Frequency of respiratory virus-associated infection among children and adolescents from a tertiary-care hospital in Mexico City.

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children. The causative pathogens show geographic and seasonal variations. We retrospectively evaluated the frequency and seasonality of respiratory pathogens in children and adolescents (age: 0-19 years) with ARIs treated between January 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, at a single center in Mexico. Out of 2400 patients, 1,603 were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection and 797 were diagnosed with other common respiratory pathogens (CRPs). Of the 797 patients, 632 were infected with one CRP and 165 with > 2 CRPs. Deaths occurred only in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. Rhinovirus/Enterovirus, respiratory syncytial virus B, and parainfluenza virus 3 were the most prevalent in cases with single and multiple infections. CRP showed a high frequency between autumn and winter of 2021, with higher incidence of hospitalization compared to COVID-19. The main comorbidities were immunosuppression, cardiovascular disease (CD), and asthma. The frequency of CRPs showed a downward trend throughout the first half of 2021. CRPs increased in single- and co-infection cases between the fourth and fifth waves of COVID-19, probably due to decreased nonpharmaceutical interventions and changes in diagnostic tests. Age, cyanosis (symptom), and immunosuppression (comorbidity) were found to differentiate between SARS-CoV-2 infection and CRP infection.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of a hand hygiene monitoring system in a tertiary pediatric hospital in Mexico.

Background: An automated hand-hygiene monitoring system (AHHMS) was implemented in October 2019 at the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez (HIMFG), a tertiary pediatric referral hospital, in four of the hospital wards with the highest rates of Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs). The clinical and economic impact of this system had not yet been assessed prior to this study. This study aimed to evaluate if the AHHMS is a cost-effective alternative in reducing HAIs in the HIMFG. Methodology: A full cost-effectiveness economic assessment was carried out for the hospital. The alternatives assessed were AHHMS implementation vis-a-vis AHHMS non-implementation (historical tendency). The outcomes of interest were infection rate per 1,000 patient-days and cost savings as a result of prevented infections. Infection rate data per 1,000 patient-days (PD) were obtained from the hospital's Department of Epidemiology with respect to the AHHMS. As regards historical tendency, an infection-rate model was designed for the most recent 6-year period. Infection costs were obtained from a review of available literature on the subject, and the cost of the implemented AHHMS was provided by the hospital. The assessment period was 6 months. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was estimated. Costs are reported in US Dollars (2021). Univariate sensitivity and threshold analysis for different parameters was conducted. Results: The total estimated cost of the AHHMS alternative represented potential savings of $308,927-$546,795 US Dollars compared to non-implementation of the system (US$464,102 v. US$773,029-$1,010,898) for the period. AHHMS effectiveness was reflected in a diminished number of infections, 46-79 (-43.4-56.7%) compared to non-implementation (60 v. 106-139 infections). Conclusion: The AHHMS was found to be a cost-saving alternative for the HIMFG given its cost-effectiveness and lower cost vis-a-vis the alternate option. Accordingly, the recommendation was made of extending its use to other areas in the hospital.

Allowing access to parents/caregivers into COVID-19 hospitalization areas does not increase infections among health personnel in a pediatric hospital.

Background: At the beginning of the current COVID-19 pandemic, it became critical to isolate all infected patients, regardless of their age. Isolating children has a negative effect on both, them and their parents/caregivers. Nevertheless isolation was mandatory because of the potential risk that visitation might have on COVID-19 dissemination mostly among health personnel. Methods: From the starting of the COVID-19 pandemic in our pediatric hospital visits were forbidden. This 2 months period (April-May) was called P1. In June parents were allowed to visit (P2), under a visiting protocol previously published. Hospital workers were monitored for the presence of COVID-19 symptoms and tested for the infection when clinically justified. The positivity proportion and the relative risk (RR) of COVID-19 among the health personnel between periods were calculated. The caregivers were also followed up by phone calls. Results: Since April 2020 to November 2020, 2,884 health personnel were studied for 234 days, (318,146 workers days). Although the COVID-19/1,000 health personnel days rate decreased from one period to another (1.43 vs 1.23), no statistically significant differences were found. During P1, 16 patients with COVID-19 were treated. During the follow up none of the family members were infected/symptomatic in P1, while in P2, 6/129 (4.65%) were symptomatic or had a positive test. All of them initiated between 2 and 4 days after the patient's admission. As they also had some other infected family members it was not possible to ensure the source of infection. There were no statistically significant differences in the RR of COVID-19 in health personnel, (RR 1, 95% CI 0.69-1.06, p = 0.162). Conclusions: When safely implemented, allowing parents/caregivers to spend time with their hospitalized COVID-19 children does not increase the contagion risk for hospital workers or among themselves.

