Madrid Newborn Sickle Cell Disease Cohort: clinical outcomes, stroke prevention and survival.

In May 2003, Madrid established the universal newborn screening (NBS) for sickle cell disease (SCD). However, there are no studies resembling the evolution of a SCD neonate cohort followed according to national guidelines in Spain. The aim of this study is to describe the morbimortality and the stroke prevention programme in patients diagnosed by SCD NBS in Madrid. This is a multicentre, observational, prospective cohort study between 2003 and 2018; 187 patients diagnosed with SCD were included (151 HbSS, 6 HbSß0, 27 HbSC, 3 HbSß +), and median follow-up was 5.2 years (0.03-14.9). There were 5 deaths: 2 related to SCD in patients with severe genotype (HbSS/HbSß0). Overall survival reached 95% and SCD-related survival 96.8%. The most frequent events were fever without focus, vaso-occlusive crises and acute chest syndromes. Eight strokes occurred in 5 patients which led to a 90.7% stroke-free survival in severe genotype patients (first stroke rate, 0.54 per 100 patient-years). Transcranial Doppler (TCD) was performed in 95% of eligible patients; 75% of children with pathological TCD remained stroke-free. Regarding HbSS/HbSß0 patients, 50.1% received hydroxyurea and 9.5% haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This study reflects the evolution of Madrid SCD cohort and provides morbimortality data similar to other developed countries.

Spanish registry of hemoglobinopathies and rare anemias (REHem-AR): demographics, complications, and management of patients with ß-thalassemia.

INTRODUCTION: The increase in the number of patients with hemoglobinopathies in Europe in recent decades highlights the need for more detailed epidemiological information in Spain. To fulfil this need, the Spanish Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (SEHOP) sponsored the creation of a national registry of hemoglobinopathies known as REHem-AR (Spanish Registry of Hemoglobinopathies and Rare Anemias). Data from the transfusion-dependent (TDT) and non-transfusion-dependent (NTDT) ß-thalassemia cohorts are described and analyzed. METHODS: We performed an observational, multicenter, and ambispective study, which included patients of any age with TDT and NTDT, registered up to December 31, 2021. RESULTS: Among the 1741 patients included, 168 cases of thalassemia were identified (103 TDT and 65 NTDT-patients). Survival at 18 years was 93% for TDT and 100% for NTDT. Regarding management, 80 patients with TDT (77.7%) and 23 patients with NTDT (35.4%) started chelation treatment during follow-up, with deferasirox being the most widely used. A total of 76 patients within the TDT cohort presented at least 1 complication (73.8%), the most frequent being hemosiderosis and osteopenia-osteoporosis. Comparison of both cohorts revealed significant differences in the diagnosis of hepatic hemosiderosis (p = 0.00024), although these were not observed in the case of cardiac iron overload (p = 0.27). DISCUSSION: Our registry enabled us to describe the management of ß thalassemia in Spain and to analyze the morbidity and mortality of the cohorts of patients with TDT and NTDT. Complications related to iron overload in TDT and NTDT account for most of the morbidity and mortality of the disease, which is associated with a considerable social, psychological, and economic impact, although cardiac, osteopathy and endocrinological complications requiring more attention. The convenience and simplicity of online registries make it possible to homogenize variables and periodically update data, thus providing valuable information on these diseases.

Risk-score based strategy to minimize antibiotic exposure in children with sickle cell disease and fever.

Severe bacterial infections (SBI) have become less frequent in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the last decades. However, because of their potential risk of SBI, they usually receive empirical therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics when they develop fever and are hospitalized in many cases. We performed a prospective study including 79 SCD patients with fever [median age 4.1 (1.7-7.5) years, 78.5% males; 17 of the episodes were diagnosed with SBI and 4 of them were confirmed] and developed a risk score for the prediction of SBI. The optimal score included CRP > 3 mg/dl, IL-6 > 125 pg/ml and hypoxemia, with an AUC of 0.91 (0.83-0.96) for the prediction of confirmed SBI and 0.86 (0.77-0.93) for possible SBI. We classified the patients in 3 groups: low, intermediate and high risk of SBI. Our risk-score-based management proposal could help to safely minimize antibiotic treatments and hospital admissions in children with SCD at low risk of SBI.

