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Alshehri SS, Minhaji BI, Pasha MR, Fouda D, Joseph J, Ahmed N. Characteristics and Outcomes of Children With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection Admitted to a Quaternary Hospital: A Single-Center Experience. Cureus 2024; 16:e52532. [PMID: 38371066 PMCID: PMC10870100 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives In the setting of the recent global pandemic, children infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presented to our hospital with a variety of symptoms ranging from mild to severe disease including multiorgan dysfunction. Our objective was to study the clinical profile, risk factors, complications, and outcomes in pediatric patients admitted to our center with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods This retrospective observational study was conducted at a large quaternary center in Riyadh between May 2020 and September 2021. The study population was comprised of children between 0 and ≤14 years with SARS-CoV-2 suspicion or positivity. Results One hundred and fifty-six children were included in the study, the majority of whom were 1-10 years old. One hundred and twenty of them (76.93%) were SARS-CoV-2 positive. Fifty-nine patients (37.18%) were labelled as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) based on clinical and lab criteria, of whom 35 (22.44%) tested SARS-CoV-2 positive. Hematological disease was found to be the most common comorbidity, followed by neurological and chronic lung diseases. The most common symptoms encountered were fever, cough, vomiting, fatigue, and diarrhea. Eighty patients (51%) required pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission (length of stay: 5-12 days), among whom 32 (40%) required ventilation, 26 (32.5%) needed hemodynamic support, and three patients (3.75%) underwent continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). The overall mortality rate was 4.5% (seven patients) among the studied population. The most frequent lab abnormalities were found to be elevated serum ferritin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Ninety-one percent received antibiotics, and prophylactic anticoagulant was used in 32%. In the MIS-C subset, 80.5% received steroids, 71.43% intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and 5.17% (three patients) tocilizumab. Conclusion The SARS-CoV-2 infection presented with a range of severity among our cohort of children; however, most of the patients responded well to appropriate supportive treatment. A slight male preponderance was noted. The most common symptoms encountered were fever, cough, vomiting, fatigue, and diarrhea. Inflammatory markers such as ESR, CRP, serum ferritin, and LDH levels were found to be elevated in nearly all patients. Raised serum lactate and serum creatinine and lymphopenia were of significant note in patients with MIS-C. Higher mortality rates were observed in patients with MIS-C and those requiring respiratory support. In addition to these two factors, the presence of comorbidities and the need for CRRT were associated with prolonged PICU length of stay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleh S Alshehri
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Bushra I Minhaji
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Mohsina R Pasha
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Dina Fouda
- Pharmaceutical Care Services, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Jency Joseph
- Nursing Administration, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Nehad Ahmed
- Clinical Pharmacy, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, SAU
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Al-Shamrani A, Al-Shamrani K, Al-Otaibi M, Alenazi A, Aldosaimani H, Aldhalaan Z, Alalkami H, Yousef AA, Kobeisy S, Alharbi S. Residual Cough and Asthma-like Symptoms Post-COVID-19 in Children. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1031. [PMID: 37371263 DOI: 10.3390/children10061031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide and is characterized by different presentations ranging from asymptomatic to severe pneumonia. COVID-19 affects all age groups, including pediatric patients. We observed numerous children complaining of a cough post-COVID-19, even if it was trivial. The most reported persistent symptoms after recovery from COVID-19 were insomnia, coughing, fatigue, dyspnea, loss of taste and/or smell, and headache. To date, residual cough post-COVID-19 has been reported in pediatrics and adolescents. METHOD we conducted a retrospective study, with a self-administered questionnaire by the patient or caregiver, 12 months post-COVID-19-infection. RESULT A total of 94.8% of patients were Saudi citizens and were mainly from the southern region of Saudi Arabia (50.0%). Mothers (64.4%) submitted most of the results. The ages were as follows: 6-14 years (51.0%), 3-5 years (32.3%), and younger than 2 years of age (only 16.7%). Females accounted for 41.7% of those studied. Nearly half of the patients (48.5%) had had a previous COVID-19 infection in 2022, with only 2.1% infected in 2019. Only 27/194 (13.9%) patients required hospital admission, and 7 of them (4.2%) required intensive care treatment. A total of 179 (92.2%) patients still reported persistent symptoms 4 weeks post-COVID-19-infection. A cough was reported in 69.8% of patients, followed by cough and wheezing in 12.3%. The cough was described as dry in 