Clinicolaboratory Profile and Treatment Outcome Within Ninety Days After Discharge During Second Wave of Pediatric COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The second wave of COVID-19 pandemic hit all age groups with different presentations and outcomes. This study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics, investigational findings, hospital outcomes along with a ninety days telephonic follow-up of COVID-19 infection in children. METHODS: A longitudinal descriptive study among COVID-19 RT-PCR positive hospital-admitted children was conducted during the second wave of the pandemic from 15 Mar 2021 to 15 Oct 2021 at Kanti Children's Hospital. Demographics, clinical characteristics, oxygen saturation, comorbidities, need of oxygen, need of ventilator, laboratory investigations, admission to intensive care unit, duration of hospital stay and patient's outcome (improved and discharged or death) were recorded. A follow up at ninety days from discharge was also done via telephonic call to inquire for any illness and hospital admission. RESULTS: Among the 156 admitted children, males and females were 54.5% and 45.5% with a median age of 15 months and Inter quartile range (IQR) of 63. Thirty-six (23.1%) were underweight and 31 (19.9%) had comorbidities. The most common presenting symptoms were fever 115 (73.7%), cough 50 (32.1%) and vomiting 38 (24.4%). The median (IQR) length of hospital stay was 15 (range of 11-20) days. Oxygen use was seen among 35 (22.4%) cases and 36 (23.1%) cases were admitted to the ICU. Ventilator was required for 7 (4.5%) cases. The number of deaths was 9 (5.8%) during hospital stay. After discharge from the hospital during the ninety days follow-up, 117 children had no health problems while 42 reported having some health problems and 5 died after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: In the second wave of the pandemic, only symptomatic children were admitted. Respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms were common among the admitted cases. The majority of admitted cases had a good outcome and had no other health problems attributable to COVID-19 till ninety days of follow-up.

Incidence, risk factors and consequences of preterm birth - findings from a multi-centric observational study for 14 months in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Preterm birth is a worldwide epidemic and a leading cause of neonatal mortality. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors and consequences of preterm birth in Nepal. METHODS: This was an observational study conducted in 12 public hospitals of Nepal. All the babies born during the study period were included in the study. Babies born < 37 weeks of gestation were classified as preterm births. For the association and outcomes for preterm birth, univariate followed by multiple regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: The incidence of preterm was found to be 93 per 1000 live births. Mothers aged less than 20 years (aOR 1.26;1.15-1.39) had a high risk for preterm birth. Similarly, education of the mother was a significant predictor for preterm birth: illiterate mothers (aOR 1.41; 1.22-1.64), literate mothers (aOR 1.21; 1.08-1.35) and mothers having basic level of education (aOR 1.17; 1.07-1.27). Socio-demographic factors such as smoking (aOR 1.13; 1.01-1.26), use of polluted fuel (aOR 1.26; 1.17-1.35) and sex of baby (aOR 1.18; 1.11-1.26); obstetric factors such as nulliparity (aOR 1.33; 1.20-1.48), multiple delivery (aOR 6.63; 5.16-8.52), severe anemia during pregnancy (aOR 3.27; 2.21-4.84), antenatal visit during second trimester (aOR 1.13; 1.05-1.22) and third trimester (aOR 1.24; 1.12-1.38), < 4 antenatal visits during pregnancy (aOR 1.49; 1.38-1.61) were found to be significant risk factors of preterm birth. Preterm has a risk for pre-discharge mortality (10.60; 9.28-12.10). CONCLUSION: In this study, we found high incidence of preterm birth. Various socio-demographic, obstetric and neonatal risk factors were associated with preterm birth. Risk factor modifications and timely interventions will help in the reduction of preterm births and associated mortalities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN30829654.