Interleukin 6 as a marker of severe bacterial infection in children with sickle cell disease and fever: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Etiological diagnosis of fever in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) is often challenging. The aim of this study was to analyze the pattern of inflammatory biomarkers in SCD febrile children and controls, in order to determine predictors of severe bacterial infection (SBI). METHODS: A prospective, case-control study was carried out during 3 years, including patients younger than 18 years with SCD and fever (cases) and asymptomatic steady-state SCD children (controls). Clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters, including 10 serum proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17a, IFN-γ and TNF-α) and comparisons among study subgroups were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 137 patients (79 cases and 58 controls) were included in the study; 78.5% males, median age 4.1 (1.7-7.5) years. Four cases were diagnosed with SBI, 41 viral infection (VI), 33 no proven infection (NPI) and 1 bacterial-viral coinfection (the latter excluded from the subanalyses). IL-6 was significantly higher in patients with SBI than in patients with VI or NPI (163 vs 0.7 vs 0.7 pg/ml, p < 0.001), and undetectable in all controls. The rest of the cytokines analyzed did not show any significant difference. The optimal cut-off value of IL-6 for the diagnosis of SBI was 125 pg/mL, with high PPV and NPV (PPV of 100% for a prevalence rate of 5, 10 and 15% and NPV of 98.7%, 97.3% and 95.8% for those prevalences rates, respectively). CONCLUSION: We found that IL-6 (with a cut-off value of 125 pg/ml) was an optimal marker for SBI in this cohort of febrile SCD children, with high PPV and NPV. Therefore, given its rapid elevation, IL-6 may be useful to early discriminate SCD children at risk of SBI, in order to guide their management.

Complications of Central Venous Access Devices in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia Major.

Pediatric patients with sickle cell disease and thalassemia major present clinical characteristics that could lead to a higher incidence of central venous access devices-associated complications (CVAD-C). With the objective of analyzing the safety of the use of CVAD in these patients, a retrospective review including all pediatric patients with these pathologies who required the implantation of a CVAD between 2004 and 2019 was performed. In all, 54 patients with 100 CVAD (65 totally implantable venous access port with subcutaneous reservoir, 35 single-lumen or double-lumen partially tunneled catheter) were included. During 60,410 days at risk of suffering a CVAD-C, 55 complications (complication rate [CR]/1000 catheter-days at risk=0.91) were reported in 46 CVAD: 19 mechanicals (CR=0.32), 32 infectious (CR=0.53), and 4 thrombotic complications (CR=0.066). Incidence of mechanical and infectious complications was significantly higher in double-lumen partially tunneled catheter than in totally implantable venous access port with subcutaneous reservoir (P<0.001). Lower age at insertion was related with a higher incidence of any complication (odds ratio=0.88/y, P=0.02). Patients who required a stem cell transplantation (31 patients and 65 CVAD) had no significant higher incidences of CVAD-C. In conclusion, our study supports the safety of using CVAD in these patients, with a low incidence of infectious, thrombotic, and mechanical complications.

Bromocriptine for the treatment of postoperative cerebellar mutism syndrome in pediatric patients: Three case reports.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS) is a common complication after posterior fossa tumor resection. It is characterized by a significant lack or loss of speech. Its biological origin remains unclear and there are no standardized treatments. However, bromocriptine seems to be a possible treatment for this condition. CASE REPORT: In this paper, we present three cases of pediatric patients (4, 5, and 17-year old) who developed CMS after posterior fossa tumor surgery. They were treated with bromocriptine to improve neurological symptoms.Management and outcome: Bromocriptine was started at a low dose and was progressively increased to reach the minimum effective dose. After four months of treatment, a normal and fluid speech was observed in the three patients. No discontinuation due to adverse events were reported. DISCUSSION: Bromocriptine has shown to be an effective and safe treatment for CMS in pediatric patients after posterior fossa tumor resection.

