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Buonsenso D, Ferro V, Viozzi F, Morello R, Proli F, Bersani G, Lazzareschi I, Santangelo R, Sanguinetti M, Fiori B, Zampino G, Valentini P. Changes in clinical, demographic, and outcome patterns of children hospitalized with non-SARS-CoV-2 viral low respiratory tract infections before and during the COVID pandemic in Rome, Italy. Pediatr Pulmonol 2024; 59:362-370. [PMID: 37937896 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We performed this study aiming to evaluate changes in epidemiology, clinical presentation and outcomes of children hospitalized for viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). METHODS We performed a retrospective study of children younger than 18 years of age hospitalized for LRTIs with a positive respiratory viral testing from 2018 to 2022. We compared need of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), invasive ventilation, and other respiratory support, viral etiologies, clinical presentations, imaging, and laboratory results in the precovid (2018-2019) and covid (2020-2022) period. RESULTS A total of 523 were included in the analysis. In the pandemic period, the detection of influenza was 95% less likely to occur (odds ratio [OR]: 0.05; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.02-0.12; p < .001), likewise the detection of adenovirus was 77% less likely to occur (OR: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.10-0.51; p < .001). In the pandemic period, the number of codetections increased from 15.52% in 2018 to 57.25% in 2022, resulting in a significantly increasing trend (p < .001). The odds of transfer to PICU was more than five times greater during the pandemic period (OR: 5.31; 95% CI: 1.78-15.86; p = .003). CONCLUSIONS We found that the pattern of LRTI in children during COVID-19 pandemic significantly changed in terms of etiologies and increased severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Centro di Salute Globale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Valentina Ferro
- Department of Emergency, Acceptance and General Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Viozzi
- Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Rosa Morello
- Department of Woman and Child Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Proli
- Department of Woman and Child Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Bersani
- Department of Woman and Child Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Lazzareschi
- Department of Woman and Child Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio Sanguinetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie-Sezione di Microbiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Fiori
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Zampino
- Department of Woman and Child Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Piero Valentini
- Department of Woman and Child Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Karavanaki K, Karanasios S, Soldatou A, Tsolia M. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in children and adolescents with and without type 1 diabetes mellitus. Endocrine 2023; 82:226-236. [PMID: 37587391 PMCID: PMC10543146 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-023-03471-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Adults with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) have increased risk of severe clinical presentation during COVID-19 infection, while children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have the same mild clinical course as their healthy peers, especially those with optimal glycemic control. The present review focuses on the necessity of COVID-19 vaccination among children and adolescents with T1D, and also in their non-diabetic peers. The efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines are also discussed, as well as their various side-effects, ranging from common mild to very rare and serious ones. Furthermore, the results of COVID-19 vaccination of adolescents with and without T1D are reported, as well as the efficacy and concerns about childhood vaccination. It is concluded that patients with DM of all age groups should maintain optimal diabetic control in order to avoid glycemic deterioration during COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, despite the very rare and serious complications of COVID-19 vaccines, vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended for children and adolescents with T1D to prevent glycemic deterioration and rare but serious complications of COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriaki Karavanaki
- Diabetes and Metabolism Clinic, 2nd Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "P&A Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyridon Karanasios
- Diabetes and Metabolism Clinic, 2nd Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "P&A Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandra Soldatou
- Diabetes and Metabolism Clinic, 2nd Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "P&A Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
| | - Maria Tsolia
- Diabetes and Metabolism Clinic, 2nd Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "P&A Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Loder RT, Johnson BA. Changes in pediatric fracture patterns presenting to US emergency departments before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20953. [PMID: 37920510 PMCID: PMC10618497 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze the demographics of pediatric fracture patients before, during, and after the COVID pandemic using US national emergency department (ED) data. The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) data for the years 2018 through 2021 was extracted for those <16 years of age, and organized into 24 consecutive bimonthly groups. There was a decrease in the number of ED visits for fractures in 2020 and returned to pre-COVID levels by March/April of 2021, except for small hospitals which demonstrated an earlier rebound beginning in late 2020. During the pandemic the incident locale was more frequently the home and less at schools/sporting venues, which returned to pre-COVID levels by March/April 2021. The proportion of those not discharged from the ED increases from March/April 2020 to March/April 2021. The median age was 8.8, 9.0, 8.2, and 8.7 years respectively for the years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Early in the pandemic there were more radius/ulna and fewer finger fractures and more tibia/fibula and fewer toe fractures; these changes did not return to pre-COVID percentages until the end of 2021. Fractures associated with bicycles and trampolines remained stable throughout the pandemic, those due to skateboards increased, and those due to playground and sporting activities decreased, with varying times of return to pre-COVID levels. In conclusion pediatric fracture patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated many changes; most returned to baseline patterns by early/mid 2021 except for small hospital EDs which saw a much quicker rebound by late 2020. This national data gives health care providers/administrators information about what can happen during a modern day pandemic. If another pandemic occurs in the future mandating lockdowns, this data may be useful to guide resource and manpower allocations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randall T. Loder
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Riley Children's Hospital, Phase 1, Suite 1100, 705 Riley Hospital Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Benjamin A. Johnson
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Riley Children's Hospital, Phase 1, Suite 1100, 705 Riley Hospital Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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Victor S, Barnett DJ, Hayanga JWA, Pascual-Ferrá P, Hayanga HK. Decision-Making Prepandemic: University Curtailment of Academic Operations Closure Processes During the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2023; 17:e512. [PMID: 37859433 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2023.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Through in-depth interviews, this study aimed to understand perspectives of key stakeholders regarding the decision to curtail academic operations in the setting of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak before the declaration of a pandemic on March 11, 2020, and how such processes may be optimized in the future to best protect public health and safety. METHODS Virtual interviews with key stakeholders from 4 academic institutions were conducted from September to December 2020 using a standardized interview question template. The interviews lasted approximately 30-45 minutes and each interview was recorded with permission. The interviews were then transcribed and reviewed for qualitative analysis. RESULTS The decision to curtail academic operations involved several common themes, such as discussing how institutions would control the outbreak and the process of transitioning to virtual learning and remote work. Universities were monitoring other universities' responses as well as evaluating the prevalence of cases nationally and globally. Risks and challenges identified included housing for international students, financial implications, and loss of academic productivity. CONCLUSIONS The decision-making process may be optimized in the future by focusing on communication within a smaller committee, prioritizing epidemiology over fiscal implications, and embracing an openness to consider new strategies. Further research regarding this topic should be pursued to best protect public health and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samjeris Victor
- West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Daniel J Barnett
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - J W Awori Hayanga
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | | | - Heather K Hayanga
- Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
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Mudenda S, Meyer JC, Fadare JO, Ogunleye OO, Saleem Z, Matafwali SK, Daka V, Chabalenge B, Chama J, Mukosha M, Skosana P, Witika BA, Kalungia AC, Hamachila A, Mufwambi W, Godman B. COVID-19 vaccine uptake and associated factors among adolescents and youths: Findings and implications for future vaccination programmes. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0002385. [PMID: 37729153 PMCID: PMC10511127 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Adolescents and youths are a key part of the population that needs to be protected against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This is because they are more likely to spread the virus to vulnerable individuals. In view of these concerns, this study investigated the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines and associated factors among adolescents and youths attending secondary schools in Zambia. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1500 school-going adolescents in Lusaka from September 2022 to November 2022. Overall, 1409 participants took part giving a response rate of 94%. Only 29.2% (n = 411) of the participants were vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of the study. Compared to their unvaccinated counterparts, vaccinated adolescents and youths scored higher for knowledge (66.2% vs 57.8%) and attitudes (76.7% vs 39.4%) regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Healthcare workers, family/friends and social media were key sources of information regarding the vaccine. Factors associated with increased vaccine uptake were positive attitudes (AOR = 33.62, 95% CI: 19.92-56.73), indicating it was stressful to follow COVID-19 preventive measures (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.09-1.99), participants in Grade 12 (AOR = 3.39, 95% CI: 1.94-5.91), Grade 11 (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.94-5.91), Grade 10 (AOR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.98-6.11) and Grade 9 (AOR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.74-5.32) compared to Grade 8. This study found a relatively low uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among adolescents and youths in Zambia. There is a need to provide adequate strategies to address knowledge and attitude gaps regarding COVID-19 vaccines to improve uptake and reduce future morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steward Mudenda
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Johanna C. Meyer
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Joseph O. Fadare
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Olayinka O. Ogunleye
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Zikria Saleem
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Scott K. Matafwali
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene &Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Victor Daka
- Department of Public Health, Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine, Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia
| | - Billy Chabalenge
- Department of Medicines Control, Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Jacob Chama
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Moses Mukosha
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- HIV and Women’s Health Research Group, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Phumzile Skosana
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Bwalya A. Witika
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Aubrey C. Kalungia
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Audrey Hamachila
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Webrod Mufwambi
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Brian Godman
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Soriano-Arandes A, Brett A, Buonsenso D, Emilsson L, de la Fuente Garcia I, Gkentzi D, Helve O, Kepp KP, Mossberg M, Muka T, Munro A, Papan C, Perramon-Malavez A, Schaltz-Buchholzer F, Smeesters PR, Zimmermann P. Policies on children and schools during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Western Europe. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1175444. [PMID: 37564427 PMCID: PMC10411527 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1175444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
During the pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), mitigation policies for children have been a topic of considerable uncertainty and debate. Although some children have co-morbidities which increase their risk for severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and complications such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome and long COVID, most children only get mild COVID-19. On the other hand, consistent evidence shows that mass mitigation measures had enormous adverse impacts on children. A central question can thus be posed: What amount of mitigation should children bear, in response to a disease that is disproportionally affecting older people? In this review, we analyze the distinct child versus adult epidemiology, policies, mitigation trade-offs and outcomes in children in Western Europe. The highly heterogenous European policies applied to children compared to adults did not lead to significant measurable differences in outcomes. Remarkably, the relative epidemiological importance of transmission from school-age children to other age groups remains uncertain, with current evidence suggesting that schools often follow, rather than lead, community transmission. Important learning points for future pandemics are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Soriano-Arandes
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunodeficiencies Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Brett
- Infectious Diseases Unit and Emergency Service, Hospital Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Louise Emilsson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
- Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Isabel de la Fuente Garcia
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, National Pediatric Center, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Despoina Gkentzi
- Department of Paediatrics, Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
| | - Otto Helve
- Department of Health Security, Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Pediatric Research Center, Children's Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kasper P. Kepp
- Section of Biophysical and Biomedicinal Chemistry, DTU Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Maria Mossberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Taulant Muka
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Epistudia, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alasdair Munro
- NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility and Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Cihan Papan
- Institute for Hygiene and Public Health, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Aida Perramon-Malavez
- Computational Biology and Complex Systems (BIOCOM-SC) Group, Department of Physics, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC·BarcelonaTech), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Pierre R. Smeesters
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Brussels, Academic Children’s Hospital Queen Fabiola, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Petra Zimmermann
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Department of Paediatrics, Fribourg Hospital, Fribourg, Switzerland
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7
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Martino L, Morello R, De Rose C, Buonsenso D. Persistent respiratory symptoms associated with post-Covid condition (Long Covid) in children: a systematic review and analysis of current gaps and future perspectives. Expert Rev Respir Med 2023; 17:837-852. [PMID: 37844017 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2023.2271836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is increasing evidence that also children can develop Long Covid. However, there are no specific reviews providing a clear description of reported respiratory symptoms and potential diagnostics. AREAS COVERED We performed on PubMed a systematic search of studies conducted on children aged less than 18 years with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection complaining about persistent respiratory symptoms; the aim of our review is to characterize the incidence, pattern and duration of respiratory symptoms after the acute infection in pediatric population. EXPERT OPINION Children can develop persisting respiratory symptoms, as documented by several follow-up studies both including or not control groups of non-infected children. However, the methodological variabilities of the analyzed studies does not allow to provide firm conclusions about the rate, type and best diagnostics for children with persistent respiratory symptoms. Future studies should investigate on larger pediatric cohorts the role of noninvasive diagnostics and new biomarkers as well as investigating therapeutic options both during acute infection or when Long Covid has been diagnosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Martino
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Morello
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina De Rose
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Centro di Salute Globale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
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8
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Rabady S, Hoffmann K, Aigner M, Altenberger J, Brose M, Costa U, Denk-Linnert DM, Gruber S, Götzinger F, Helbok R, Hüfner K, Koczulla R, Kurz K, Lamprecht B, Leis S, Löffler J, Müller CA, Rittmannsberger H, Rommer PS, Sator P, Strenger V, Struhal W, Untersmayr E, Vonbank K, Wancata J, Weber T, Wendler M, Zwick RH. [S1 guidelines for the management of postviral conditions using the example of post-COVID-19]. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2023; 135:525-598. [PMID: 37555900 PMCID: PMC10504206 DOI: 10.1007/s00508-023-02242-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
These S1 guidelines are an updated and expanded version of the S1 guidelines on long COVID differential diagnostic and management strategies. They summarize the state of knowledge on postviral conditions like long/post COVID at the time of writing. Due to the dynamic nature of knowledge development, they are intended to be "living guidelines". The focus is on practical applicability at the level of primary care, which is understood to be the appropriate place for initial access and for primary care and treatment. The guidelines provide recommendations on the course of treatment, differential diagnostics of the most common symptoms that can result from infections like with SARS-CoV-2, treatment options, patient management and care, reintegration and rehabilitation. The guidelines have been developed through an interdisciplinary and interprofessional process and provide recommendations on interfaces and possibilities for collaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Rabady
- Department Allgemeine Gesundheitsstudien, Kompetenzzentrum für Allgemein- und Familienmedizin, Karl Landsteiner Privatuniversität für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Dr. Karl-Dorrek-Str. 30, 3500, Krems, Österreich.
