Digestive manifestations of Covid-19 in children: a retrospective study

Background

The world is currently facing a pandemic due to a new species of the Coronaviridae family called SARS-CoV-2, discovered in the city of Wuhan in China in December 2019. The WHO has named the resulting disease COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019). It has been a global health problem due to its major socio-economic damage. The aim of this study was to show the prevalence of gastrointestinal and hepatic manifestations in symptomatic children with COVID-19.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study, including 36 symptomatic children infected by SARS-CoV-2 hospitalized at the mother and child hospital of university hospital of Mohammed VI, Marrakech in Morocco, over a period of 7 months. Clinical and biological manifestations of the digestive system were evaluated for all patients.

Results

The digestive symptomatology came in second place after the respiratory manifestations. 14 patients (38.89 % of symptomatic patients) in our study had digestive symptoms on admission: 12 (33.33%) presented with diarrhea, 4 (11.11%) had abdominal pain and only one child (2.78%) had vomiting. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was elevated in one patient, while alanine transaminase (ALT) was elevated in 6 patients. The prothrombin level was normal in all patients. All patients were discharged with good general condition without morbidity and mortality.

Conclusion

This study concludes with the high prevalence of digestive manifestations of COVID-19 in symptomatic children. There were no severe clinical or biological abnormalities in our study. Digestive manifestations during COVID-19 in children are frequent, which requires the awareness of health professionals.

[Bird fancier's disease in a child: about a rare and unusual case]

La pathologie du poumon des éleveurs d´oiseaux fait partie des pneumopathies d´hypersensibilité, elle est secondaire à une réaction immuno-allergique aux antigènes aviaires. Cette entité demeure rare chez l´enfant. Elle constitue les deux tiers des pneumopathies d´hypersensibilité. Le diagnostic de cette maladie n´est pas si aisé. Il repose sur un faisceau d´arguments. Nous rapportons une observation singulière d´une fille de 7 ans, ayant comme antécédent un terrain d´atopie familiale, traitée initialement comme asthme devant des épisodes de dyspnée sifflante et une toux sans amélioration. La symptomatologie s´est aggravée par l´installation d´une dyspnée au repos, compliquée d´une détresse respiratoire cyanosante dans un contexte d´altération de l´état général. L´examen clinique a retrouvé un enfant ayant un retard pondéral, une cyanose péribuccale avec un hippocratisme digital. L´auscultation pulmonaire a objectivé des râles crépitants bilatéraux. La radiographie du thorax a mis en évidence un syndrome interstitiel bilatéral. La tomodensitométrie (TDM) thoracique a montré un aspect en verre dépoli diffus. Le bilan biologique a révélé une hyperéosinophilie avec une hyper-IgE, et a écarté une tuberculose, une mucoviscidose, un déficit immunitaire. La reprise de l´interrogatoire a montré un contact avec les oiseaux. Les sérologies de la maladie du poumon des éleveurs d´oiseaux étaient positives. La patiente est mise sous corticothérapie inhalée avec éviction de l´expositions aux oiseaux. Après un recul de 2 mois, l´évolution était favorable. Etant donné que les signes de la maladie du poumon des éleveurs d´oiseaux sont non spécifiques, elle doit être évoquée devant toute symptomatologie respiratoire avec la notion de contact aux antigènes aviaires.

Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Moroccan Children

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to analyze the epidemiological and clinical features of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) in a Moroccan pediatric population.

METHODS

A retrospective study of a cohort of 74 children with RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19. We collected information on clinical and laboratory features of all children (age <18 years) admitted between 2 March, 2020 and 1 April, 2020.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) age of the 74 children (40 girls) was 7 (1.5) years. The mean (SD) time from illness onset to diagnosis was 2 (1) days. 54 children were asymptomatic, while eight had fever, and five cases had cough. Recovery was after a mean (SD) of 12 (1) days.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 was mostly mild in the pediatric population in Morocco.

Laboratory abnormalities in children with novel Coronavirus Disease 2019

The novel Coronavirus disease 2019 continues to be a worldwide pandemic. Yet, little is still known about the biological features of this emergent infection in children. In this prospective study, we collected 68 children infected with SARS-COV-2 from March 2020 to May 2020, in Marrakesh, Morocco. No severe cases were observed in this cohort, and 66% of the patients were asymptomatic. The main laboratory abnormalities were hematological, as we found Leucopoenia in 4.4% of the cases, hyperleukocytosis in 1.6%. Neutropenia was found in 5 patients (7%) and only 2 cases (3%) had Lymphopenia. The inflammation and coagulation biomarkers were normal in the majority of the cases, as for liver and kidney function. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) serum levels were elevated in 8 cases (11.67%). The COVID-19 in children seems to have mild course and better outcome than in adults, which impacts the laboratory findings in this category. More studies must be conducted to learn more about the laboratory abnormalities in pediatric COVID-19.