78.0% and nocturnal in 54.1%, while 42.5% did not notice any diurnal variation. For those reporting residual cough, 39.3% found that it affected school attendance and daily activities, 31.1% reported associated chest pain, 51.9% associated it with wheezing, and 27.1% associated it with shortness of breath. For 54.4%, the residual cough lasted less than one month, while 31.4% reported a 1-2 month duration. Only 1.0% had a duration of cough of more than 3 months. For cough relief, 28.2% used bronchodilators, 19.9% used cough syrup, 16.6% used a combination of bronchodilators and steroid inhalers, and 1.7% used antibiotics. Surprisingly, 33% attempted herbal remedies for cough relief. Sesame oil was used the most (40.0%), followed by a mixture of olive oil and sesame oil (25.0%), and 21.7% used male frankincense. The majority (78.4%) sought medical advice for their post-infection cough, either from general pediatricians (39.5%) or via specialist pediatric pulmonology consultations (30.9%). A total of 11.0% with a residual cough reported having pets at home, while 27.2% reported secondhand smoke exposure in the household. Before infection with COVID-19, only 32.6% were diagnosed with asthma, while 68.2% reported a diagnosis of atopic skin. CONCLUSIONS There was a high prevalence of residual cough post-COVID-19, extended for a minimum of two months, and the characteristics of the cough were very similar to those of asthmatic patients. There was still a high prevalence of using cough syrup and herbal remedies, especially olive oil, sesame oil, and male frankincense. A residual cough adversely affected school attendance in daily activities, and there was a high prevalence of other siblings in the family being affected. The study showed that a minority of patients were seen by the pulmonologist; luckily, long COVID was rare in our study, and so further studies are highly needed to confirm the association with asthma. More educational programs are highly needed regarding herbal remedies and cough syrup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Al-Shamrani
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Al Faisal University, P.O. Box 7897, Riyadh 11159, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Al-Shamrani
- College of Medicine, Al Marifah University, P.O. Box 92882, Riyadh 11663, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maram Al-Otaibi
- Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, P.O. Box 26523, Riyadh 12841, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayed Alenazi
- Respiratory Division, Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, P.O. Box 7456, Riyadh 13326, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hareth Aldosaimani
- Department of Emergency, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, P.O. Box 282236, Riyadh 11392, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zeyad Aldhalaan
- Department of Infectious Disease, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, P.O. Box 106383, Riyadh 11666, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haleimah Alalkami
- Department of Pediatrics, Abha Maternity & Children Hospital, P.O. Box 62521, Abha 3613, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah A Yousef
- Department of Pediatrics, King Fahd Hospital of the University, P.O. Box 2208, Al-Khobar 31952, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sumayyah Kobeisy
- Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, P.O. Box 2537, Jeddah 21461, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh Alharbi
- Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, P.O. Box 2537, Jeddah 21461, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pediatrics, Umm Al-Qura University, P.O. Box 715, Mecca 24382, Saudi Arabia
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Ali EAH, Alanazi MIH, Alanazi IAR, Alanazi BAM, Alanazi KA. Prevalence and Outcome of Management of Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Systematic Review. ARCHIVES OF PHARMACY PRACTICE 2023. [DOI: 10.51847/sf0lhijq5j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
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Jugulete G, Pacurar D, Pavelescu ML, Safta M, Gheorghe E, Borcoș B, Pavelescu C, Oros M, Merișescu M. Clinical and Evolutionary Features of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (COVID-19) in Children, a Romanian Perspective. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:1282. [PMID: 36138590 PMCID: PMC9497796 DOI: 10.3390/children9091282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Background: Given the potential for additional development to clarify a better knowledge of generally influence of COVID-19 upon the pediatric population, the clinical symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents are still being explored. Morbidity in children is characterized by a variable clinical course. Our study’s goal was to compare clinical aspects of 230 pediatric patients who analyzed positive for SARS-CoV-2 and were hospitalized between April 2020 and March 2022. Methods: This retrospective study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019, (COVID-19) in two groups of pediatric patients hospitalized in the infectious disease clinical ward IX at the National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Bals,” Bucharest, Romania. Clinical characteristics of 88 patients (first group), admitted between April−December 2020 were compared with the second group of 142 children admitted between July 2021 and March 2022. Results: Of 230 children, the median age was 4.5 years, and 53.9% were male. Fever (82.17%) and sore throat (66%) were the most common initial symptoms. Rhinorrhea (42%), cough (34%) and diarrhea (41.74%), with abdominal pain (26%) were also reported in a considerable number of cases. 