| | - Kathryn Hoffmann
- Leiterin der Abteilung Primary Care Medicine, Medizinische Universität Wien, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Wien, Österreich
| | - Martin Aigner
- Abteilung für Psychiatrie und psychotherapeutische Medizin, Karl Landsteiner Privatuniversität für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Dr. Karl-Dorrek-Str. 30, 3500, Krems, Österreich
| | - Johann Altenberger
- Pensionsversicherungsanstalt, Rehabilitationszentrum Großgmain, Salzburger Str. 520, 5084, Großgmain, Österreich
| | - Markus Brose
- Department Allgemeine Gesundheitsstudien, Kompetenzzentrum für Allgemein- und Familienmedizin, Karl Landsteiner Privatuniversität für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Dr. Karl-Dorrek-Str. 30, 3500, Krems, Österreich
| | - Ursula Costa
- Ergotherapie und Handlungswissenschaft, fhg - Zentrum für Gesundheitsberufe Tirol GmbH/fh, Innrain 98, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich
| | - Doris-Maria Denk-Linnert
- Klinische Abteilung für Allgemeine Hals‑, Nasen- und Ohrenkrankheiten, Klin. Abteilung Phoniatrie-Logopädie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Wien, Österreich
| | - Samuel Gruber
- Department Allgemeine Gesundheitsstudien, Kompetenzzentrum für Allgemein- und Familienmedizin, Karl Landsteiner Privatuniversität für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Dr. Karl-Dorrek-Str. 30, 3500, Krems, Österreich
| | - Florian Götzinger
- Abteilung für Kinderheilkunde, Klinik Ottakring, Montleartstr. 37, 1160, Wien, Österreich
| | - Raimund Helbok
- Universitätsklinik für Neurologie, Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, Standort Neuromed Campus & Med Campus Kepler Universitätsklinikum GmbH, 4020, Linz, Österreich
| | - Katharina Hüfner
- Dep. für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik und Medizinische Psychologie, Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie II, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich
| | - Rembert Koczulla
- Fachbereich Medizin, Klinik für Pneumologie Marburg, Baldingerstr., 35035, Marburg, Deutschland
| | - Katharina Kurz
- Innere Medizin II, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich
| | - Bernd Lamprecht
- Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin mit Schwerpunkt Pneumologie, Kepler Universitätsklinikum, 4020, Linz, Österreich
| | - Stefan Leis
- Universitätsklinik für Neurologie der PMU, MME Universitätsklinikum Salzburg Christian-Doppler-Klinik, Ignaz-Harrer-Str. 79, 5020, Salzburg, Österreich
| | - Judith Löffler
- Innere Medizin II, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich
| | - Christian A Müller
- Klinische Abteilung für Allgemeine Hals‑, Nasen- und Ohrenkrankheiten, Klin. Abteilung für Allgemeine HNO, Medizinische Universität Wien, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Wien, Österreich
| | | | - Paulus S Rommer
- Universitätsklinik für Neurologie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Wien, Österreich
| | - Paul Sator
- Dermatologische Abteilung, Klinik Hietzing, Wolkersbergenstr. 1, 1130, Wien, Österreich
| | - Volker Strenger
- Klinische Abteilung für Allgemeinpädiatrie, Universitätsklinik für Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde, Medizinische Universität Graz, 8036, Graz, Österreich
| | - Walter Struhal
- Klinische Abteilung für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Tulln, Karl Landsteiner Privatuniversität für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Alter Ziegelweg 10, 3430, Tulln an der Donau, Österreich
| | - Eva Untersmayr
- Institut für Pathophysiologie und Allergieforschung Zentrum für Pathophysiologie, Infektiologie und Immunologie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Wien, Österreich
| | - Karin Vonbank
- Klinische Abteilung für Pulmologie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Wien, Österreich
| | - Johannes Wancata
- Klinische Abteilung für Sozialpsychiatrie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Wien, Österreich
| | - Thomas Weber
- Kardiologische Abteilung Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen, Grieskirchnerstr. 42, 4600, Wels, Österreich
| | | | - Ralf-Harun Zwick
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rehabilitation Research, Kurbadstr. 14, 1100, Wien, Österreich
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9
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Karavanaki K, Rodolaki K, Soldatou A, Karanasios S, Kakleas K. Covid-19 infection in children and adolescents and its association with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1d) presentation and management. Endocrine 2023; 80:237-252. [PMID: 36462147 PMCID: PMC9734866 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-022-03266-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Children seem to be affected by the new SARS-CoV-2 virus less severely than adults, with better prognosis and low mortality. Serious complications of COVID-19 infection in children include multisystem inflammatory response syndrome in COVID-19 infection (MIS-C), myo-or pericarditis and, less frequently, long COVID syndrome. On the other hand, adults with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) are among the most vulnerable groups affected by COVID-19, with increased morbidity and mortality. Moreover, an association of SARS-CoV-2 with diabetes has been observed, possibly affecting the frequency and severity of the first clinical presentation of T1D or T2D, as well as the development of acute diabetes after COVID-19 infection. The present review summarizes the current data on the incidence of T1D among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as its severity. Moreover, it reports on the types of newly diagnosed diabetes after COVID infection and the possible pathogenetic mechanisms. Additionally, this study presents current data on the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on diabetes control in patients with known T1D and on the severity of clinical presentation of COVID infection in these patients. Finally, this review discusses the necessity of immunization against COVID 19 in children and adolescents with T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriaki Karavanaki
- Diabetes and Metabolism Unit, 2nd Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,"P&A Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Rodolaki
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,"Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandra Soldatou
- Diabetes and Metabolism Unit, 2nd Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,"P&A Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyridon Karanasios
- Diabetes and Metabolism Unit, 2nd Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,"P&A Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Kostas Kakleas
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,"Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
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10
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Asadullah MN, Bouhlila DS, Chan SJ, Draxler A, Ha W, Heyneman SP, Luschei TF, Semela T, Yemini M. A year of missed opportunity: Post-Covid learning loss - A renewed call to action. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2023; 99:102770. [PMID: 36987508 PMCID: PMC10036080 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Donia Smaali Bouhlila
- University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Economic Sciences and Management of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Alexandra Draxler
- Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Wei Ha
- Peking University, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Tesfaye Semela
- Hawassa University Institute of Policy and Development Research, Hawassa, Ethiopia
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11
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Leyshon A. Economic geography II: The economic geographies of the COVID-19 pandemic. PROGRESS IN HUMAN GEOGRAPHY 2023; 47:353-364. [PMID: 38603450 PMCID: PMC9988630 DOI: 10.1177/03091325231156926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
This is the second of three reports on economic geography. It focuses on research that addresses issues deemed to be both urgent and generative of crisis. This report focuses on the crisis created by the emergence of COVID-19. While the virus may have been novel, many of its implications were not, as several important processes of uneven development and inequality accelerated. The paper first determines the extent to which the emergence of a pandemic virus constituted a 'crisis', before examining some of the most salient economic geographical impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These include the rise of friction within the global economy resulting in significant disruption to global supply chains; the acceleration of the digital platform as an ever more dominant form of economic organisation; and how the pandemic deepened social inequalities and uneven development. The report concludes with observations about the emergence of what has been described as a post-pandemic polycrisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Leyshon
- School of Geography, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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12
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review describes recent findings about post-COVID condition (PCC, or Long COVID) in children, including current knowledge about its epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis and care. RECENT FINDINGS There is no internationally agreed definition of PCC, although now most researchers agree that it is a complex clinical symptomatology persisting for at least 3 months after COVID-19, without an alternative diagnosis. There are several uncertainties about paediatric PCC. So far, available literature suggest that 1-3% of recognized children with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome COronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may develop PCC. Its pathogenesis is unknown, although there is increasing evidence about possible abnormalities in the immune responses, cellular metabolism and intestinal microbiota, along with chronic endothelitis. SUMMARY Management of PCC in children is complex and require a multidisciplinary approach, with the goal of offering the best care possible to support diagnostics, research, mental health and access to research projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Morello
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS
| | - Laura Martino
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS
| | - Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS
- Centro di Salute Globale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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13
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N’dure Baboudóttir F, Jandi Z, Indjai B, Einarsdóttir J, Gunnlaugsson G. "Just Standing Still": A Qualitative Study on Adolescents' Experiences of School Closures Due to Emerging COVID-19 in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5265. [PMID: 37047881 PMCID: PMC10094378 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20075265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic affected the lives of children in a myriad of ways across the world. It exposed and aggravated existing inequalities between children within countries and across continents and hampered education. In Guinea-Bissau, school closure was one of the first restrictions implemented to confront the emerging pandemic. The aim was to describe and analyse the experiences of adolescents of school closures in the capital Bissau, their concerns about their future and manifestations of inequality. Data were collected by semi-structured, open-ended interviews with 30 adolescents aged 15-17 years three months into the pandemic during an enforced state of emergency. A thematic analysis identified five themes: appreciation of education, feeling left behind, being stuck in confinement, suggestions for support, and a disrupted future. The results highlight global rather than local inequalities in the demographic, manifested by a lack of targeted educational support for public and private school students; they knew about such efforts elsewhere. The school-attending participants suggested ways to mitigate disruptions in their education, while those out of school aiming to return saw their possibilities fading away. They appreciated education for personal and national benefits, and participants worried about the long-term effects of the pandemic. The study highlighted education loss for all and disrupted future expectations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatou N’dure Baboudóttir
- Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics, University of Iceland, IS-102 Reykjavik, Iceland; (F.N.B.); (J.E.)
| | - Zeca Jandi
- National Institute for Studies and Research (INEP), Avenida dos Combatentes da Liberdade da Pátria, Complexo Escolar 14 de Novembro, Bissau CP 112, Guinea-Bissau; (Z.J.); (B.I.)
| | - Bucar Indjai
- National Institute for Studies and Research (INEP), Avenida dos Combatentes da Liberdade da Pátria, Complexo Escolar 14 de Novembro, Bissau CP 112, Guinea-Bissau; (Z.J.); (B.I.)
| | - Jónína Einarsdóttir
- Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics, University of Iceland, IS-102 Reykjavik, Iceland; (F.N.B.); (J.E.)
| | - Geir Gunnlaugsson
- Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics, University of Iceland, IS-102 Reykjavik, Iceland; (F.N.B.); (J.E.)