Tracing COVID-19 Source of Infection Among Health Personnel in a Pediatric Hospital.

Health personnel (HP) have been universally recognized as especially susceptible to COVID-19. In Mexico, our home country, HP has one of the highest death rates from the disease. From the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, an office for initial attention for HP and a call center were established at a COVID-19 national reference pediatric hospital, aimed at early detection of COVID-19 cases and stopping local transmission. The detection and call center implementation and operation, and tracing methodology are described here. A total of 1,042 HP were evaluated, with 221 positive cases identified (7.7% of all HP currently working and 26% of the HP tested). Community contagion was most prevalent (46%), followed by other HP (27%), household (14%), and hospitalized patients (13%). Clusters and contact network analysis are discussed. This is one of the first reports that address the details of the implementation process of contact tracing in a pediatric hospital from the perspective of a hybrid hospital with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 areas.

Risk conditions in healthcare workers of a pediatric COVID center in Mexico City / Condiciones de riesgo en el personal de salud de un centro COVID pediátrico de la Ciudad de México

Abstract Background: The new evere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is characterized by its high capacity to transmit. Health-care personnel is highly susceptible to becoming infected. This study aimed to determine the characteristics and known risk factors for contagion and severe outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 disease in health-care personnel of a pediatric coronavirus disease (COVID) center in Mexico City. Methods: In the last week of March 2020 (at the beginning of phase 2 of the Ministry of Health's national campaign in Mexico), a study was conducted on healthcare workers of a pediatric COVID hospital in Mexico City. Using a virtual interview, we evaluated comorbidities, mobility, areas and functions where they carry out the activities, protection measures, contact history, and vaccination. According to their activities, healthcare workers were classified into the following areas: medical, nursing, other health-care personnel (researchers, nutritionists, rehabilitation, imaging, and laboratory), administrative, and other services. We compared the variables between the groups of healthcare workers with the X2 test. Results: We included 812 participants. The mean age was 41 ± 11 years, and 33% were overweight or obese, 18% were over 60 years old, and 19% had high blood pressure. Medical and nursing personnel presented a higher proportion in the use of standard protection measures. Conclusions: Among healthcare workers, there are risk conditions for the development of complications in case of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Most medical and nursing personnel use standard protective measures.

Resumen Introducción: La pandemia por el nuevo coronavirus 2 del síndrome respiratorio agudo grave (SARS-CoV-2) se caracteriza por su alta capacidad de transmitirse, por lo que el personal de salud es muy susceptible de contagiarse. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las características y los factores de riesgo conocidos para el contagio y los desenlaces graves de la enfermedad por SARS-CoV-2 en personal de salud de un centro COVID pediátrico de la Ciudad de México. Método: La última semana de marzo de 2020 (al inicio de la fase 2 de la campaña nacional por coronavirus en México) se realizó un estudio en los trabajadores de la salud de un hospital COVID pediátrico de la Ciudad de México. Mediante una entrevista virtual se evaluaron comorbilidad, movilidad, área y funciones donde se desempeñan las actividades laborales, medidas de protección, antecedentes de contactos y vacunación. Los participantes fueron clasificados en las siguientes áreas: personal médico, enfermería, otro personal de salud (investigadores, nutriólogos, rehabilitación, imagenología, laboratorio), administrativo y otros servicios. Se realizaron comparaciones de las variables con prueba de X2 entre los grupos de trabajadores de la salud Resultados: Se incluyeron 812 participantes. El 33% presentó sobrepeso u obesidad, el 18% eran mayores de 60 años y el 19% tenía hipertensión arterial. El personal médico y de enfermería mostró una mayor proporción de uso de medidas de protección estándar. Conclusiones: Existen condiciones de riesgo para el desarrollo de complicaciones en los trabajadores de la salud en caso de contagio con SARS-CoV-2. La mayoría del personal médico y de enfermería utiliza las medidas de protección estándar.

