Should we be afraid of long-term cardiac consequences in children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome? Experience from subsequent waves of COVID-19.

The purpose of the study was to assess and compare short- and long-term cardiac complications of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) by predominant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants throughout the pandemic. The analysis of prospectively collected data comparing cardiac complications of MIS-C during and after hospitalization across the original/alpha, delta, and omicron waves. Cardiac complications were defined as cardiac failure with systolic function impairment or hypotension or abnormalities in echocardiographic findings (decrease in LVEF, FS, valvular insufficiency, pericardial effusion, or coronary artery abnormalities). A total of 120 patients with MIS-C admitted to the Children's Hospital of Krakow between November 1, 2020, and May 5, 2023, were included in the study (74 during original/alpha dominance, 31 delta, and 15 omicron). Patients in the omicron group were found to be younger than those in the alpha and delta groups (37 vs. 75 vs. 80 months, p = 0.03). The frequency of cardiac failure with systolic function impairment or hypotension was diagnosed more frequently in the original/alpha and delta groups than in the omicron group (44.59% vs. 41.94% vs. 13.33%, p = 0.08) also echocardiographic abnormalities changed, with rates of 60.8%, 35.5%, and 13.3% (p < 0.001) accordingly. The multivariable regression revealed an older age (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.07-1.33, p = 0.002) as the only independent factors of cardiac failure with systolic function impairment or hypotension. In all patients, signs of cardiac failure resolved during the hospitalization. Moreover, in 98.3% of patients, all echocardiagraphic abnormalities resolved completely during the observation period.    Conclusion: The cardiac complications of MIS-C appeared to advance less severely in younger children during the Omicron outbreak. In long-term observation, symptoms of cardiac failure resolve completely. Similarly, also echocardiographic abnormalities normalize in the vast majority of patients. What is Known: • Knowledge about the long-term cardiac complications of MIS-C is still evolving and uncertain. • The greatest concern of MIS-C is cardiac complications, including cardiac failure and coronary artery dilatation. What is New: • Long-term observations revealed complete resolution of cardiac complications in the vast majority of patients with MIS-C, irrespective of the dominant variant. • Cardiac complications of MIS-C were less common in younger children during subsequent pandemic waves in our patient population.

Comparison of the course of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children during different pandemic waves.

The purpose of this study is to assess the rate, clinical picture, and management of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) during the different COVID-19 variants of concern (VOC) domination periods. This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. The incidence and clinical picture of MIS-C during the original/Alpha (group 1) and Delta/Omicron (Group 2) variant domination periods were compared. Among 108 eligible patients, 74 (68.5%) were hospitalized during the group 1 domination period, and 34 (31.5%) were hospitalized during the group 2 domination period. The median (Me) patient ages were 76 months (interquartile range [IQR] 35-130) and 73 months (IQR 45-118), and 61% and 65% of patients were male, respectively. There was no significant difference in the presence of positive SARS-CoV 2 antibody test results (IgM or IgG) between the groups (84 vs. 90%; p = 0.54).No differences between groups were observed in fever duration prior to admission (Me [IQR]: 5 days [3-6] vs. 5 days [4-6]; p = 0.26) or the presence of mucocutaneous (95 vs. 100%; p = 0.41), circulatory (70.3 vs. 61.8%; p = 0.86), neurological (6.8 vs. 2.9%; p = 0.662), or gastrointestinal symptoms (84 vs. 79%; p = 0.59). Respiratory symptoms were more common in group 2 (70 vs. 91%; p = 0.015). The need for intensive care unit admission was similar in both groups (16.2 vs. 17.6%, p = 1.0). No deaths occurred in the entire cohort. The studied children were characterized by high C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels, concentrations of ferritin within normal limits, lymphopenia, moderate hypoalbuminemia, and high B-type natriuretic peptide/brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations; however, there were no differences between the groups. Intravenous immunoglobulins were administered as a first-line treatment for almost all patients. There was no significant difference in corticosteroid administration between the groups (87% vs. 74%; p = 0.11); however, the summary dose of methylprednisolone was higher in group 2 (Me [IQR]″ 12.6 mg/kg [10.5-17.8] vs. 16.4 mg/kg [13.3-19.5]; p = 0.03). The median length of stay was 11 days [IQR]: [9-14] and 10 days [8-12], respectively (p = 0.065). CONCLUSION: The clinical course of MIS-C is similar in subsequent pandemic waves; however, the incidence of MIS-C seems to be decreasing. WHAT IS KNOWN: • The clinical picture of COVID-19 is evolving. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a relatively new serious disease connected with SARS-CoV-2 infection, and in subsequent waves of the pandemic, new cases of the disease have been recorded. WHAT IS NEW: • The clinical picture of MIS-C is not specific, but the course is still severe. • The incidence of MIS-C during the different pandemic waves is decreasing and the diagnosis in the period of lower prevalance is challenging.