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14
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Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of preschoolers: A parental guide. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14332. [PMID: 36974319 PMCID: PMC10028354 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Unexpected changes brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have affected humans worldwide. This review attempts to address major parental concerns about the development of preschool-aged children during the pandemic from the perspectives of neuropsychology, consultation, and motor development for preschoolers aged 2–5 years. Methods A total of 273 articles including original data, review articles, national and regional perspectives, government websites, and commentaries were considered in this review, of which 117 manuscripts were excluded because they were unrelated to children, adolescents, or COVID -19 pandemic/upper respiratory infections. A total of 156 manuscripts were included after reading the abstract and entire article. Results Telehealth could be an effective tool for addressing cognitive and emotional challenges that arise during the pandemic. Online consultations are highlighted for nutritional guidelines and to overcome problems that parents face when caring for children in difficult times. Outdoor activities using sanitisers, proper cleanliness, and following standard operating procedures are recommended. Parental preoccupation with media should be avoided. Interpretation: Many preschoolers show delays in reaching their developmental milestones, and the pandemic has increased parents' concerns, as access to practitioners is limited. Therefore, parents should be encouraged to undergo neuropsychological consultations whenever necessary. This study emphasises important strategies to ensure that children's development is minimally affected while staying in the confined environment of their homes. This study serves as a new guide for parents, as they raise young children in the new normal. Parents should undergo basic yearly physical, neuropsychological, nutritional, and speech checkups.
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15
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Follow-Up of Side Effects throughout the Entire Course of Coronavirus Vaccination. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11030704. [PMID: 36992288 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are considered the best protective means against coronavirus infection. There is increasing interest in reporting the side effects of vaccines, especially for individuals younger than 18 years old. Accordingly, this analytical cohort study aims to report on the side effects of adult and young individuals who received vaccination within 24 h, 72 h, 5 days, and 1 week through the entire course of vaccination (ECoV). A validated online survey was used to collect information. In total, 1069 individuals were completely followed. Most individuals received the Pfizer vaccine (59.6%). Most individuals had received two doses (69.4%). Very strong and statistically significant associations with side effects (p < 0.05, Phi (Φ) > 0.25) throughout the ECoV were reported for the type of vaccine and female gender. Non-smokers reported weak statistically significant associations. Fatigue and localized pain were the most commonly reported side effect, with onset within 24 h and duration of less than 72 h. The prevalence of reported side effects was statistically significantly higher among young individuals (<18 years old) than among adults (X2 (1) =7.6, p = 0.006. Phi φ = 0.11).
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16
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Hansen J, Galimov A, Unger JB, Sussman SY, Hanewinkel R. Mental Health and Physical Complaints of German Children and Adolescents before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20054478. [PMID: 36901485 PMCID: PMC10001698 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people's mental and physical health is of increasing concern. We examined the levels of internalizing and externalizing problem behavior and physical complaints before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Data came from a repeated cross-sectional study on child and youth health in schools in Germany. Assessments took place from November to February each year. Two data collections were conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2018-2019 and in 2019-2020. Collections during the pandemic took place in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. A total of 63,249 data observations were included in the analyses. Multilevel analyses were used to examine temporal trends in mean emotional problems (e.g., often unhappy, downhearted), hyperactivity-inattention (e.g., constantly fidgeting or squirming), conduct problems (e.g., fights with other children), and physical complaints. Models were adjusted for age, gender, school type, socioeconomic status, and sensation seeking. During the COVID-19 pandemic, children and adolescents in Germany experienced an increase in emotional problems from the pre-pandemic cohort 2019-2020 to the pandemic cohort 2021-2022 (β = 0.56, 95% CI (0.51-0.62)) and, over the course of the pandemic, reported elevated levels of physical complaints (β = 0.19, 95% CI (0.16-0.21)). Findings of increased emotional problems and physical complaints after the two years of the pandemic support the ongoing demand for low-threshold health promotion and prevention and the need for further monitoring of young people's health in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Hansen
- Institute for Therapy and Health Research, IFT-Nord, Harmsstraße 2, 24114 Kiel, Germany
| | - Artur Galimov
- Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jennifer B. Unger
- Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Steve Y. Sussman
- Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Reiner Hanewinkel
- Institute for Therapy and Health Research, IFT-Nord, Harmsstraße 2, 24114 Kiel, Germany
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17
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De Rose C, Sopo SM, Buonsenso D. Preventive therapy for childhood asthma and wheezing: Should we change our approach due to disrupted seasonality in viral circulation? Pediatr Pulmonol 2023; 58:959-962. [PMID: 36478418 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina De Rose
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Miceli Sopo
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Pediatric Allergy Unit, Pediatrics Section, Policlinico Gemelli Universitary Foundation IRCCS, Catholic University of Sacre Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Global Health Research Institute, Istituto di Igiene, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
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18
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Goretzki SC, Brasseler M, Dogan B, Hühne T, Bernard D, Schönecker A, Steindor M, Gangfuß A, Della Marina A, Felderhoff-Müser U, Dohna-Schwake C, Bruns N. High Prevalence of Alternative Diagnoses in Children and Adolescents with Suspected Long COVID-A Single Center Cohort Study. Viruses 2023; 15:579. [PMID: 36851793 PMCID: PMC9961131 DOI: 10.3390/v15020579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long COVID (LC) is a diagnosis that requires exclusion of alternative somatic and mental diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of differential diagnoses in suspected pediatric LC patients and assess whether adult LC symptom clusters are applicable to pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Pediatric presentations at the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Department of the University Hospital Essen (Germany) were assessed retrospectively. The correlation of initial symptoms and final diagnoses (LC versus other diseases or unclarified) was assessed. The sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values of adult LC symptom clusters were calculated. RESULTS Of 110 patients, 32 (29%) suffered from LC, 52 (47%) were diagnosed with alternative somatic/mental diseases, and 26 (23%) remained unclarified. Combined neurological and respiratory clusters displayed a sensitivity of 0.97 (95% CI 0.91-1.00) and a negative predictive value of 0.97 (0.92-1.00) for LC. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of alternative somatic and mental diseases in pediatric patients with suspected LC is high. The range of underlying diseases is wide, including chronic and potentially life-threatening conditions. Neurological and respiratory symptom clusters may help to identify patients that are unlikely to be suffering from LC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C. Goretzki
- Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care, Pediatric Infectiology, Pediatric Neurology, University Duisburg-Essen, Children’s Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences C-TNBS, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- West German Centre for Infectious Diseases (WZI), University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Maire Brasseler
- Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care, Pediatric Infectiology, Pediatric Neurology, University Duisburg-Essen, Children’s Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences C-TNBS, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- West German Centre for Infectious Diseases (WZI), University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Burcin Dogan
- Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care, Pediatric Infectiology, Pediatric Neurology, University Duisburg-Essen, Children’s Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- West German Centre for Infectious Diseases (WZI), University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Tom Hühne
- Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care, Pediatric Infectiology, Pediatric Neurology, University Duisburg-Essen, Children’s Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Daniel Bernard
- Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care, Pediatric Infectiology, Pediatric Neurology, University Duisburg-Essen, Children’s Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Anne Schönecker
- Department of Pediatrics III, Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, University Duisburg-Essen, Children’s Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Mathis Steindor
- Department of Pediatrics III, Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, University Duisburg-Essen, Children’s Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Andrea Gangfuß
- Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care, Pediatric Infectiology, Pediatric Neurology, University Duisburg-Essen, Children’s Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences C-TNBS, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Adela Della Marina
- Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care, Pediatric Infectiology, Pediatric Neurology, University Duisburg-Essen, Children’s Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences C-TNBS, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Ursula Felderhoff-Müser
- Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care, Pediatric Infectiology, Pediatric Neurology, University Duisburg-Essen, Children’s Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences C-TNBS, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Christian Dohna-Schwake
- Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care, Pediatric Infectiology, Pediatric Neurology, University Duisburg-Essen, Children’s Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences C-TNBS, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- West German Centre for Infectious Diseases (WZI), University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Nora Bruns
- Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care, Pediatric Infectiology, Pediatric Neurology, University Duisburg-Essen, Children’s Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences C-TNBS, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
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19
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Coma E, Català M, Méndez-Boo L, Alonso S, Hermosilla E, Alvarez-Lacalle E, Pino D, Medina M, Asso L, Gatell A, Bassat Q, Mas A, Soriano-Arandes A, Fina Avilés F, Prats C. Unravelling the role of the mandatory use of face covering masks for the control of SARS-CoV-2 in schools: a quasi-experimental study nested in a population-based cohort in Catalonia (Spain). Arch Dis Child 2023; 108:131-136. [PMID: 35999036 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2022-324172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of mandatory use of face covering masks (FCMs) in schools during the first term of the 2021-2022 academic year. DESIGN A retrospective population-based study. SETTING Schools in Catalonia (Spain). POPULATION 599 314 children aged 3-11 years attending preschool (3-5 years, without FCM mandate) and primary education (6-11 years, with FCM mandate). STUDY PERIOD From 13 September to 22 December 2021 (before Omicron variant). INTERVENTIONS A quasi-experimental comparison between children in the last grade of preschool (5 years old), as a control group, and children in year 1 of primary education (6 years old), as an interventional group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Incidence of SARS-CoV-2, secondary attack rates (SARs) and effective reproductive number (R*). RESULTS SARS-CoV-2 incidence was significantly lower in preschool than in primary education, and an increasing trend with age was observed. Six-year-old children showed higher incidence than 5 year olds (3.54% vs 3.1%; OR 1.15 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.22)) and slightly lower but not statistically significant SAR (4.36% vs 4.59%; incidence risk ratio 0.96 (95% CI 0.82 to 1.11)) and R* (0.9 vs 0.93; OR 0.96 (95% CI 0.87 to 1.09)). Results remained consistent using a regression discontinuity design and linear regression extrapolation approaches. CONCLUSIONS We found no significant differences in SARS-CoV-2 transmission due to FCM mandates in Catalonian schools. Instead, age was the most important factor in explaining the transmission risk for children attending school.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ermengol Coma
- Sistemes d'Informació dels Serveis d'Atenció Primària (SISAP), Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Martí Català
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Leonardo Méndez-Boo
- Sistemes d'Informació dels Serveis d'Atenció Primària (SISAP), Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sergio Alonso
- Department of Physics, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Eduardo Hermosilla
- Sistemes d'Informació dels Serveis d'Atenció Primària (SISAP), Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,IDIAP Jordi Gol, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Enric Alvarez-Lacalle
- Department of Physics, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - David Pino
- Department of Physics, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Manuel Medina
