BDL (n = 10/period/group). The rats' teeth were monitored with the use of DIAGNOdent before the procedure and at days 10 and 50 following surgery. Serum bilirubin was also monitored. RESULTS: Tests in vitro showed that DIAGNOdent detected bile in plaster blocks according to its concentration. BDL promoted progressive liver dysfunction, with death occurring approximately 50 days later. DIAGNOdent values obtained on teeth showed correlation with the progression of serum hyperbilirubinemia. CONCLUSIONS: The tooth was found to be a good tissue for noninvasively monitoring the progression of bilirubinemia in cholestatic liver disease in rats by using DIAGNOdent.

Meningoencephalitis associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

We report a case of a child with meningoencephalitis of atypical etiology. The patient developed the disease after an infection in the upper airways with unfavorable evolution. The clinical recovery was only possible after the administration of adequate antibiotic therapy for the etiological agent. This case report describes a child with meningoencephalitis of atypical etiology. The patient developed the disease after an infection in the superior airways with negative evolution. The clinical recovery was possible only after the introduction of adequate antibiotic therapy for the etiological agent.

Meningoencephalitis associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Meningoencefalite associada ao Mycoplasma pneumoniae

We report a case of a child with meningoencephalitis of atypical etiology. The patient developed the disease after an infection in the upper airways with unfavorable evolution. The clinical recovery was only possible after the administration of adequate antibiotic therapy for the etiological agent. This case report describes a child with meningoencephalitis of atypical etiology. The patient developed the disease after an infection in the superior airways with negative evolution. The clinical recovery was possible only after the introduction of adequate antibiotic therapy for the etiological agent.

Este relato de caso descreve uma criança com menignoencefalite de etiologia atípica. A paciente desenvolveu a doença após infecção de vias aéreas superiores, com evolução desfavorável. Houve recuperação clínica somente após introdução de antibioticoterapia adequada para o agente etiológico.