Blinatumomab and inotuzumab for B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children: a retrospective study from the Leukemia Working Group of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (SEHOP).

Blinatumomab and inotuzumab ozogamycin represent promising alternatives to conventional chemotherapy in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). We analysed data from 29 children with ALL treated under compassionate use with blinatumomab, inotuzumab or both. The complete remission (CR) rate in a heavily pretreated population with overt relapse was 47·6%. At earlier stages (first/second CR), both antibodies represented a useful tool to reduce minimal residual disease, and/or avoid further toxic chemotherapy until stem cell transplantation. Six patients developed grade 3 reversible non-haematological toxicity. The 12-month overall survival and event-free survival rates were 50·8 ± 26·4% and 38·9 ± 25·3% with blinatumomab, 45·8 ± 26% and 27·5 ± 25% with inotuzumab.

Fifteen years of newborn sickle cell disease screening in Madrid, Spain: an emerging disease in a European country.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) describes a set of chronic inherited anemias characterized by hemolysis, episodes of vaso-occlusion, and high infectious risk, with high morbidity and mortality. Newborn screening (NBS) for SCD allows family health education and early start of infectious prophylaxis. In the Community of Madrid, a pilot universal NBS study found that the SCA birth prevalence was 1/5851 in newborns, higher than expected, confirming the need to include early detection in the NBS program. The aim of the present prospective single-center study is to analyze the results of newborn SCD screening in Madrid in terms of epidemiological data and its inclusion in a comprehensive care program during the last 15 years, between 1st of May 2003 and 1st of May 2018. During the study period, 1,048,222 dried bloodspots were analyzed. One hundred ninety-seven patients were diagnosed with possible SCD (HPLC phenotype of FS, FSA, FSC, FSE, FSDPunjab, FSOArab), with 187 patients finally confirmed (birth prevalence 1/5552 newborns, 0.18 per 1000 live births), and 1 out of 213 infants carried Hb S. All of them were seen by a specialist clinician; median age at the first visit consultation was 35 days and median age at the beginning of penicillin treatment was 66 days. The Madrid SCD NBS program achieved high rates of sensitivity and specificity and good quality of care assistance. Establishing a good relationship with the family, a strong education program, and a multidisciplinary team that includes social workers and a psychologist are needed to ensure the success of early intervention.

Newborn screening for sickle cell disease in Europe: recommendations from a Pan-European Consensus Conference.

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an increasing global health problem and presents significant challenges to European health care systems. Newborn screening (NBS) for SCD enables early initiation of preventive measures and has contributed to a reduction in childhood mortality from SCD. Policies and methodologies for NBS vary in different countries, and this might have consequences for the quality of care and clinical outcomes for SCD across Europe. A two-day Pan-European consensus conference was held in Berlin in April 2017 in order to appraise the current status of NBS for SCD and to develop consensus-based statements on indications and methodology for NBS for SCD in Europe. More than 50 SCD experts from 13 European countries participated in the conference. This paper aims to summarise the discussions and present consensus recommendations which can be used to support the development of NBS programmes in European countries where they do not yet exist, and to review existing programmes.

Lactate Dehydrogenase: A Marker of the Severity of Vaso-Occlusive Crisis in Children with Sickle Cell Disease Presenting at the Emergency Department.

