Editorial: COVID-19 and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)

Biochemical and Anthropometric Nutritional Assessment in Children Infected with COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome has led to a pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Malnutrition either biochemically or anthropometrically is a well-known risk factor for COVID-19 and may be the vice versa Objectives  : To investigate the prevalence of malnutrition in children infected with COVID-19 through evaluating the nutritional biomarkers such as serum electrolytes, serum albumin and hemoglobin together with the anthropometric assessment.  Methods: A cross sectional study that was conducted at ElMatria Teaching Hospital for all children admitted with confirmed COVID-19 over a period of 6 months from 1st February 2021 to the end of July, 2021. Nutritional biochemical evaluation included serum electrolytes particularly   the potassium and other nutritional biomarkers such  as serum albumin and hemoglobin. Nutritional anthropometric evaluation depended on BMI (body mass index), the height/length, weight for length and weight for height..The prevalence of malnutrition esp. hypokalemia was the main outcome. Results: Hypokalemia was present in 21.8% of the study participants . Other nutritional biomarkers were found  as hyponatremia, hypocalcemia , hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesemia were detected in 49.1% , 38.2%,21.8% and 34.5%  of the study subjects respectively. Anthropometric malnutrition was present in most of the enrolled children with COVID-19 in the study (65.5 %  (n= 36) )through which overweight and obese children occupied a greater percentage. Conclusion: Malnutrition either biochemically or anthropometrically could be linked to   COVID-19 in children. COVID-19 could have negative outcomes on the nutritional status such as electrolytes disturbances. Both malnutrition and COVID-19 are considered synergistic associations   Keywords: Malnutrition. COVID-19. Children. Hypokalemia. Obesity

Cloth face mask fit and function for children part one: design exploration

Commercially available children’s cloth masks range widely in material type and fabric structures, methods of construction, layering, and shape, and there is a lack of sizing systems, anthropometric data or guidelines specifically targeting the fit assessment and design of cloth face masks for children 4-6 years old. To better identify and understand the cloth face mask fit and functional needs of children ages 4-6 years old, the researchers embarked on interdisciplinary in-depth study to investigate commercial market offerings of children’s face masks, identify consumer perspectives, and explore mask design improvements through design research. By triangulating results from survey feedback, commercial market content analysis, and wear trial observations, the researchers were able to identify important design criteria that can be used in the improvement of children’s cloth face mask design: size, comfort, dexterity, movement, and thermal comfort. These criteria were used to iteratively develop new mask prototypes involving a 3D printed head form, traditional sewing and hand patternmaking skills, and the creation of multiple mask versions to explore the design criteria listed above. The designs were interpreted through Bye’s (2010) Problem-Based Design Research (PBDR) framework, which identifies common design research practices in the field on a spectrum and situates PBDR as a process centered on a problem as impetus for design through which artifacts are developed.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Upended Youth Sports

The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that approximately 35 to 45 million young people age 6 to 18 years participate in some type of athletics every year. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic interrupted youth sports and left many children unable to train in-person with teammates and coaches. Given the large impact sports and physical activity have on the lives of children and adolescents, the effect that coronavirus disease 2019 restrictions have had on the psychological and physical well-being of young athletes is significant. The youth sports community has worked hard to find creative ways to safely bring children and adolescents back to the fields and courts with rules and regulations in place. Youth practices and competitions are potential spreader events for SARS-CoV-2, especially given the challenge of identifying young athletes and other participants with asymptomatic active viral infection. With the implementation of rapid result testing programs and the US Food and Drug Administration approval of a highly effective vaccine in adolescents and, most recently, in younger children, youth sports are once again becoming a place for young athletes to train, socialize, and learn invaluable lessons in teamwork and leadership. [Pediatr Ann. 2021;50(11):e450-e453.].

Editorial: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults (MIS-A) and the Spectrum of COVID-19

Recent studies on the pathogenesis and clinical spectrum of human disease following infection with the new human pathogen, SARS-CoV-2, have identified the varied presentations and sequelae of COVID-19. Acute ‘cytokine storm’ in severe COVID-19 results in multiorgan damage due to vascular hyperpermeability, edema, and hypercoagulation. The long-term consequences of infection from SARS-CoV-2 include long COVID. or post-COVID syndrome, and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Several case reports of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) have shown the presentation at more than four weeks after initial infection with SARS-CoV-2 in adults more than 21 years of age. In September 2021, a published systematic review of the literature identified 221 patients with MIS-A, representing the most comprehensive clinical study to date. MIS-A occurs in the post-acute COVID-19 period. The pathogenesis may involve a dysregulated antibody-mediated immune response, similar to MIS-C. Therefore, patients with MIS-A may respond to supportive therapies that control hyperinflammation. This Editorial aims to describe MIS-A and discuss COVID-19 as a spectrum of hyperinflammatory disease in terms of severity, extent, duration, and patient age.

Editorial: Long COVID, or Post-COVID Syndrome, and the Global Impact on Health Care

During 2020, increasing numbers of case reports, case series, and small observational studies reported long-term complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients who had recovered from acute infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Long COVID has a prevalence of between 10-30% in patients with a recent history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Pulmonary, hematologic, cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric, renal, endocrine, gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary, and dermatologic involvement, and chronic multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) highlights the requirement for a multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with long COVID. This Editorial aims to present the current status of long COVID, or post-COVID syndrome, and its global impact on health and the provision of health care.