- Sistemes d'Informació dels Serveis d'Atenció Primària (SISAP), Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Laia Asso
- Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Anna Gatell
- Equip Pediatria Territorial Alt Penedès-Garraf, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Quique Bassat
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Manhica, Maputo, Mozambique.,Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.,Pediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Barcelona, Esplugues (Barcelona), Catalonia, Spain.,ICREA, Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ariadna Mas
- Direcció Assistencial d'Atenció Primària i a la Comunitat, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Antoni Soriano-Arandes
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunodeficiencies Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain .,Department of Infectious Diseases, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Francesc Fina Avilés
- Sistemes d'Informació dels Serveis d'Atenció Primària (SISAP), Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Clara Prats
- Department of Physics, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Richard V, Dumont R, Lorthe E, Loizeau A, Baysson H, Zaballa ME, Pennacchio F, Barbe RP, Posfay-Barbe KM, Guessous I, Stringhini S. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents: determinants and association with quality of life and mental health-a cross-sectional study. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2023; 17:17. [PMID: 36726179 PMCID: PMC9891202 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-023-00563-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The medium-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the wellbeing of children and adolescents remains unclear. More than 2 years into the pandemic, we aimed to quantify the frequency and determinants of having been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and estimate its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and mental health. METHODS Data was drawn from a population-based cohort of children and adolescents, recruited between December 2021 and June 2022, in Geneva, Switzerland. The Coronavirus impact scale was used to assess the multidimensional impact of the pandemic on children through parent's report. A score higher than one standard deviation above the mean was deemed a severe impact. Parents additionally reported about their offspring HRQoL and mental health with validated scales. Determinants of having been severely impacted were assessed with logistic models, as were the associations between having experienced a severe impact and poor HRQoL or mental health. RESULTS Out of 2101 participants aged 2-17, 12.7% had experienced a severe pandemic impact. Having a lasting health condition, a pandemic-related worsening of lifestyle habits or an unfavorable family environment were associated with having been severely impacted by the pandemic, while a previous anti-SARS-CoV-2 infection was not. Participants who had experienced a severe pandemic impact were more likely to present poor HRQoL (aOR = 3.1; 95% CI 2.3-4.4) and poor mental health (aOR = 3.9; 95% CI 2.5-6.2). CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic may have persistent consequences on the wellbeing of children and adolescents, especially among those with health and family vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Richard
- grid.150338.c0000 0001 0721 9812Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Jean-Violette 29, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Roxane Dumont
- grid.150338.c0000 0001 0721 9812Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Jean-Violette 29, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elsa Lorthe
- grid.150338.c0000 0001 0721 9812Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Jean-Violette 29, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Loizeau
- grid.150338.c0000 0001 0721 9812Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Jean-Violette 29, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Hélène Baysson
- grid.150338.c0000 0001 0721 9812Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Jean-Violette 29, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland ,grid.8591.50000 0001 2322 4988Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - María-Eugenia Zaballa
- grid.150338.c0000 0001 0721 9812Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Jean-Violette 29, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Pennacchio
- grid.150338.c0000 0001 0721 9812Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Jean-Violette 29, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rémy P. Barbe
- grid.150338.c0000 0001 0721 9812Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Woman, Child, and Adolescent Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Klara M. Posfay-Barbe
- grid.150338.c0000 0001 0721 9812Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Woman, Child, and Adolescent Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Idris Guessous
- grid.8591.50000 0001 2322 4988Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland ,grid.150338.c0000 0001 0721 9812Division and Department of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Stringhini
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Jean-Violette 29, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland. .,Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. .,University Center for General Medicine and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Rawat N, Kumar P. Interventions for improving indoor and outdoor air quality in and around schools. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159813. [PMID: 36411671 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Students spend nearly one third of their typical day in the school environment, where they may be exposed to harmful air pollutants. A consolidated knowledge base of interventions to reduce this exposure is required for making informed decisions on their implementation and wider uptake. We attempt to fill this knowledge gap by synthesising the existing scientific literature on different school-based air pollution exposure interventions, their efficiency, suitability, and limitations. We assessed technological (air purifiers, HVAC - Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning etc.), behavioural, physical barriers, structural, school-commute and policy and regulatory interventions. Studies suggest that the removal efficiency of air purifiers for PM2.5, PM10, PM1 and BC can be up to 57 %, 34 %, 70 % and 58 %, respectively, depending on the air purification technology compared with control levels in classroom. The HVAC system combined with high efficiency filters has BC, PM10 and PM2.5 removal efficiency up to 97 %, 34 % and 30 %, respectively. Citizen science campaigns are effective in reducing the indoor air pollutants' exposure up to 94 %. The concentration of PM10, NO2, O3, BC and PNC can be reduced by up to 60 %, 59 %, 16 %, 63 % and 77 %, respectively as compared to control conditions, by installing green infrastructure (GI) as a physical barrier. School commute interventions can reduce NO2 concentration by up to 23 %. The in-cabin concentration reduction of up to 77 % for PM2.5, 43 % for PNC, 89 % for BC, 74 % for PM10 and 75 % for NO2, along with 94 % reduction in tailpipe emission of total particles, can be achieved using clean fuels and retrofits. No stand-alone method is found as the absolute solution for controlling pollutants exposure, their combined application can be effective in most of the scenarios. More research is needed on assessing combined interventions, and their operational synchronisation for getting the optimum results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Rawat
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), School of Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Prashant Kumar
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), School of Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom.
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22
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Buonsenso D, Cusenza F, Passadore L, Bonanno F, De Guido C, Esposito S. Duration of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in children after natural infection or vaccination in the omicron and pre-omicron era: A systematic review of clinical and immunological studies. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1024924. [PMID: 36713374 PMCID: PMC9874918 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1024924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Duration of humoral and cellular memory in children previously infected SARS-CoV-2 or vaccinated and subsequent risk of reinfection is still not fully elucidated. Methods Systematic review of studies retrieved from medical databases and article reference lists. Results From 2420 identified articles, 24 met the inclusion criteria. Children infected during the pre-omicron era developed long lasting (at least 10-12 months) humoral and cellular immunity against pre-Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants, but have reduced in vitro cross-reactivity against Omicron. Conversely, although vaccination has a limited efficacy in preventing new infection with pre-Omicron and Omicron variants, in vitro studies suggested that vaccine-induced immunity provides better in vitro cross-neutralization against pre-Omicron and Omicron variants. Preprints published after the period of inclusion of our review suggested that overall risk of infection after Omicron infection is reduced, but children developed weak neutralizing responses in about half cases. Conclusions Available evidence, although limited, suggested a long-lasting but unperfect protection of previous infections or vaccination against pre-Omicron and Omicron variants. Based on our findings, it might be reasonable to offer families of children infected before Omicron a booster vaccination. A similar indication should be proposed also for those infected with Omicron, specifically for more fragile children at higher risk of COVID-19-related complications, based on better cross-variant neutralisation induced by vaccination. Systematic review registration PROSPERO, identifier ID 353189.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy,Centro di Salute Globale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy,*Correspondence: Danilo Buonsenso,
| | - Francesca Cusenza
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Passadore
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Francesca Bonanno
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Claudia De Guido
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Susanna Esposito
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Lau EYH, Li JB, Chan DKC. Children infected vs. uninfected with COVID-19: Differences in parent reports of the use of mobile phones to calm children, routines, parent-child relationship, and developmental outcomes. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1114597. [PMID: 37124810 PMCID: PMC10133475 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1114597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Children were suggested to be at lower risk of developing the severe form of the COVID-19. However, children infected with COVID-19 may be more likely to experience biopsychosocial stressors associated with the pandemic and display poorer developmental outcomes. The current study is among the first to compare children infected and uninfected with COVID-19 on outcomes related to parents' use of mobile phones to calm children, routines, parent-child relationship, externalizing and internalizing problems, prosocial behavior, gratitude, and happiness. A total of 1,187 parents (88.6% mothers) of children aged 5 to 12 completed an online survey between April 2022 and May 2022 when schools were suspended during the 5th wave of resurgence in Hong Kong. Our findings showed no substantial differences in various psychological, social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes between infected and uninfected children. Our findings can be used to educate parents to reduce their fear and anxieties associated with their children's COVID-19 infection. Our findings also suggested that support during the pandemic should be provided to children and families regardless of whether children have been infected with COVID-19.
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The spread of SARS-CoV-2 at school through the different pandemic waves: a population-based study in Italy. Eur J Pediatr 2023; 182:173-179. [PMID: 36266518 PMCID: PMC9589607 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-022-04654-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Proactive school closures are often considered an effective strategy by policy-makers and the public to limit SARS-CoV-2 transmission. While evidence on the role of students in the spread is debated, the effects of closures on children's well-being are well known. In the light of this, we aimed to assess viral spread in educational settings, by calculating the rate of secondary infections per school class and identifying factors associated with cluster generation. We conducted a combined longitudinal and cross-sectional population-based study between October 2020 and November 2021. Secondary screening was conducted whenever a SARS-CoV-2 positive subject had been in the school environment in 48 h prior to symptoms onset or on the date of swab, if asymptomatic. The effect of selected variables on COVID-19 cluster generation was assessed by logistic regression. We identified 1623 primary COVID-19 cases. Of these, 72.5% resulted in no secondary case, 15.6% in 1, and 11.9% in 2 + . The probability of generating a 2 + cluster was lower when the index case was a student, rather than school staff (AOR = 0.42; 95%CI: 0.29-0.60). The number of clusters per week was in line with COVID-19 incidence trend in the general population. CONCLUSIONS Index cases at school led to no secondary case in about three out of four times and only to a secondary case in about 15%. School environment does not facilitate viral spread, but rather reflects circulation in the community. Appropriate measures and timely monitoring of cases make school a safe place. Given the effects on children's learning and well-being, it is essential to favour school attendance over distance learning. WHAT IS KNOWN • During the COVID-19 pandemic, most European countries resorted to school closures to counter viral transmission. • Although the scientific debate on the suitability of school closures as a non-pharmaceutical intervention is still open and the role of school children in facilitating the spread of SARS-CoV-2 is not supported by unequivocal evidence, there is now a growing awareness of the impact on children's well-being. WHAT IS NEW • The contribution of educational settings and students in facilitating viral spread appears limited, as exposure to a positive individual in the school environment led to no secondary cases among students in 72% of cases and only one secondary case in about 15%. • The likelihood of generating school clusters was approximately halved when the index case was a student compared to teachers or other school personnel.