The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) in children with sickle cell disease and to identify factors associated with greater severity. We performed a prospective observational study from August 2012 to January 2014. The study population comprised patients with sickle cell disease who consulted at the emergency department (ED) for VOC. We recorded demographic variables, history of complications related to the disease, and data on usual treatment. We also assessed pain, analgesia at home, need for admission, length of stay, and analgesia during admission. Analytical parameters were collected. A total of 29 patients with VOC were included. The patient's usual treatment was hydroxyurea (HU) in 69.0%, and 7.0% required chronic transfusions. In the ED, 90.0% had moderate or severe pain, even though 86.0% had received analgesia at home (41.4% minor opioids). Overall, 27 of the 29 patients were admitted, and 56.0% needed major opioids. Higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were related to the use of major opioids during admission (p = 0.038). A significant difference was recorded between the median number of days of admission for patients receiving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and for those requiring intravenous opioids (p = 0.005). Most patients with VOC were admitted to hospital. Lactate dehydrogenase level in the ED was a predictor of severity and was associated with the need for major opioids during admission and more days of admission.

Use of Monoclonal Antibodies in a Pediatric Patient With Severe Combined Immunodeficiency and Persistent SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

We describe the use of monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection in a pediatric patient with severe combined immunodeficiency who required urgent stem cell transplantation to cure his disease.

[Recurrent Cupriavidus Pauculus catheter-related bacteremia]. / Bacteriemia recurrente relacionada con catéter por Cupriavidus pauculus.

Catheter-related bacteriemia by Cupriavidus spp. is a rare condition with very few cases reported in the literature. Most of them occurred in immunocompromised patients. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of recurrent catheter-related bacteriemia by Cupriavidus pauculus in an immunocompromised infant in order to analyze possible therapeutic options, especially in relation to the need or not for central venous catheter (CVC) removal. CLINICAL CASE: 22-month-old infant with B-cell acute lymphoblas tic leukemia (ALL) in reinduction phase, CVC carrier. He presented to the Emergency Room with fever without focus on examination. Blood tests were performed (without increase of acute phase reactants) and differential blood cultures (peripheral and CVC). He was hospitalized and empirical antibiotic therapy was started with intravenous fourth-generation cephalosporin (cefepime). After 24 hours, blood cultures were positive for Cupriavidus pauculus, growing first in the CVC culture. We maintained cefepime, adding catheter lock therapy with ciprofloxacin. Afterward, the infection was resolved, allowing us to keep the CVC. Seven months later, in the context of fever, Cupriavidus pauculus was again identified in CVC blood culture. We decided this time to remove the catheter, in addition to the administration of intravenous cefepime. The patient has not presented new episodes nine months after de removal of the CVC. CONCLUSION: Catheter-related bacteremia by Cupriavidus is a rare condition in children that usually occurs in immunocompromised patients. Catheter lock therapy associated with systemic antibiotics could be a safe option in patients with difficult CVC re moval. However, if persistent colonization of the CVC is suspected, it may be necessary to remove it.

Venous thromboembolism in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia under chemotherapy treatment. Risk factors and usefulness of thromboprophylaxis. Results of LAL-SEHOP-PETHEMA-2013.

INTRODUCTION: Symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) is diagnosed in 3%-14% of patients during pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy. There are well-known risk factors, but the role of others as inherited thrombophilia is still controversial. Prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) has been described, but its use is not globally accepted. METHODS: A retrospective multicentric study in ALL patients 1-18 years old following SEHOP-PETHEMA-2013 treatment guideline was performed to evaluate VTE rate, anticoagulant treatment, outcome, risk factors, and safety and usefulness of LMWH administration as primary thromboprophylaxis in children with inherited thrombophilia. RESULTS: A total of 652 patients were included in the study. VTE incidence was 8.7%. Most of the cases occurred during induction therapy associated with central venous catheter. Univariant analysis showed that family history of thrombosis, presence of mediastinal mass, high-risk treatment group, and inherited thrombophilia were statistically significant risk factors. LMWH administration seemed to decrease VTE rate in patients with inherited thrombophilia and those with T-cell ALL phenotype. CONCLUSION: Most of the VTE cases occurred in patients without inherited thrombophilia, but when it is present, the VTE risk is higher. LMWH administration was useful to decrease VTE in these patients.

