COVID-19 in a tertiary paediatric centre in Portugal: a single-centre retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the demographic, clinical, laboratory and imaging features of the first 300 SARS-CoV-2-infected children presenting to a tertiary paediatric centre in Portugal. DESIGN: Single-centre, retrospective, descriptive study of paediatric patients who had a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from 7 March to 20 September 2020. SETTING: Tertiary paediatric referral centre (Hospital Dona Estefânia, Lisbon, Portugal). PATIENTS: 18 years or younger. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence, mortality, age of infection, clinical characteristics, treatment prescribed and outcome. RESULTS: Three hundred patients with confirmed COVID-19 presented to the centre. One hundred and seventeen (39%) patients were admitted to the hospital: 69 with COVID-19 and 48 for other reasons. The most common symptoms in children admitted with COVID-19 were fever (49) and cough (38). Six patients required intensive care. Two children died and seven reported short-term sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 is usually a mild disease in children, but a small proportion of patients develop severe and critical disease. Fatal outcomes were rare and only occurred in children with severe previous medical conditions.

[Pediatric Tuberculosis: 12 Years of Experience in a Tertiary Referral Center in Portugal]. / Tuberculose em Idade Pediátrica: Experiência de 12 Anos num Centro Terciário de Referência em Portugal.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of tuberculosis in children is a challenge namely because extrapulmonary tuberculosis and severe disease are more frequent in this age group. The aim of this study was to evaluate and reflect about severe tuberculosis in pediatric age, in a metropolitan area of Lisbon. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study about patients under 18 years of age admitted with tuberculosis disease in a tertiary pediatric hospital, from 2008 to 2019 (12 years). RESULTS: We report 145 patients, average of 12 cases/year, with an increase in the last three years. Median age of 12.9 years, 42.8% born in Portuguese-speaking African countries and 20% had a chronic disease. The diagnosis was pulmonary tuberculosis in 52.4% (n = 76) and extrapulmonary tuberculosis in 47.6%: lymphatic (n = 26), skeletal (n = 15), miliary (n = 8), meningeal (n = 7), peritoneal/ intestinal (n = 6), pleural (n = 4), renal (n = 1), cutaneous (n = 1), thoracic wall (n = 1) and salivary glands (n = 1). The tuberculin test was positive in 78/99 (78.8%) and Interferon Gamma Release Assay in 61/90 (67.8%). In 20.7% (n = 30) acid-fast bacilli were identified in gastric aspirate/sputum and the agent was identified in 59.3% (n = 86). Tuberculosis was resistant in 11% (n = 16). Patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis were younger (p = 0.006) and had more prolonged therapy (p < 0.001). Therapy-related complications occurred in 11% (n = 16). One patient died (with terminal cancer). CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need for screening of tuberculosis in children from endemic countries, patients with immunosuppression and chronic disease.

Introdução: Em Pediatria, o diagnóstico de tuberculose constitui um desafio, pois a doença pode frequentemente manifestar-se através de formas graves e extrapulmonares. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e refletir sobre a tuberculose grave com necessidade de internamento, em idade pediátrica, numa área metropolitana de Lisboa.Material e Métodos: Estudo descritivo de doentes com idade inferior a 18 anos, internados com o diagnóstico de tuberculose num hospital pediátrico terciário, de 2008 a 2019 (12 anos).Resultados: Identificados 145 doentes, numa média de 12 casos por ano, e um aumento do número de casos nos últimos três anos. A mediana de idades dos doentes era de 12,9 anos, 42,8% nascidos em países africanos de língua oficial portuguesa e 20% tinham doença crónica. Diagnosticou-se tuberculose pulmonar em 52,4% (n = 76) e tuberculose extrapulmonar em 47,6%: ganglionar (n = 26), óssea (n = 15), miliar (n = 8), meníngea (n = 7), peritoneal/intestinal (n = 6), pleural (n = 4), renal (n = 1), cutânea (n = 1), da parede torácica (n = 1) e glândulas salivares (n = 1). A prova tuberculínica foi positiva em 78/99 (78,8%) e o Interferon Gamma Release Assay em 61/90 (67,8%). Em 20,7% (n = 30) identificaram-se bacilos ácido-álcool resistentes no exame direto do suco gástrico/expetoração e o agente foi identificado em 59,3% (n = 86). A tuberculose resistente ocorreu em 11% (n = 16). Os doentes com tuberculose extrapulmonar eram mais jovens (p = 0,006) e fizeram tratamentos mais prolongados (p < 0,001). Ocorreram complicações da terapêutica em 11% (n = 16). Registou-se um óbito numa doente com neoplasia avançada.Conclusão: Este estudo alerta para a necessidade do rastreio da infeção em crianças de países endémicos, imunossuprimidos e com doença crónica.

Aseptic Meningitis Caused by Coxiella Burnetii.

Acute Q fever can have multiple presentations but neurologic involvement is rare. We describe the case of a 16-year-old female with severe headache and aseptic meningitis with acute Coxiella burnetii infection.