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Buonsenso D, Roland D, Yock-Corrales A, González-Dambrauskas S, Brodin P, Santiago-Garcia B, Soriano-Arandes A, Koenraads M, De Luca D, Whittaker E. The challenges of doing paediatric research during the first year of the covid-19 pandemic. BMJ 2022; 379:o2750. [PMID: 36379549 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.o2750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Center for Global Health Research and Studies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Damian Roland
- Sapphire Group, Health Sciences, Leicester University, Leicester, UK
- Paediatric Emergency Medicine Leicester Academic Group, Children's Emergency Department, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK
| | - Adriana Yock-Corrales
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Hospital Nacional de Niños "Dr Carlos Sáenz Herrera," San José, Costa Rica
| | - Sebastián González-Dambrauskas
- Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos Especializados, Casa de Galicia, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Red Colaborativa Pediátrica de Latinoamérica (LARed Network), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Petter Brodin
- Pediatric Rheumatology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Antoni Soriano-Arandes
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunodeficiencies Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Daniele De Luca
- Division of Paediatrics and Neonatal Critical Care, A Béclère Medical Centre, Paris Saclay University Hospitals, Paris, France
| | - Elizabeth Whittaker
- Department of Paediatrics, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, UK
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Abstract
This review provides updates on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children in Japan by summarizing published data. By the end of March 2022, Japan had experienced 6 waves of COVID-19 outbreaks. Over this time, the clinical features presented among children have changed in the context of the predominant variants. Although the COVID-19 pandemic affected children in terms of medical, physical and psychosocial aspects, the clinical outcomes have been favorable in Japan compared with those in some European countries and the United States, which may be partly due to a lower incidence of multisystem inflammatory syndromes in children and obesity. The COVID-19 vaccine has been available for children; however, the vaccination rate in children 5-11 years of age is lower than that in older children due to the government's lack of an active approach in this specific population. Further action is needed to improve the overall vaccination rates in children.
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SONG C, Sha GE, Yao W, YANG L. The Influence of Occupational Therapy on College Students' Home Physical Exercise Behavior and Mental Health Status under the Artificial Intelligence Technology. Occup Ther Int 2022; 2022:8074658. [PMID: 36133575 PMCID: PMC9481345 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8074658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The core of occupational therapy is to help patients with mental illness recover their social work, give play to their self-worth, obtain financial resources, and improve their self-confidence. Occupational therapy can help patients relieve symptoms and restore social function, reduce disease recurrence, and improve the reemployment rate and the overall health level of patients. In order to deeply excavate the inner connection between the mental health status and physical exercise status of college students, the physical exercise behavior of college students during home isolation is studied. First, the "physical exercise behavior questionnaire" and "symptom self-assessment scale" were used to investigate the physical exercise behavior and mental health status of college students. Second, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, independent sample t-test, and variance analysis were carried out on the survey results using mathematical statistics methods and big data technology. The survey results show high reliability, and the Cronbach's α coefficients were all greater than 0.9. There was a positive correlation between physical exercise methods and mental health in general, and the difference in the degree of exercise is significantly different from the mental health of students (p < 0.05). With the increase of exercise intensity, the score of "symptom self-assessment scale" first decreased and then increased, and the exercise intensity of medium and high intensity showed the best psychological state. And the correlation dimension of depression was the highest. This indicated that the students who liked family physical exercise were less likely to suffer from depression. In addition, depression was the most relevant dimension with self demand physical exercise, and interpersonal sensitivity was the most relevant dimension with social expansion physical exercise. The conclusion shows that the more active the students participate in family physical exercise, the healthier their mental state is. Occupational therapy has obvious curative effect on depression, which can improve patients' negative symptoms, their living ability, and social function. Meanwhile, analyzing data through big data technology reduces human workload and improves data processing efficiency and accuracy. The scheme proposed here provides some ideas for the application of big data technology in occupational therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao SONG
- College of Sports Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - G. E. Sha
- College of Sports Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Wanxiang Yao
- Department of Kinesiology, College for Health, Community and Policy, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Linhai YANG
- Physical Education Teaching and Research Section, Department of Basic Courses, Tianjin University of Commerce Boustead College, Tianjin 300384, China
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Obesity, Pregnancy and the Social Contract with Today’s Adolescents. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14173550. [PMID: 36079808 PMCID: PMC9459961 DOI: 10.3390/nu14173550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescent health and well-being are of great concern worldwide, and adolescents encounter particular challenges, vulnerabilities and constraints. The dual challenges of adolescent parenthood and obesity are of public health relevance because of the life-altering health and socioeconomic effects on both the parents and the offspring. Prevention and treatment strategies at the individual and population levels have not been successful in the long term, suggesting that adolescent pregnancy and obesity cannot be managed by more of the same. Here, we view adolescent obese pregnancy through the lens of the social contract with youth. The disruption of this contract is faced by today’s adolescents, with work, social and economic dilemmas which perpetuate socioeconomic and health inequities across generations. The lack of employment, education and social opportunities, together with obesogenic settings, increase vulnerability and exposure to lifelong health risks, affecting their offspring’s life chances too. To break such vicious circles of disadvantage and achieve sustainable solutions in real-world settings, strong efforts on the part of policymakers, healthcare providers and the community must be oriented towards guaranteeing equity and healthy nutrition and environments for today’s adolescents. The involvement of adolescents themselves in developing such programs is paramount, not only so that they feel a sense of agency but also to better meet their real life needs.
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Powell AA, Ireland G, Aiano F, Flood J, Amin-Chowdhury Z, Beckmann J, Garstang J, Okike I, Ahmad S, Ramsay ME, Ladhani SN, Baawuah F. Perceptions of adolescents on the COVID-19 pandemic and returning to school: qualitative questionnaire survey, September 2020, England. BMC Pediatr 2022; 22:456. [PMID: 35906588 PMCID: PMC9334543 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-022-03420-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the views of adolescents returning to secondary school during the current COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS In September 2020, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), formerly known as Public Health England (PHE),recruited staff and students in secondary schools to provide nasal swabs, oral fluid and blood samples for SARS-CoV-2 infection and antibody testing. Students aged 11-18 years in five London schools completed a short questionnaire about their perception of the pandemic, returning to school, risk to themselves and to others and infection control measures, and participating in school testing. RESULTS A questionnaire was completed by 64% (297/462) of participants. Students were generally not anxious at all (19.7%; 58/294) or not really anxious (40.0%; 114/295) about returning to school, although 5.4% (n = 16/295) were extremely nervous. Most students were very worried about transmitting the virus to their family (60.2%; 177/294) rather than to other students (22.0%; 65/296) or school staff (19.3%; 57/296), or catching the infection themselves (12.5%; 37/296). Students were more likely to maintain physical distancing in the presence of school staff (84.6%; 247/292) and in public places (79.5%; 233/293) but not when with other students (46.8%; 137/293) or friends (40.8%; 120/294). A greater proportion of younger students (school years 7-9; 11-14-year-olds) reported not being anxious at all than older students (school years 12-13; 16-18-year-olds) (47/174 [27.0%] vs 3/63 [4.8%]; p = 0.001). Younger students were also less likely to adhere to physical distancing measures and wear face masks. Most students reported positive experiences with SARS-CoV-2 testing in schools, with 92.3% (262/284) agreeing to have another blood test in future visits. CONCLUSIONS Younger students in secondary schools were less concerned about catching and transmitting SARS-CoV-2 and were less likely to adhere to protective measures. Greater awareness of the potential risks of SARS-CoV-2 transmission between secondary school students potentially leading to increased risk of infection in their teachers and their household members may increase adherence to infection control measures within and outside schools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabel A Powell
- Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division, UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Georgina Ireland
- Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division, UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Felicity Aiano
- Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division, UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Jessica Flood
- Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division, UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Zahin Amin-Chowdhury
- Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division, UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Joanne Beckmann
- Specialist Children & Young People's Services, East London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | | | - Shazaad Ahmad
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Mary E Ramsay
- Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division, UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Shamez N Ladhani
- Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division, UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London, NW9 5EQ, UK. .,Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St. George's University of London, London, UK.
| | - Frances Baawuah
- Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division, UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
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Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in K-12 Schools, British Columbia, Canada April to June 2021. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0062222. [PMID: 35862938 PMCID: PMC9430687 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00622-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There is concern that schools may be a setting where asymptomatic infections might result in significant “silent” transmission of SARS-CoV-2, particularly after the emergence of more transmissible variants of concern. After the programmatic implementation of a strategy of asymptomatic testing of close COVID-19 contacts as part of contact tracing in the school setting, the majority of the secondary cases were still found to have occurred in home or social contacts.
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Yock-Corrales A, Gomez-Vargas J, Ulloa-Gutierrez R, Brizuela M, Del Aguila O, Kozicki V, Lenzi J, Buonsenso D. Clinical Outcomes of Pediatric COVID-19 During Two Waves of Different Variants Circulation in Latin America. Indian J Pediatr 2022; 89:727. [PMID: 35244879 PMCID: PMC8895099 DOI: 10.1007/s12098-022-04113-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Yock-Corrales
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Hospital Nacional de Niños "Dr Carlos Sáenz Herrera", CCSS, San José, 957-1100, Costa Rica.