Risk conditions in healthcare workers of a pediatric coronavirus disease center in Mexico City.

BACKGROUND: The new evere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is characterized by its high capacity to transmit. Health-care personnel is highly susceptible to becoming infected. This study aimed to determine the characteristics and known risk factors for contagion and severe outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 disease in health-care personnel of a pediatric coronavirus disease (COVID) center in Mexico City. METHODS: In the last week of March 2020 (at the beginning of phase 2 of the Ministry of Health's national campaign in Mexico), a study was conducted on healthcare workers of a pediatric COVID hospital in Mexico City. Using a virtual interview, we evaluated comorbidities, mobility, areas and functions where they carry out the activities, protection measures, contact history, and vaccination. According to their activities, healthcare workers were classified into the following areas: medical, nursing, other health-care personnel (researchers, nutritionists, rehabilitation, imaging, and laboratory), administrative, and other services. We compared the variables between the groups of healthcare workers with the X2 test. RESULTS: We included 812 participants. The mean age was 41 ± 11 years, and 33% were overweight or obese, 18% were over 60 years old, and 19% had high blood pressure. Medical and nursing personnel presented a higher proportion in the use of standard protection measures. CONCLUSIONS: Among healthcare workers, there are risk conditions for the development of complications in case of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Most medical and nursing personnel use standard protective measures.

Confiabilidad de la detección de problemas de desarrollo mediante el semáforo de la prueba de Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil: ¿es diferente un resultado amarillo de uno rojo? / Reliability for detection of developmental problems using the semaphore from the Child Development Evaluation test: Is a yellow result different from a red result?

Introducción: La prueba Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil (EDI) es un instrumento de tamizaje de problemas en el desarrollo diseñado y validado en México. La calificación obtenida se expresa como semáforo. Se consideran positivos tanto el resultado amarillo como el rojo, aunque se plantea una intervención diferente para cada uno. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la capacidad de la prueba EDI para discriminar entre los niños identificados con semáforo amarillo y los identificados con rojo al compararse con el Inventario de Desarrollo de Battelle 2.ª edición (IDB-2) en cuanto al cociente de desarrollo del dominio (CDD). Métodos: El análisis se llevó a cabo utilizando la información obtenida para el estudio de la validación. Se excluyeron los pacientes con resultado normal (verde) en EDI. Se utilizaron 2 puntos de CDD (IDB-2) por dominio: < 90 para incluir normal-bajo y < 80 para diagnóstico de retraso. Se analizó el resultado con base en la correlación del resultado del semáforo de EDI (amarillo o rojo) y el IDB-2, total y por subgrupos de edad. Resultados: Al considerar un CDD < 90 en amarillo, el 86.8% tuvo al menos un dominio afectado, y el 50%, 3 o más dominios, en comparación con el 93.8% y el 78.8% para el resultado en rojo, respectivamente. Hubo diferencias en todos los dominios entre amarillos y rojos (p < 0.001) para el porcentaje de niños con un CDD < 80: cognitivo (36.1 vs. 61.9%); comunicación (27.8 vs. 50.4%); motor (18.1 vs. 39.9%); personal-social (20.1 vs. 28.9%); y adaptativo (6.9 vs. 20.4%). Conclusiones: Los resultados de semáforo (amarillo o rojo) permiten identificar diferente magnitud de los problemas en el desarrollo y apoyan intervenciones diferenciadas.