Case Report: Severe ARDS in a Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation Recipient Caused by Disseminated Toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasma gondii infection is a severe complication of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients that can remain unnoticed without a high clinical suspicion. We present the case of a 6-year-old patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and HSCT recipient who was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) on post-transplantation day +39 with fever, hypotension, severe respiratory distress and appearance of a lumbar subcutaneous node. She developed severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and underwent endotracheal intubation and early mechanical ventilation. Subsequently, she required prone ventilation, inhaled nitric oxide therapy and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV). An etiologic study was performed, being blood, urine, bronchoalveolar lavage and biopsy of the subcutaneous node positive for Toxoplasma gondii by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Diagnosis of disseminated toxoplasmosis was established and treatment with pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine and folinic acid started. The patient showed clinical improvement, allowing weaning of mechanical ventilation and transfer to the hospitalization ward after 40 days in the PICU. It is important to consider toxoplasmosis infection in immunocompromised patients with sepsis and, in cases of severe respiratory distress, early mechanical ventilation should be started using the open lung approach. In Toxoplasma IgG positive patients, close monitoring and appropriate anti-infectious prophylaxis is needed after HSCT.

Complete RH and Kell matching related to low alloimmunisation risk in sickle cell disease: prevalence and risk factors of alloimmunisation in a Spanish Tertiary Care National Reference Centre.

BACKGROUND: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion remains an essential part of sickle cell disease (SCD) management but it can lead to alloimmunisation, with an increased incidence in this population. Prevention is based on RBC antigen phenotype matching, with complete RH and Kell matching being a standard of care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective, single-centre study analysing alloimmunisation prevalence and risk factors in a cohort of transfused SCD patients. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients (96.5% of paediatric age) received 1,781 RBC units (RBCu). Complete RH and Kell matched RBCu represented a median of 100% among total transfusions per patient. Of the 87 patients, 52 (59.8%) underwent chronic transfusion therapy, whereas 35 (40.2%) were only episodically transfused. Seven patients were alloimmunised (8.4%) and eleven antibodies were detected (alloimmunisation rate: 0.62/100 units transfused). 54.6% of these antibodies corresponded to RH-Kell despite the high accomplishment of the RH-Kell matching transfusion protocol. Alloimmunised patients had a median of 90.9% RH-Kell matched transfusions vs 100% in non-alloimmunised patients, but no statistical differences were observed (p=0.127). Number of transfused RBCu (19 vs 7; p=0.023), number of episodic RBCu (8 vs 2; p=0.006), episodic to chronic RBCu ratio (0.57 vs 0.09; p=0.045), number of vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) (4 vs 2; p=0.011), and autoantibody presence (57.1 vs 0%; p<0.001) were all statistically related to alloimmunisation. DISCUSSION: We report a low alloimmunisation prevalence (8.4%) related to a high grade of RH-Kell matching. However, deviation from 100% translates into alloimmunisation, with >50% of alloantibodies corresponding to RH-Kell. Alloimmunisation risk increases with transfusion burden, particularly during acute complications, and in patients with a higher number of VOC, probably reflecting underlying inflammation and disease severity. Further studies will be needed to elucidate additional risk factors and help prevent alloimmunisation in these patients.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of prophylactic oral vitamin D (cholecalciferol) in children with sickle cell disease.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency has become an emerging public health problem due to its influence on skeletal and extraskeletal diseases. Bone health in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) is especially compromised and they are more likely to have 25(OH)D deficiency than the general population. Despite this, there is little information on the efficacy of vitamin D3 (vitD3) prophylaxis and its role in improving bone mineral density (BMD) in this population. PROCEDURES: A prospective, longitudinal, single-center study was conducted with 136 children with SCD monitored at a tertiary referral hospital for SCD. Demographic, clinical and management data, 25(OH)D levels and bone densitometries (DXA) were collected. RESULTS: Eighty patients were included. There are significant differences between the means of each of 25(OH)D levels as a function of whether the patient started prophylactic treatment as an infant or not (35.71 vs. 27.89 ng/ml, respectively [p = .014]). In multivariate analysis, 800 IU daily dose was shown as a protective factor (p = .044) to reach optimal blood levels (≥30 ng/ml). According to Kaplan-Meier curves, patients younger than 10 years reached optimal levels earlier than older (p = .002), as well as those who were not being treated with hydroxyurea (p = .039). CONCLUSIONS: VitD3 prophylaxis is a safe practice in SCD. It is important to start this prophylactic treatment when the child is an infant. The daily regimen with 800 IU could be more effective for reaching levels ≥30 ng/ml, and, especially in preadolescent and adolescent patients, we should raise awareness about the importance of good bone health.