88 (36.21%) patients (first group) were admitted during the second wave in Romania, mostly aged <5 years old, and experienced digestive manifestations like fever (p = 0.001), and diarrhea (p = 0.004). The second group experienced different clinical signs when compared with the first group, with higher temperature and increased respiratory symptoms analogous to persons who suffer acute respiratory viral infections. The proportion in the second group increased by 23.48% from the first group, and the 0−4 age group for both groups had symptoms for a median interval of 5 days; age (0−4-years old) and length of stay were both proportionally inversely and required longer hospitalization (5 days), for the first group. During study time, the fully vaccinated children for 5−12 years old were 10%, and for 13−18 years old, 14.35% respective. We report two Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome (PIMS) in the second group, with favorable evolution under treatment. Comorbidities (obesity and oncological diseases) were reported in both groups and are risk factors for complications appearing (p < 0.001). All pediatric cases admitted to our clinic evolved favorably and no death was recorded. Conclusions: Clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with COVID-19 are age-related. In the first group, 85.29% of 0−4 years old children experienced digestive symptoms, whereas in the second group 83.78% underwent mild and moderate respiratory symptoms for the 5−12 age range. The potential effects of COVID-19 infection in children older than 5 years should encourage caregivers to vaccinate and improve the prognosis among pediatric patients at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gheorghiță Jugulete
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Carol Davila”, No. 37, Dionisie Lupu Street, 2nd District, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- “Matei Balş” National Institute for Infectious Diseases, No. 1, Calistrat Grozovici Street, 2nd District, 021105 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Daniela Pacurar
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Carol Davila”, No. 37, Dionisie Lupu Street, 2nd District, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Pediatrics, “Grigore Alexandrescu” Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, No. 30-32, Iancu de Hunedoara Blvd., 011743 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mirela Luminița Pavelescu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Carol Davila”, No. 37, Dionisie Lupu Street, 2nd District, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Pediatrics, “Grigore Alexandrescu” Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, No. 30-32, Iancu de Hunedoara Blvd., 011743 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihaela Safta
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Carol Davila”, No. 37, Dionisie Lupu Street, 2nd District, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- “Matei Balş” National Institute for Infectious Diseases, No. 1, Calistrat Grozovici Street, 2nd District, 021105 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Elena Gheorghe
- “Matei Balş” National Institute for Infectious Diseases, No. 1, Calistrat Grozovici Street, 2nd District, 021105 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Bianca Borcoș
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Carol Davila”, No. 37, Dionisie Lupu Street, 2nd District, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- “Matei Balş” National Institute for Infectious Diseases, No. 1, Calistrat Grozovici Street, 2nd District, 021105 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Carmen Pavelescu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Carol Davila”, No. 37, Dionisie Lupu Street, 2nd District, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihaela Oros
- Ponderas Academic Hospital, No. 85A, Nicolae G. Caramfil Street, 014142 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Medicine, Titu Maiorescu University, No. 67A, Gheorghe Petraşcu Street, 3rd District, 031593 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mădălina Merișescu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Carol Davila”, No. 37, Dionisie Lupu Street, 2nd District, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- “Matei Balş” National Institute for Infectious Diseases, No. 1, Calistrat Grozovici Street, 2nd District, 021105 Bucharest, Romania
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Unalan-Altintop T, Celep G, Milletli-Sezgin F, Onarer P, Gozukara M, Bilgic I, Onal E, Can ME, Demir Hİ. The Impact of Alpha Variant (B.1.1.7), Viral Load, and Age on the Clinical Course of Pediatric COVID-19 Patients. J PEDIAT INF DIS-GER 2022. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1750317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objective The research on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mainly consists of adult patients, leaving its impact on children understudied. This study aims to investigate the correlations between viral load, clinical course, age, and Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) in children.