Background: The Child Development Evaluation (CDE) is a screening tool designed and validated in Mexico for detecting developmental problems. The result is expressed through a semaphore. In the CDE test, both yellow and red results are considered positive, although a different intervention is proposed for each. The aim of this work was to evaluate the reliability of the CDE test to discriminate between children with yellow/red result based on the developmental domain quotient (DDQ) obtained through the Battelle Development Inventory, 2nd edition (in Spanish) (BDI-2). Methods: The information was obtained for the study from the validation. Children with a normal (green) result in the CDE were excluded. Two different cut-off points of the DDQ were used (BDI-2): < 90 to include low average, and developmental delay was considered with a cut-off < 80 per domain. Results were analyzed based on the correlation of the CDE test and each domain from the BDI-2 and by subgroups of age. Results: With a cut-off DDQ <90, 86.8% of tests with yellow result (CDE) indicated at least one domain affected and 50% 3 or more compared with 93.8% and 78.8% for red result, respectively. There were differences in every domain (P < 0.001) for the percent of children with DDQ < 80 between yellow and red result (CDE): cognitive 36.1% vs. 61.9%; communication: 27.8% vs. 50.4%, motor: 18.1% vs. 39.9%; personal-social: 20.1% vs. 28.9%; and adaptive: 6.9% vs. 20.4%. Conclusions: The semaphore result yellow/red allows identifying different magnitudes of delay in developmental domains or subdomains, supporting the recommendation of different interventions for each one.

Child Development Evaluation Test analysis by field improves detection of developmental problems in children

Background: The Child Development Evaluation (CDE) Test is a screening instrument for developmental problems. In the validation study, a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 61% were reported, considering a cut-off value for both a total development quotient (TDQ) of 90. Given that the TDQ is obtained by calculation of the five evaluated fields in the Battelle Development Inventory, 2nd edition (BDI-2), it may occur that a child is classified as a false positive (TDQ ≥90) and may have a developmental delay in at least one of the fields (true positive). The objective of this work was to evaluate if the properties of the CDE Test are different when analyzing each field for the probability of a developmental delay. Methods: The information obtained for the study from the validation (Rizzoli-Córdoba, 2013) was analyzed. In the CDE Test, a true positive was considered when the result was yellow or red. A developmental delay was considered per domain with a scale score <80 in the BDI-2. The results were analyzed based on the correlation of what was evaluated between the CDE Test and the BDI-2. Results: For 438 children of 1- to 60-months of age, sensitivity (S) and specificity (Sp) per field were as follows: a) Motor: S=84.3% and Sp=87%; b) Communication: S=79.5% and Sp=79.4%; c) Personal-Social: S=86.9% and Sp=85%; d) Adaptive: S=91.7% and Sp=85.1%; and e) Cognitive: S=83.6% and Sp=88.8%. Conclusions: When analyzing each field separately, better scores for the CDE are observed compared with those reported for the TDQ in both sensitivity and specificity.

[Reliability for detection of developmental problems using the semaphore from the Child Development Evaluation test: Is a yellow result different from a red result?] / Confiabilidad de la detección de problemas de desarrollo mediante el semáforo de la prueba de Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil: ¿es diferente un resultado amarillo de uno rojo?

BACKGROUND: The Child Development Evaluation (CDE) is a screening tool designed and validated in Mexico for detecting developmental problems. The result is expressed through a semaphore. In the CDE test, both yellow and red results are considered positive, although a different intervention is proposed for each. The aim of this work was to evaluate the reliability of the CDE test to discriminate between children with yellow/red result based on the developmental domain quotient (DDQ) obtained through the Battelle Development Inventory, 2nd edition (in Spanish) (BDI-2). METHODS: The information was obtained for the study from the validation. Children with a normal (green) result in the CDE were excluded. Two different cut-off points of the DDQ were used (BDI-2): <90 to include low average, and developmental delay was considered with a cut-off<80 per domain. Results were analyzed based on the correlation of the CDE test and each domain from the BDI-2 and by subgroups of age. RESULTS: With a cut-off DDQ<90, 86.8% of tests with yellow result (CDE) indicated at least one domain affected and 50% 3 or more compared with 93.8% and 78.8% for red result, respectively. There were differences in every domain (P<0.001) for the percent of children with DDQ<80 between yellow and red result (CDE): cognitive 36.1% vs. 61.9%; communication: 27.8% vs. 50.4%, motor: 18.1% vs. 39.9%; personal-social: 20.1% vs. 28.9%; and adaptive: 6.9% vs. 20.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The semaphore result yellow/red allows identifying different magnitudes of delay in developmental domains or subdomains, supporting the recommendation of different interventions for each one.