Detection of Respiratory Viruses in the Clinical Outcome of Children With Fever and Neutropenia.

BACKGROUND: Several evidence-based guidelines for the management of children with febrile neutropenia (FN) have been published, with special focus in bacterial and fungal infections. However, the role of acute respiratory infections caused by respiratory viruses (RV) has not been clearly established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology, clinical presentation and outcome of acute respiratory infections in children with FN. METHODS: Patients, <18 years of age admitted to the Pediatric Oncology-Hematology Unit after developing FN between November 2010 and December 2013, were prospectively included in the study. Children were evaluated by clinical examination and laboratory tests. Nasopharyngeal sample was obtained for detection of RV. RESULTS: There was a total of 112 episodes of FN in 73 children admitted to the hospital during a 32-month period. According to disease severity, 33% of the episodes were considered moderate or severe. Rhinovirus was the most frequently detected RV (66.6%; 24/36), followed by parainfluenza. On regard to clinical outcome, RV-infected children developed fewer episodes of moderate or severe FN compared with non-RV infected children (16.7% vs. 33.3%; P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: A great proportion of children with FN admitted to a tertiary hospital had a RV isolation. The rate of this RV isolation was significantly higher when a rapid molecular test was used compared with conventional microbiologic methods. Rhinovirus was the most frequently isolated, although its role as an active agent of acute infection was not clear. Children with FN and a RV isolate had a lower rate of severe disease.

Update of the Spanish registry of haemoglobinopathies in children and adults. / Actualización del registro español de hemoglobinopatías de niños y adultos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients with thalassaemia major (TM) and sickle cell disease (SCD) in Spain have been counted since the creation of the Spanish registry of haemoglobinopathies (REHem). The objective of this paper is to update the published data after the increase in cases due to the inclusion of adults and introduction of new-born screening in almost the whole country. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational, descriptive, multicentre and ambispective study that included patients with haemoglobinopathies registered in the REHem, started in January 2014 and followed up annually. The data presented correspond until December 31, 2017. RESULTS: Nine hundred and fifty-nine patients were collected. There were 75 cases of thalassaemia (62 TM), 826 of ECF and 58 of other types of haemoglobinopathies. The main diagnostic reason in the TM cohort was anaemia symptoms (70.6%), with a mean age at diagnosis of .7 years; in the SCD cohort it was neonatal screening (33.1%), with a mean age at diagnosis of 2.7 years; 26 patients with TM (41.9%) and 30 with SCD (3.6%) underwent a transplant. There were 2 deaths (3.2%) with TM and 19 (2.3%) with SCD. Overall survival was 96.7% in the TM and 97.5% in the SCD cases at 15 years. CONCLUSIONS: Since the previous publication and after the diffusion of new-born screening, the most frequent diagnostic method, to the majority of autonomous regions, and the inclusion of adult patients to the registry, the REHem has increased by more than 240 cases, reaching a total of 959 records.