| | - Jessica Gomez-Vargas
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Hospital Nacional de Niños "Dr Carlos Sáenz Herrera", CCSS, San José, 957-1100, Costa Rica
| | - Rolando Ulloa-Gutierrez
- Infectious Disease Division, Hospital Nacional de Niños "Dr Carlos Sáenz Herrera", CCSS, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Martin Brizuela
- Pediatric Infectious Disease, Hospital Isidoro Iriarte, Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Olguita Del Aguila
- Unidad de Infectología Pediátrica del Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, Lima, Perú
| | - Verónica Kozicki
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jacopo Lenzi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli and Global Health Research Institute, Istituto Di Igiene, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
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Dewald F, Suárez I, Johnen R, Grossbach J, Moran-Tovar R, Steger G, Joachim A, Rubio GH, Fries M, Behr F, Kley J, Lingnau A, Kretschmer A, Gude C, Baeza-Flores G, Del Valle DL, Roblero-Hernandez A, Magana-Cerino J, Hernandez AT, Ruiz-Quinones J, Schega K, Linne V, Junker L, Wunsch M, Heger E, Knops E, Di Cristanziano V, Meyer M, Hünseler C, Weber LT, Lüers JC, Quade G, Wisplinghoff H, Tiemann C, Zotz R, Jomaa H, Pranada A, Herzum I, Cullen P, Schmitz FJ, Philipsen P, Kirchner G, Knabbe C, Hellmich M, Buess M, Wolff A, Kossow A, Niessen J, Jeworutzki S, Schräpler JP, Lässig M, Dötsch J, Fätkenheuer G, Kaiser R, Beyer A, Rybniker J, Klein F. Effective high-throughput RT-qPCR screening for SARS-CoV-2 infections in children. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3640. [PMID: 35752615 PMCID: PMC9233713 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30664-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Systematic SARS-CoV-2 testing is a valuable tool for infection control and surveillance. However, broad application of high sensitive RT-qPCR testing in children is often hampered due to unpleasant sample collection, limited RT-qPCR capacities and high costs. Here, we developed a high-throughput approach (‘Lolli-Method’) for SARS-CoV-2 detection in children, combining non-invasive sample collection with an RT-qPCR-pool testing strategy. SARS-CoV-2 infections were diagnosed with sensitivities of 100% and 93.9% when viral loads were >106 copies/ml and >103 copies/ml in corresponding Naso-/Oropharyngeal-swabs, respectively. For effective application of the Lolli-Method in schools and daycare facilities, SEIR-modeling indicated a preferred frequency of two tests per week. The developed test strategy was implemented in 3,700 schools and 698 daycare facilities in Germany, screening over 800,000 individuals twice per week. In a period of 3 months, 6,364 pool-RT-qPCRs tested positive (0.64%), ranging from 0.05% to 2.61% per week. Notably, infections correlated with local SARS-CoV-2 incidences and with a school social deprivation index. Moreover, in comparison with the alpha variant, statistical modeling revealed a 36.8% increase for multiple (≥2 children) infections per class following infections with the delta variant. We conclude that the Lolli-Method is a powerful tool for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance and can support infection control in schools and daycare facilities. Dewald et al. combine a non-invasive sampling approach (Lolli-Test) with an RT qPCR-pool testing strategy to screen for SARS-CoV-2 infections in children and use the method for surveillance and infection control in > 4000 school and daycare settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Dewald
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Isabelle Suárez
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Department I of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ronja Johnen
- CECAD Research center, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jan Grossbach
- CECAD Research center, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,CECAD Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Gertrud Steger
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexander Joachim
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gibran Horemheb Rubio
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Infectious Diseases Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubiran, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mira Fries
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Health department of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Florian Behr
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Health department of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Joao Kley
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Andreas Lingnau
- Ministry of Schools and Education of North Rhine-Westphalia, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alina Kretschmer
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Carina Gude
- CECAD Research center, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Guadelupe Baeza-Flores
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales y Emergentes, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad, Dr. Juan Graham Casasús, Villahermosa, Mexico
| | - David Laveaga Del Valle
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales y Emergentes, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad, Dr. Juan Graham Casasús, Villahermosa, Mexico
| | - Alberto Roblero-Hernandez
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales y Emergentes, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad, Dr. Juan Graham Casasús, Villahermosa, Mexico
| | - Jesus Magana-Cerino
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales y Emergentes, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad, Dr. Juan Graham Casasús, Villahermosa, Mexico
| | | | - Jesus Ruiz-Quinones
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales y Emergentes, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad, Dr. Juan Graham Casasús, Villahermosa, Mexico
| | | | - Viktoria Linne
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lena Junker
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marie Wunsch
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Eva Heger
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Elena Knops
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Veronica Di Cristanziano
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Meike Meyer
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christoph Hünseler
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lutz T Weber
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jan-Christoffer Lüers
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gustav Quade
- MVZ Labor Dr. Quade & Kollegen GmbH, Cologne, Germany
| | | | | | - Rainer Zotz
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine ZotzKlimas, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Department of Haemostasis, Haemotherapy and Transfusion Medicine, Heinrich Heine University Medical Centre, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Arthur Pranada
- Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum Dr. Eberhard & Partner, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Ileana Herzum
- Medizinische Laboratorien Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | - Paul Philipsen
- Labor Mönchengladbach MVZ Dr. Stein und Kollegen, Mönchengladbach, Germany
| | - Georg Kirchner
- Eurofins Laborbetriebsgesellschaft Gelsenkirchen GmbH & Eurofins MVZ Medizinisches Labor Gelsenkirchen GmbH, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
| | - Cornelius Knabbe
- Heart- and Diabetes Center NRW, Medical Faculty, Ruhr-University Bochum, Institute for Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Martin Hellmich
- Institute of Medical Statistics and Computational Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Anna Wolff
- Health department of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Annelene Kossow
- Health department of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Institute for Hygiene, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | | | - Jörg-Peter Schräpler
- Faculty of Social Science, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,German Socio Economic Panel Study (SOEP), Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Lässig
- Institute for Biological Physics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jörg Dötsch
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gerd Fätkenheuer
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Department I of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Rolf Kaiser
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Andreas Beyer
- CECAD Research center, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,CECAD Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Institute for Genetics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jan Rybniker
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Department I of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Florian Klein
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. .,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. .,German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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Woodland L, Hodson A, Webster RK, Amlôt R, Smith LE, Rubin J. A Qualitative Study Evaluating the Factors Affecting Families' Adherence to the First COVID-19 Lockdown in England Using the COM-B Model and TDF. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19127305. [PMID: 35742548 PMCID: PMC9223726 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The ability of families to adhere to public health guidance is critical to controlling a pandemic. We conducted qualitative interviews with 30 parents of children aged 18 and under, between 16 and 21 April 2020 when schools in England were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the Theoretical Domains Framework, we classified the factors that influenced adherence to seven non-pharmaceutical interventions. We found 40 factors that influenced a family’s ability to adhere. Parents generally indicated they could adhere and reported how their family had changed their behaviour to comply with the guidance. Parents primarily reported they were motivated to adhere out of concern for the health consequences of COVID-19, and because the guidance was delivered by the government. However, we found that reduced access to resources (e.g., technology, transport, and outside space) and social influences that encouraged non-adherent behaviour, decreased adherence. Furthermore, we suggest that families with low psychological and physical ability may face additional challenges to adherence and need to be supported. During future school closures, public health agencies should account for these factors when developing guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Woodland
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College London, NIHR Health Protection Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response, London SE5 9RJ, UK; (L.E.S.); (J.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ava Hodson
- Department of War Studies, King’s College London, NIHR Health Protection Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response, London WC2R 2LS, UK;
| | - Rebecca K. Webster
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2LT, UK;
| | - Richard Amlôt
- Behavioural Science and Insights Unit, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, NIHR Health Protection Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK;
| | - Louise E. Smith
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College London, NIHR Health Protection Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response, London SE5 9RJ, UK; (L.E.S.); (J.R.)
| | - James Rubin
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College London, NIHR Health Protection Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response, London SE5 9RJ, UK; (L.E.S.); (J.R.)
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Buonsenso D, Pujol FE, Munblit D, Pata D, McFarland S, Simpson FK. Clinical characteristics, activity levels and mental health problems in children with long coronavirus disease: a survey of 510 children. Future Microbiol 2022; 17:577-588. [PMID: 35360923 PMCID: PMC9248023 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2021-0285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Whether long coronavirus disease pertains to children as well is not yet clear. Methods: The authors performed a survey in children suffering from persistent symptoms since initial infection. A total of 510 children infected between January 2020 and January 2021 were included. Results: Symptoms such as fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, rashes and heart palpitations and issues such as lack of concentration and short-term memory problems were particularly frequent and confirm previous observations, suggesting that they may characterize this condition. Conclusion: A better comprehension of long coronavirus disease is urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Global Health Research Institute, Istituto di Igiene, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Daniel Munblit
- Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Child's Health, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Inflammation, Repair and Development Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Davide Pata
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy
- Global Health Research Institute, Istituto di Igiene, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
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35
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Ng DC, Tan KK, Chin L, Cheng XL, Vijayakulasingam T, Liew DWX, Zainol Abidin NZ, Lee ML, Ganasegeran K, Khoo EJ. Risk factors associated with household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. J Paediatr Child Health 2022; 58:769-773. [PMID: 34723402 PMCID: PMC8661798 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.15821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM Households are a significant venue for the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. We conducted a study to characterise the transmission dynamics and identify risk factors for household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. METHODS This retrospective observational study included 185 families of paediatric COVID-19 cases from 1 February 2020 to 31 December 2020. We identified the index case for each household and gathered the socio-demographic, epidemiological investigation results and risk factors for household transmission from medical case records. The secondary attack rate was calculated, and logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors associated with secondary household transmission of SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS Of the 848 household contacts, 466 acquired secondary infections, resulting in a secondary attack rate of 55%. The median age of the secondary cases was 12 years. Female household contacts and household contacts who slept in the same room with the index case were significantly associated with increased risk for COVID-19. Other independent risk factors associated with higher transmission risk in the household included an index case who was symptomatic, a household index case aged greater than 18 years and a male household index case. CONCLUSIONS High rates of household transmission of COVID-19 were found, indicating households were a major setting of transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Our data provide insight into the risk factors for household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Malaysia.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Chun‐Ern Ng
- Department of PediatricsHospital Tuanku Ja'afar SerembanSerembanMalaysia
| | - Kah Kee Tan
- Department of PediatricsPerdana University‐Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland School of MedicineSerembanMalaysia
| | - Ling Chin
- Department of PediatricsHospital Tuanku Ja'afar SerembanSerembanMalaysia
| | - Xiang Lin Cheng
- Department of PediatricsHospital Tuanku Ja'afar SerembanSerembanMalaysia
| | | | | | | | - Ming Lee Lee
- Department of PediatricsHospital Tuanku Ja'afar SerembanSerembanMalaysia
| | - Kurubaran Ganasegeran
- Clinical Research Centre, Seberang Jaya HospitalMinistry of Health MalaysiaPenangMalaysia
| | - Erwin Jiayuan Khoo
- Department of PediatricsInternational Medical UniversityKuala LumpurMalaysia
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36
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Buonsenso D, Valentini P, Macchi M, Folino F, Pensabene C, Patria MF, Agostoni C, Castaldi S, Lecce M, Giannì ML, Marchisio P, Milani GP. Caregivers' Attitudes Toward COVID-19 Vaccination in Children and Adolescents With a History of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:867968. [PMID: 35463893 PMCID: PMC9021633 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.867968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Limited data are available on the attitudes of caregivers toward COVID-19 vaccination in children and adolescents with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection or Long Covid symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the vaccine hesitancy among caregivers of children and adolescents with a documented history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and to explore the possible associations between COVID-19 manifestations and the acceptance of the vaccine. Methods Caregivers of children or adolescents with a microbiologically confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection evaluated in two University Hospitals were interviewed. Results We were able to contact 132 caregivers and 9 declined to participate. 68 caregivers (56%) were in favor of COVID-19 vaccination for their child. In the multiple logistic regression, child's age (OR 1.17, 95%CI 1.06-1.28) and hospitalization due to COVID-19 (OR 3.25, 95%CI 1.06-9.95) were positively associated with being in favor of COVID-19 vaccination. On the contrary, the occurrence of child's Long Covid was associated with a higher likelihood of being against the vaccination (OR 0.28, 95%CI 0.10-0.80). Conclusions This preliminary study shows that only about half of the interviewed parents of children and adolescents with a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection are willing to vaccinate them to prevent a repeated COVID-19 infection. These findings might help healthcare workers to provide tailored information to caregivers of children with a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, Rome, Italy
- Center for Global Health Research and Studies, Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Piero Valentini
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, Rome, Italy
- Center for Global Health Research and Studies, Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Macchi
- Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Folino
- Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Carola Pensabene
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pediatric Unit, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Agostoni
- Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pediatric Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvana Castaldi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Lecce
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Postgraduate School of Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Lorella Giannì
- Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Marchisio
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pediatric Unit, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Gregorio P. Milani
- Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pediatric Unit, Milan, Italy
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Camporesi A, Morello R, Ferro V, Pierantoni L, Rocca A, Lanari M, Trobia GL, Sciacca T, Bellinvia AG, De Ferrari A, Valentini P, Roland D, Buonsenso D. Epidemiology, Microbiology and Severity of Bronchiolitis in the First Post-Lockdown Cold Season in Three Different Geographical Areas in Italy: A Prospective, Observational Study. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9040491. [PMID: 35455535 PMCID: PMC9024462 DOI: 10.3390/children9040491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to understand the epidemiology, disease severity, and microbiology of bronchiolitis in Italy during the 2021–2022 cold season, outside of lockdowns. Before COVID-19, the usual bronchiolitis season in Italy would begin in November and end in April, peaking in February. We performed a prospective observational study in four referral pediatric centers located in different geographical areas in Italy (two in the north, one in the center and one in the south). From 1 July 2021 to 31 January 2022, we collected all new clinical diagnoses of bronchiolitis in children younger than two years of age recording demographic, clinical and microbiological data. A total of 657 children with a clinical diagnosis of bronchiolitis were enrolled; 56% children were admitted and 5.9% required PICU admission. The first cases were detected during the summer, peaking in November 2021 and declining into December 2021 with only a few cases detected in January 2022. RSV was the commonest etiological agent, while SARS-CoV-2 was rarely detected and only since the end of December 2021. Disease severity was similar in children with RSV vs. non-RSV bronchiolitis, and in those with a single infectious agent detected compared with children with co-infections. The 2021–2022 bronchiolitis season in Italy started and peaked earlier than the usual pre-pandemic seasons, but had a shorter duration. Importantly, the current bronchiolitis season was not more severe when data were compared with Italian published data, and SARS-CoV-2 was rarely a cause of bronchiolitis in children younger than 24 months of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Camporesi
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (A.C.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Rosa Morello
- Department of Woman and Child Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (P.V.)