Usefulness of urinary glycosaminoglycans assay for a mucopolysaccharidosis-specific screening

BACKGROUND

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), a group of inherited metabolic disorders characterized by the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans, can be diagnosed early through newborn screening programs. Establishing newborn screening in Morocco is a challenging task for multiple economic and social reasons. Screening in a Moroccan population using 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue urinary glycosaminoglycan (GAG) assays may allow for an earlier diagnosis of MPS. We studied the feasibility of implementing screening in Moroccan children as an alternative to national newborn screening. We determined the reference ranges for GAGs in the Moroccan population, their stability during transport, the effectiveness of this test as a screening procedure for MPS in patients, and its use as a screening test for MPS in the Imssouane region, where the rate of consanguineous marriage is 38%.

METHODS

Using dimethylmethylene blue assays, urine samples of 47 MPS patients were analyzed, together with urine samples from healthy controls (n = 368, age ranging from 1 month to 25 years), and from Imssouane region children (n = 350, age ranging from 6 months to 24 month). Precision, linearity, recovery, limits, and stability were tested.

RESULTS

Urinary GAGs reference values are age and ethnicity dependent. The validation parameters established displayed great precision and accuracy leading to recoveries according to internationally accepted values for bioanalytical methods. Urinary GAGs were stable for a maximum of 7 weeks at 40 °C. Screening of Imssouane children resulted in the detection of a 6-month-old child, diagnosed with MPS I.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate the usefulness of quantifying glycosaminoglycans for early screening of MPS.

Case Report of Central Precocious Puberty in a Female: Role of Environmental Pollutants?

A 5-year-old girl was brought to Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes for premature breast development since 4 months. Her medical antecedents and family history were uneventful. From investigations she was diagnosed as a case of central precocious puberty. Identification of pesticides in farms surrounding their house indicates that this early stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis was linked to the estrogen-like activity of endocrine-disrupting compounds.

Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Moroccan Children

Objectives

This study aims to analyze the epidemiological and clinical features of Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) in a Moroccan pediatric population.

Methods

A retrospective study of a cohort of 74 children with RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19. We collected information on clinical and laboratory features of all children (age <18 years) admitted between 2 March, 2020 and 1 April, 2020.

Results

The mean (SD) age of the 74 children (40 girls) was 7 (1.5) years. The mean (SD) time from illness onset to diagnosis was 2 (1) days. 54 children were asymptomatic, while eight had fever, and five cases had cough. Recovery was after a mean (SD) of 12 (1) days.

Conclusions

COVID-19 was mostly mild in the pediatric population in Morocco.

[An unusual case of cardiomyopathy showing carnitine palmitoyltransferase deficiency]

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase deficiencies (CPD) are rare and caused by a defect in fatty acid oxidation. We here report the case of a 10-year-old patient with no particular previous history presenting with acute dyspnea associated with productive cough, fever and impaired general condition. The patient was polypneic with tachycardia, mitral systolic murmur and no sign of heart failure. Chest x-ray showed cardiomegaly and echocardiography revealed hypokinetic dilated cardiomyopathy. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase deficiency was diagnosed. Management was based on treatment for heart disease and strict hypopidic and hyperglucidic diet. Three months later, the patient presented with decompensated heart failure due to infection caused by antibiotic-resistant Aeromonas caviae identified in blood culture. CPD should be suspected in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. This would enable early management which influences prognosis.

Emphysème lobaire géant chez un nourrisson

This study reports the case of a two-month-old male infant born to a first-degree marriage. Cesarean section was performed due to oligohydramnios and the infant received required vaccines. The initial interview conducted with parent’s highlighted dyspnea after delivery. For 14 days, he had had dry cough associated with wheezing progressing in a context of apyrexia. Clinical examination showed conscious, apyretic infant with HR 140 bpm, FR 51 cpm, SpO2 99% breathing 1 L/min with signs of respiratory distress such as substernal intercostal retraction with decreased left vescicular murmur, bilateral basithoracic sibilant sounds and crackles in the left region. Cardiovascular auscultation showed heart sounds deviated to the left side without heart murmur. The patient didn’t have abdominal distension. Chest X-ray showed distention of the left lung with lucency of the entire left lung and visible vascularization. It was associated with trans-mediastinal hernia as well as displacement of the mediastinal structures on the contralateral side and right pulmonary atelectasis. Radiological findings suggested giant emphysema in the left lobe, diaphragmatic hernia, dextrocardia and viral bronchiolitis. Angioscan showed giant emphysema in the left upper lobe. Echocardiography and abdominal ultrasound were normal. Left upper lobectomy was performed associated with anatomopathological examination, which confirmed the diagnosis of emphysema. The postoperative course was uneventful. Clinical and radiological outcomes were satisfactory after a 2-month follow-up period.

Toxic shock syndrome and pyomyositis: about an unusual case

Pyomyositis is a pyogenic infection of skeletal muscle with abscess formation. It is a rare disease with nonspecific symptoms which requires a rapid diagnosis and treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging is considered the gold standard for early diagnosis and to rule out other etiologies. This article reports an atypical presentation of pyomyositis revealed by a toxic staphylococcal shock syndrome in an 8-year-old boy.