Different Clinical Manifestations of Adenoviral Infection Confirmed Using Point-of-Care Testing in a Group of Hospitalized Children.

Objective: A restrospective analysis of the clinical picture (inflammatory markers, characteristics of fever, comorbidities) in different clinical manifestations of human adenovirus (HAdV) infections confirmed using point-of-care testing in a group of hospitalized children. Material and Methods: A total of 135 children with confirmed HAdV infections were divided into three groups according to their clinical symptoms: Group A­respiratory (n = 57), Group B­gastrointestinal (n = 40), and Griup C­mixed (n = 38). Results: Respiratory and mixed HAdV-infected patients, as compared with gastrointestinal HAdV-infected patients, were younger (median value (Me) and interquartile range (IQR) (months): 17 (12−30) and 17 (12−27) vs. 30 (16−50), p = 0.04), had a longer duration of fever (days): 3 (1−5) and 3 (1−4) vs. 1 (1−2), p = 0.01), and had higher C-reactive protein values (mg/L): 29.2 (10.4−69.1) and 28.7 (10.8−49.1) vs. <5 (<5−20.6), p < 0.001). There were no correlations between CRP levels and patient's age, fever duration, the occurrence of acute otitis media and lower respiratory tract infection, and antibiotic treatment before admission. Conclusions: Patients with respiratory HAdV infections have fevers more often, the duration of the fever prior to admission is longer, and CRP levels are higher.

Severe enterovirus infections in infants <3 months of age and the importance of medical history.

BACKGROUND: Enteroviral infections in infants <3 months of age are frequent and under-diagnosed even though they can be life-threatening. Properly conducted subjective examination, which is repeatedly neglected, plays a key role in the diagnosis and treatment of these infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analyses included children <3 months of age with confirmed enterovirus infection, hospitalised in the Department of Paediatrics from January 2019 to February 2020. Infections were confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in the cerebrospinal fluid using Neuro9 FTD set and in the stool using PB-03/Neuro; antibodies were determined in one patient. RESULTS: This study presents a detailed description of three cases with confirmed enterovirus infection and a positive epidemiological history. The cases involve viral sepsis, myocarditis with arrhythmia and circulatory failure, and meningitis with seizures. In addition, the details of 10 patients hospitalised in the Children's Clinic with a confirmed enterovirus infection are presented. Based on these cases, a significant influence of family history-taking on the diagnosis and implementation of appropriate treatment was found. CONCLUSION: In most of the analysed cases, family history of viral infection was positive. In patients with the most severe course of the enterovirus infection, accurate epidemiological history is extremely important, and the suspicion of viral infection and securing appropriate materials for testing may significantly speed up the diagnosis in the newborn and help to implement an appropriate treatment.

[Chronic cough in children].

Coughing is one of the most common patient complaints at physicians' office. The majority of children experience 5 to 8 episodes of cough lasting about a week throughout the year. Episodes of cough which last longer than 4 weeks, defined as a chronic cough, result in serious parental concern, impaired quality of life, increased number of medical consultations and the adverse effects of inappropriately used medications. Overall, a chronic cough is not only a serious health problem, but also a social one. The article presented below summarizes our current knowledge on the pathophysiology of chronic cough, the latest diagnostics and most recent measurement and monitoring methods as well as recommendations for therapeutic proceedings. In order to emphasize the distinct pathophysiology of chronic cough we use a new term: cough hypersensitivity syndrome. We point out the necessity of the concurrent implementation of more than one cough monitoring method for its more adequate evaluation. This article in addition presents the diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms in the treatment of a chronic cough which shorten the time to make a proper diagnosis, enable the introduction of adequate treatment, and ultimately improve the patients' quality of life. We present new therapeutic strategies, which are based on regulating the activity of vagal afferent nerves and modifying the neurotransmiters' transmission in the brainstem and midbrain.

[Early enzyme replacement therapy - hope for patients with mucopolysaccharidosis Type II]. / Wczesna enzymatyczna terapia substytucyjna ­ nadzieja dla chorych na mukopolisacharydoze typu II.

We present an unexpected outcome of 10 years of enzyme replacement therapy of a boy with mucopolysaccharidosis type II. Due to a positive familiar history (severe disease course in a sibling) the diagnosis was established in the first month of life. Treatment with Elaprase was introduced two months later. Since then normal physical and mental development is observed. The patient presents only relatively large head circumference (+2.1 SD) and slight decrease of joints mobility. In our opinion, early introduction of enzyme replecement therapy could attenuate the disease course.