| | - Valentina Ferro
- Department of Pediatric Emergency, Bambin Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Luca Pierantoni
- Pediatric Emergency Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (L.P.); (A.R.); (M.L.)
| | - Alessandro Rocca
- Pediatric Emergency Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (L.P.); (A.R.); (M.L.)
| | - Marcello Lanari
- Pediatric Emergency Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (L.P.); (A.R.); (M.L.)
| | - Gian Luca Trobia
- Pediatric and Pediatric Emergency Room Unit, Cannizzaro Emergency Hospital-Catania, 95126 Catania, Italy; (G.L.T.); (T.S.); (A.G.B.)
| | - Tiziana Sciacca
- Pediatric and Pediatric Emergency Room Unit, Cannizzaro Emergency Hospital-Catania, 95126 Catania, Italy; (G.L.T.); (T.S.); (A.G.B.)
| | - Agata Giuseppina Bellinvia
- Pediatric and Pediatric Emergency Room Unit, Cannizzaro Emergency Hospital-Catania, 95126 Catania, Italy; (G.L.T.); (T.S.); (A.G.B.)
| | - Alessandra De Ferrari
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (A.C.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Piero Valentini
- Department of Woman and Child Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (P.V.)
| | - Damian Roland
- Paediatric Emergency Medicine Leicester Academic (PEMLA) Group, Leicester Hospital, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK;
- Social science APPlied to Healthcare Improvement REsearch, SAPPHIRE Group, Health Sciences, Leicester University, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (P.V.)
- Center for Global Health Research Studies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-30154390
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38
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Buonsenso D, Gennaro LD, Rose CD, Morello R, D'Ilario F, Zampino G, Piazza M, Boner AL, Iraci C, O'Connell S, Cohen VB, Esposito S, Munblit D, Reena J, Sigfrid L, Valentini P. Long-term outcomes of pediatric infections: from traditional infectious diseases to long covid. Future Microbiol 2022; 17:551-571. [PMID: 35264003 PMCID: PMC8910780 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2022-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There is limited evidence available on the long-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. In this article, the authors analyze the recent evidence on pediatric long covid and lessons learnt from a pediatric post-covid unit in Rome, Italy. To gain a better understanding of the concerns raised by parents and physicians in relation to the potential long-term consequences of this novel infection, it is important to recognize that long-term effect of a post-infectious disease is not a new phenomenon. The authors analyze the recent evidence on pediatric long covid and lessons learnt from a pediatric post-covid unit in Rome, Italy. Also, we analyze the long-term effects of other infectious diseases. An analysis of the recent evidence on pediatric long covid and lessons learnt from a pediatric post-covid unit in Rome, Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman & Child Health & Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Center for Global Health Research & Studies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Leonardo Di Gennaro
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Hemorrhagic & Thrombotic Diseases Center, Oncological Radiotherapy, & Hematology, Foundation 'A Gemelli' IRCCS University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina De Rose
- Department of Woman & Child Health & Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Morello
- Department of Woman & Child Health & Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico D'Ilario
- Department of Woman & Child Health & Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Zampino
- Department of Woman & Child Health & Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Piazza
- Pediatric Section, Department of Surgery, Dentistry, pediatrics, & Gynaecology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Attilio L Boner
- Pediatric Section, Department of Surgery, Dentistry, pediatrics, & Gynaecology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | | | - Valentina B Cohen
- Patient author, member of the CAC Community Advisory Council of Solve ME/CFS Initiative, Pietro Barilla Children's Hospital, Department of Medicine & Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, Parma, 43126, Italy
| | - Susanna Esposito
- Pietro Barilla Children's Hospital, Department of Medicine & Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, Parma, 43126, Italy
| | - Daniel Munblit
- Department of pediatrics & pediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Child's Health, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Joseph Reena
- MSc Immunology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Louise Sigfrid
- ISARIC Global Support Centre, Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Piero Valentini
- Department of Woman & Child Health & Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Odd D, Stoianova S, Williams T, Fleming P, Luyt K. Child mortality in England during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Arch Dis Child 2022; 107:e22. [PMID: 34872905 PMCID: PMC8662663 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2021-323370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To quantify the relative risk (RR) of childhood deaths across the whole of England during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, compared with a similar period of 2019. DESIGN This work is based on data collected by the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD). Deaths from 1 April 2020 until 31 March 2021 (2020-2021) were compared with those from the same period of 2019-2020. RR and excess mortality were derived for deaths in 2020-2021 vs 2019-2020. SETTING All deaths reported to NCMD in England of children under 18 years of age, between April 2019 and March 2021. PARTICIPANTS 6490 deaths of children, under the age of 18 years, reported to the NCMD over the study period. RESULTS Children had similar demographics in the 2 years. There were 356 (198-514) fewer deaths in 2020-2021 than in 2019-2020 (RR 0.90 (0.85 to 0.94), p<0.001). Deaths from infection (RR 0.49 (0.38 to 0.64)) and from other underlying medical conditions (RR 0.75 (0.68 to 0.82)) were lower in 2020-2021 than 2019-2020, and weak evidence (RR 0.50 (0.23 to 1.07), p=0.074) that this was also true of deaths from substance abuse. CONCLUSIONS Childhood mortality in England during the first year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was lower than expected, with over 300 fewer deaths than the preceding 12 months. The greatest reduction was in children less than 10 years old. It is important that we learn from this effect that potentially offers alternative ways to improve the outcome for the most vulnerable children in our society.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Odd
- Population Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK,National Child Mortality Database, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Sylvia Stoianova
- National Child Mortality Database, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Tom Williams
- National Child Mortality Database, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Peter Fleming
- National Child Mortality Database, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK,Centre for Academic Child Health, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Karen Luyt
- National Child Mortality Database, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK .,Centre for Academic Child Health, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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40
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See KC, Tan LP, Ong LT, Lee PY. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of children with COVID-19 in Selangor, Malaysia. IJID REGIONS 2022; 2:63-69. [PMID: 35721419 PMCID: PMC8645283 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2021.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 was a mild disease in the children of Selangor, Malaysia in 2020. Most children did not require any treatment and all children were discharged well from the hospital. A lower white blood cell count, absolute lymphocyte count, and absolute neutrophil count, as well as raised C-reactive protein and aspartate aminotransferase were more frequent in symptomatic children than in asymptomatic children. Few adult caretakers were infected during their children's hospital quarantine.
Objective To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of children diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at Hospital Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia. Methods A retrospective observational study was performed on children aged <12 years diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection between January 25 and December 31, 2020. A comparative analysis was undertaken between asymptomatic and symptomatic children, as well as a sub-analysis of their caretakers’ COVID-19 status. Results A total of 1498 children were included, 48.7% female and 51.3% male. Their mean age was 5.6 years (standard deviation 3.5 years). Overall, 82.3% were detected through contact tracing of positive family members or from the same household. Fifty-seven percent were asymptomatic. The most common symptoms reported were fever, nasal congestion/rhinorrhoea, and cough. Compared to asymptomatic children, those who were symptomatic had higher reported comorbidities, lower total white blood cell (WBC), absolute lymphocyte, and absolute neutrophil counts, raised C-reactive protein (CRP), and raised aspartate transaminase (P < 0.05). The median duration of illness was 10 days (interquartile range 3 days). Overall outcomes were good. Only 19 (8.2%) negative caretakers seroconverted prior to discharge. Conclusions The majority of the children in the State of Selangor experienced mild COVID-19 illness in 2020, and they did not appear to be key drivers in the transmission of the disease.
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41
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Racial and Ethnic Diversity in SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Clinical Trials Conducted in the United States. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020290. [PMID: 35214748 PMCID: PMC8875029 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence shows that White and non-Hispanic individuals are overrepresented in clinical trials. The development of new vaccines and drugs, however, necessitates that clinical research trials include representative participants, particularly in light of evidence showing that underrepresented minorities may have a different response to certain medications and vaccines. Racial and ethnic disparities among clinical trials are multilayered and complex, and this requires action. The results of this study indicate that significant racial and ethnic disparities consistently exist among the most recent early SARS-CoV-2 vaccine clinical trials as compared to the pandemic H1N1 vaccine clinical trials of 2009. New strategies, policies, training programs, and reforms are required to address these disparities among clinical trials.
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42
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Lanziotti VS, Bulut Y, Buonsenso D, Gonzalez‐Dambrauskas S. Vaccine apartheid: This is not the way to end the pandemic. J Paediatr Child Health 2022; 58:228-231. [PMID: 34674333 PMCID: PMC8662126 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.15805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
There are many reasons why the international community as a whole should advocate for COVID-19 vaccine equity: global economic recession, uncontrolled outbreaks with higher risk of virus variants and persistent unsafe travelling in an era of now vaccine-preventable cause of death. This inequity is an avoidable threat to global health. Funding agencies, policy makers, drug companies and NGOs among others have the moral duty to end this vaccine apartheid and to make vaccine equity a reality. In this viewpoint, we discuss how inequalities in vaccination access affect a proper control of the pandemic, highlighting specific consequences on child health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa S Lanziotti
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Research and Education Division/Maternal and Child Health Postgraduate ProgramFederal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)Rio de JaneiroBrazil
| | - Yonca Bulut
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of PediatricsDavid Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUnited States
| | - Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public HealthFondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSRomeItaly,Department of Biotechnological SciencesCatholic University of RomeRomeItaly,Center for Global Health Research and StudiesUniversità Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRomeItaly
| | - Sebastian Gonzalez‐Dambrauskas
- Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos Especializados (CIPe)Casa de GaliciaMontevideoUruguay,Red Colaborativa Pediátrica de Latinoamérica (LARed Network)MontevideoUruguay
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43
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Friedman N, Levy N, Kaplan O, Padeh G, Krupik D, Jacob R, Gamsu S, Weiser G, Cohen NK, Schnapp Z, Cohen N, Feldman O, Porat D, Gal M, Gleyzer A, Capua T, Klein A, Sharkansky L, Shilo S, Grotto I, Kozer E, Shavit I. Pediatric Hospitalizations after School Reopening during the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha (B.1.1.7) Variant Spread: A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study in Israel. Clin Infect Dis 2022; 75:e300-e302. [PMID: 35092684 PMCID: PMC8807310 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
This multicenter, cross-sectional study provides evidence on SARS-CoV-2-associated ED visits and hospitalizations in pediatric wards and intensive care units, after school reopening during the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant spread in Israel. Study findings suggest that school reopening was not followed by an increase in SARS-CoV-2-related pediatric morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nir Friedman
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Nitai Levy
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Or Kaplan
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Soroka Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Gabi Padeh
- Emergency Department, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Danna Krupik
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Ziv Medical Centre, Safed, Israel
| | - Ron Jacob
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Ha'Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | - Shirly Gamsu
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Shamir Medical Center, Beer Yaakov, Israel
| | - Giora Weiser
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Zeev Schnapp
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
| | - Noy Cohen
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Samson Assuta University Hospital, Ashdod, Israel
| | - Oren Feldman
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Danit Porat
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
| | - Moran Gal
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Alexandra Gleyzer
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center, Bnei Brak, Israel
| | - Tali Capua
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Adi Klein
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel
| | - Livnat Sharkansky
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
| | - Smadar Shilo
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Itamar Grotto
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Eran Kozer
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Shamir Medical Center, Beer Yaakov, Israel
| | - Itai Shavit
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
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44
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Mental Health and Wellbeing in Young People in the UK during Lockdown (COVID-19). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031132. [PMID: 35162165 PMCID: PMC8834421 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the levels of mental wellbeing and potential for clinical need in a sample of UK university students aged 18–25 during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also tested the dose-response relationship between the severity of lockdown restrictions and mental wellbeing. We carried out a prospective shortitudinal study (one month between baseline and follow up) during the pandemic to do this and included 389 young people. We measured a range of facets of mental wellbeing, including depression, depressogenic cognition (rumination), wellbeing, stress and sleep disturbance. Our primary outcome was ‘probable depression’ as indexed by a score of ≥10 on the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-8). The prevalence of probable depression was significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels (55%) and did not decrease significantly over time (52%). Higher levels of lockdown severity were prospectively associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. Nearly all students had at least one mental wellbeing concern at either time point (97%). The evidence suggests that lockdown has caused a wellbeing crisis in young people. The associated long-term mental, social, educational, personal and societal costs are as yet unknown but should be tracked using further longitudinal studies.