Methods The study was conducted on children under the age of 18 years, who were admitted to Amasya University Sabuncuoglu Serefeddin Research and Training Hospital in Turkey between February and April 2021. ΔCt values, which were obtained by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), were analyzed to estimate the viral loads of the patients. Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) positivity was determined by real-time PCR.
Results There was no difference between estimated viral loads of different clinical courses (p > 0.05), or between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients (p > 0.05). Viral loads were found to decrease with increasing age (p = 0.002). Also, a higher rate of symptomatic disease was found in children under the age of 4 years (p < 0.05). Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) was not found to be associated with severe disease in children (p > 0.05).
Conclusion Our results demonstrate higher viral loads and symptomatic disease in children under the age of 4 years. Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) was not found to be related to disease severity. There has not been a consensus on the vaccination of the pediatric population worldwide. More studies are needed to understand the viral kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 and its severity on children to build effective vaccination strategies in children as public health restrictions are eased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tugce Unalan-Altintop
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amasya University Sabuncuoglu Serefeddin Research and Training Hospital, Amasya, Turkey
| | - Gokce Celep
- Department of Pediatrics, Amasya University, Faculty of Medicine, Amasya, Turkey
| | | | - Pelin Onarer
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amasya University Sabuncuoglu Serefeddin Research and Training Hospital, Amasya, Turkey
| | | | - Isıl Bilgic
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Diseases, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Esra Onal
- Department of Pediatrics, Amasya University Sabuncuoglu Serefeddin Research and Training Hospital, Amasya, Turkey
| | - Muhammed Enis Can
- Department of Pediatrics, Amasya University Sabuncuoglu Serefeddin Research and Training Hospital, Amasya, Turkey
| | - Havva İpek Demir
- Department of Pediatrics, Evliya Celebi Research and Training Hospital, Kutahya, Turkey
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In-Person Schooling Amidst Children’s COVID-19 Vaccination: Exploring Parental Perceptions Just after Omicron Variant Announcement. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10050768. [PMID: 35632524 PMCID: PMC9147905 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10050768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron spread fast globally and became the predominant variant in many countries. Resumption of public regular life activities, including in-person schooling, presented parents with new sources of worry. Thus, it is important to study parental worry about the Omicron variant, willingness to vaccinate their children, and knowledge about school-based COVID-19 precautionary measures. Methods: A national, cross-sectional, pilot-validated online questionnaire targeting parents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was distributed between 31 December 2021, and 7 January 2022. The survey included sociodemographic, COVID-19 infection data, parental and children vaccination status, attitudes towards booster vaccine, parents’ Omicron-related perceptions and worries, and attitude towards in-person schooling. Results: A total of 1340 participants completed the survey, most (65.3%) of whom were mothers. Of the parents, 96.3% either received two or three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Only 32.1% of the parents were willing to vaccinate their young children (5–11 years of age). In relation to their children 12–18 years of age, 48% had already had them vaccinated, 31% were planning to vaccinate them, and 42.8% were willing to administer a booster dose. Only 16% were more worried about the Omicron variant compared to the Delta variant. Residents of western KSA were more worried about Omicron compared to Delta. Parents worried about the Omicron variant and male participants were significantly less aware of school-based COVID-19 precautionary measures. Parents with post-graduate degrees and those having more children were significantly more inclined to send their children to school even if COVID-19 outbreaks could occur in schools, while parents who were more worried about the Omicron variant and were more committed to infection prevention measures were significantly less inclined to do so. Conclusions: Overall, parents had lower worry levels about the Omicron variant compared to the Delta variant. They had a higher willingness to vaccinate their older children compared to the younger ones. In addition, our cohort of parents showed high willingness to send their children to schools and trusted the school-based preventative measures. These findings can inform policy makers when considering school related decisions during the current or future public health crises.
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