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45
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Spadafora N, Reid-Westoby C, Pottruff M, Wang J, Janus M. From Full Day Learning to 30 Minutes a Day: A Descriptive Study of Early Learning During the First COVID-19 Pandemic School Shutdown in Ontario. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION JOURNAL 2022; 51:287-299. [PMID: 35068918 PMCID: PMC8761377 DOI: 10.1007/s10643-021-01304-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March 2020, the lives of families all over the world were disrupted. Many adults found themselves working from home while their children were unable to go to school. To better understand the potential impact of these educational disruptions, it is important to establish what learning looked like during the first school shutdown in the spring of 2020, particularly for the youngest learners who may feel the longest lasting impacts from this pandemic. Therefore, the purpose of the current descriptive study was to gather information on how kindergarten teaching and learning occurred during this time, what the biggest barriers were, and what concerns educators had regarding returning in person to the classroom setting. The sample for the current study was 2569 kindergarten educators (97.6% female; 74.2% teachers, 25.8% early childhood educators) in Ontario, Canada. Participants completed a questionnaire consisting of both quantitative scales and qualitative open-ended questions. Educators reported that parents most often contacted them regarding technological issues or how to effectively support their child. The largest barrier to learning was the ability of both parents and educators to balance work, home life, and online learning/teaching. With regards to returning to school, educators were most concerned about the lack of ability of kindergarten aged children to do tasks independently and to follow safety protocols. Our findings highlight unique challenges associated with teaching kindergarten during the pandemic, contributing to our understanding of the learning that occurred in Ontario during the first COVID-19 shutdown. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10643-021-01304-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Spadafora
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, McMaster Innovation Park, Suite 201A, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1 Canada
| | - Caroline Reid-Westoby
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, McMaster Innovation Park, Suite 201A, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1 Canada
| | - Molly Pottruff
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, McMaster Innovation Park, Suite 201A, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1 Canada
| | - Jade Wang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, McMaster Innovation Park, Suite 201A, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1 Canada
| | - Magdalena Janus
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, McMaster Innovation Park, Suite 201A, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1 Canada
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46
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Binns E, Koenraads M, Hristeva L, Flamant A, Baier-Grabner S, Loi M, Lempainen J, Osterheld E, Ramly B, Chakakala-Chaziya J, Enaganthi N, Simó Nebot S, Buonsenso D. Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus during the COVID-19 pandemic: Time for a new paradigm? Pediatr Pulmonol 2022; 57:38-42. [PMID: 34644459 PMCID: PMC8662286 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.25719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Seasonal epidemics of influenza and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are the cause of substantial morbidity and mortality among children. During the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the epidemiology of these viruses seems to have changed dramatically. In Australia and New Zealand, a significant decrease in both influenza and bronchiolitis have been noticed during usual peak seasons. Data from early months of winter seasons in Europe are showing similar trends. This current scenario imposes a reconsideration of the paradigm that toddlers and young schoolchildren are the main drivers of seasonal RSV outbreaks and respiratory epidemics in general. In this article, we summarize current literature, address current knowledge or role of adults in the RSV epidemiology, describe the lessons learned from pertussis epidemics and call the international community to better understand the community transmission dynamics of respiratory infections in all age groups. This can allow the establishment of better and more affordable preventive measures in the whole population level, which can ultimately save millions of child lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Binns
- Department of Paediatrics, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Alix Flamant
- Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sebastian Baier-Grabner
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Klinik Ottakring, Vienna Healthcare Group, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mervin Loi
- Children's Intensive Care Unit, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Johanna Lempainen
- Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Biomedicine and Clinical Microbiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Elise Osterheld
- Department of Paediatrics, Centre Hospitalier de Mayotte, Mayotte, France
| | - Bazlin Ramly
- Paediatric Department, Children Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Paediatric Department, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh, Malaysia
| | | | - Niveditha Enaganthi
- Paediatric Department, Sri Ramachandra Medical College & RI, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Silvia Simó Nebot
- Infectious Diseases and Systemic Inflammatory Response in Paediatrics, Infectious Diseases Unit, Sant Joan de Déu Hospital Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Global Health Research Institute, Istituto di Igiene, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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47
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Buonsenso D, Fusco C, De Rose C, Valentini P, Vergari J. Long COVID in children: Partnerships between families and paediatricians are a priority for better care. J Paediatr Child Health 2022; 58:201-202. [PMID: 34060675 PMCID: PMC8242393 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.15600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public HealthFondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSRomeItaly,Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di BaseCliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRomeItaly,Global Health Research InstituteIstituto di Igiene, Università Cattolica del Sacro CuoreRomeItaly
| | | | - Cristina De Rose
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public HealthFondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSRomeItaly
| | - Piero Valentini
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public HealthFondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCSRomeItaly
| | - Jacopo Vergari
- Zeta, Journal of the Master of Journalism and CommunicationLUISS UniversityRomeItaly
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48
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Rowland LC, Klinkhammer MD, Ramirez DW. Dynamic Masking: A Proposal of Burden-Based Metrics for Masking in K-12 Schools During the COVID-19 Pandemic. THE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH 2022; 92:11-19. [PMID: 34750833 PMCID: PMC8661880 DOI: 10.1111/josh.13099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ongoing masking of K-12 children has not been universally accepted despite recommendation from public health authorities. In states without universal mask mandates for schools, district administrators are forced to make masking decisions under significant local political pressures. There is a call for endpoints to masking to allow communities to tailor mitigation while keeping schools safe, focusing on harm reduction. METHODS We reviewed existing measures for the safe opening of schools and designed a stepwise, accessible approach to the removal of masks in the K-12 setting. RESULTS Focusing first on the assessment of school impact due to COVID-19 disease and then considering the context of existing community transmission levels allows for a metrics-based approach to masking that is flexible and practical, enabling school officials to adapt quickly to the pandemic landscape in their communities, independent of political pressures. CONCLUSIONS While this proposal is preliminary, a dynamic metric system for masking may encourage those communities who wish to minimize masking to adopt masks during highest risk periods, protecting against SARS-CoV-2 transmission in schools and allowing for more holistic harm reduction. This approach may serve to guide districts during times of uncertainty when central guidance short of universal masking is lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah C. Rowland
- Department of PediatricsChildren's Hospital of The King's Daughters, Eastern Virginia Medical SchoolNorfolkVAUSA
| | | | - Dana W.E. Ramirez
- Pediatric Emergency MedicineChildren's Hospital of The King's DaughtersNorfolkVAUSA
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49
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POZZOBON ALLANPB, PETRY ANAC, ZILBERBERG CARLA, BARROS CINTIAMDE, NEPOMUCENO-SILVA JOSÉL, FEITOSA NATÁLIAM, GOMES NETO LUPISR, RODRIGUES BRUNOC, BRINDEIRO RODRIGOM, NOCCHI KEITYJAQUELINEC, MURY FLAVIAB, SOUZA-MENEZES JACKSONDE, SILVA MANUELALDA, MEDEIROS MARCIOJOSÉDE, GESTINARI RAQUELS, ALVARENGA ALESSANDRASDE, SILVA CARINAA, SANTOS DANIELEGDOS, SILVESTRE DIEGOHENRIQUE, SOUSA GRAZIELEFDE, ALMEIDA JANIMAYRIFDE, SILVA JHENIFERNDA, BRANDÃO LAYZAM, DRUMMOND LEANDROO, CARPES RAPHAELM, SANTOS RENATACDOS, PORTAL TAYNANM, TANURI AMILCAR, NUNES-DA-FONSECA RODRIGO. Schools reopening and the COVID-19 pandemic: a case study from Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2022; 94:e20211361. [DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202220211361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - ANA C. PETRY
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil
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50
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Mariani F, Valentini P, Yamba M, Turay AS, Bulubisi H, Moscato U, Raffaelli F, Iodice F, Buonsenso D. Changes in Childhood Immunizations and Intermittent Preventive Malaria Treatment in a Peripheral, Referral Immunization Center During the First 12 Months of COVID-19 Pandemic in Sierra Leone, Western Africa. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:774281. [PMID: 35425724 PMCID: PMC9002134 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.774281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is increasing evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted childhood immunization services. However, detailed reports on immunizations and preventive antimalarial prophylactic treatments delivered and how the trends changed in referral centers in low-income countries are still missing. METHODS We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study. Data for vaccinations administered to children <5 years of age, according to the local vaccination schedule, were extracted from the official records of the Kent Community Health Post, Sierra Leone, in the period between April 2019 and March 2021. We compared the vaccinations performed in the first year, considered as a pre-Covid period, with the second year, post-Covid period. Both the period was then divided in four trimester each and the same analysis was operated for each trimester. A Chi-square goodness of fit test was performed to compare the number of vaccinations performed both in the 2 years and in the 8 trimesters. FINDINGS Seven thousand two hundred and eighty-three vaccinations were administered: 4,641 in the period between April 2019 and March 2020 and 2,642 between April 2020 and March 2021. The drop in immunizations performed began as soon as the first cases were described in China. The drops were statistically significant when the first three trimesters of the two study periods were compared, while no statistically significant differences were observed for all the vaccines performed in the 4th trimesters. Vaccines administered at birth (BCG) were less affected compared to booster vaccinations. CONCLUSIONS Immunizations administered in a referral health center in Sierra Leone significantly declined during the pandemic. Although the decline was less pronounced in the last months of the pandemic, we don't think that the small increase would indicate the recovery of previously missed vaccinations. These findings open new public health challenges for the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Mariani
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy
| | - Piero Valentini
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy.,Center for Global Health Research and Studies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Matilda Yamba
- Bureh Town Community Health Center, Bureh Town, Sierra Leone
| | | | - Hazel Bulubisi
- Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Umberto Moscato
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy.,Center for Global Health Research and Studies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Raffaelli
- Dipartimento Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Iodice
- Bureh Town Community Health Center, Bureh Town, Sierra Leone.,Neurology Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico S San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy
| | - Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy.,Center for Global Health Research and Studies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Bureh Town Community Health Center, Bureh Town, Sierra Leone.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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