[Cerebral venous thrombosis in children: about a series of 12 cases]

La thrombose veineuse cérébrale (TVC) est rare chez l'enfant. Sa présentation clinique et ses étiologies sont variables. Le pronostic des patients reste redoutable devant le risque de décès et des séquelles neurosensorielles. L'objectif était d'étudier le profil clinique, radiologique et étiologique des TVC de l'enfant, et évaluer l'intérêt du traitement anti thrombotique. L'étude rétrospective menée au service de pédiatrie et de réanimation pédiatrique au CHU Med VI de Marrakech, Maroc, sur une période de 9 ans 10 mois (janvier 2008 à octobre 2018), colligeant tous les cas de TVC confirmés à l'imagerie, ayant un âge entre 1 mois et 15 ans. Nous avons recensé 12 cas. L'âge moyen était de 6,4 ans. Le sexe ratio était de 1.4. Le mode de début était aigu dans 7 cas. Les principales présentations cliniques étaient les convulsions (7 cas), les signes neurologiques focaux (7 cas), et les signes d'hypertension intracrânienne (HTIC) (6 cas). La tomodensitométrie (TDM) et / ou l'imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM), ont révélé une atteinte du réseau veineux superficiel dans 8 cas, étendue dans 3 cas. L'étiologie était infectieuse chez 6 patients avec un cas de déshydratation, deux cas de maladie de système et une homocystinurie. Cependant, l'étiologie restait inconnue chez deux patients. Le traitement anti-thrombotique instaurait chez 7 enfants, avait permis une bonne évolution clinico-radiologique dans 5 cas. Le décès était survenu chez 2 enfants, et 3 autres avaient des séquelles neurologiques. Les TVCs chez l'enfant sont caractérisées par la grande diversité de leur présentation clinique et de leurs étiologies. L'impact des anticoagulants a été prouvé malgré l'absence de protocole thérapeutique standardisé.

[Acceptability of human papilloma virus vaccine: parent survey]

Le but de ce travail est d'évaluer les connaissances des parents des filles en âge de vaccination sur le vaccin anti virus du papillome humain (HPV), leur acceptabilité du vaccin et les facteurs associés au refus. Nous avons mené une enquête auprès des parents de filles âgées de 8 à 15 ans, suivies pour diverses pathologies au service de pédiatrie du CHU Mohamed VI de Marrakech, Maroc, portant sur le profil des parents, leur connaissances sur le cancer du col de l'utérus, l'HPV, et le vaccin anti HPV, l'acceptabilité de vacciner leur filles et les arguments liés au refus. Quatre vingt seize questionnaires ont été inclus dans l'analyse. Le cancer du col est considéré fréquent pour 58% des parents. Seuls 5% connaissaient le vaccin anti HPV. Leur source d'information à tous était les médias. Personne n'avait d'idée sur le coût du vaccin et sa tolérance. Aucune fille n'était vaccinée contre l'HPV. Soixante trois pour cent des parents voudraient bien vacciner leurs filles, ce taux a augmenté à 82% après sensibilisation des parents. Treize pour cent des parents étaient hésitants alors que 24% ont refusé de vacciner pour cause d'effets secondaires majoritairement (51%). Les parents refusant le vaccin étaient en majorité de sexe masculin, de niveau socio-économique et culturel moyen, et ignoraient le virus et le vaccin dans 91% des cas. Cette étude a permis de soulever les éléments de réticences face au vaccin anti HPV afin d'optimiser les stratégies de communication auprès des parents.

[Orbital and periorbital cellulitis in children. Epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic aspects and course]

Orbital cellulitis in children is a rare but potentially serious condition. The goal of this study is to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic aspects and typical course of orbital and periorbital cellulitis in children, so as to propose a clinical management protocol adapted to our context. During the retrospective study period (2008-2014), 28 cases were hospitalized in the pediatric department at the Mohammed VI university medical center in Marrakech. Eighty-five percent of the cases were diagnosed as preseptal cellulitis, and 15% as retroseptal cellulitis. The age of the patients ranged from 6 months to 14 years with a mean age of 3 years. We report a female predominance with a prevalence of 58%. In our study, the most common cause is extension of infection from sinusitis. Clinically, fever was present in 19 patients (68%), eyelid edema was universal, proptosis and chemosis were noted in 2 cases, and ptosis in one patient. Bacteriological testing identified micro-organisms in 6 cases. Orbital computed tomography performed in 57% of the cases showed preseptal cellulitis in 12 cases, orbital cellulitis in one case, a subperiosteal abscess in 2 cases, and orbital abscess in one case. Medical treatment was based on amoxicillin-clavulanic acid or the combination of ceftriaxone, metronidazole±aminoglycoside. However, surgical drainage was necessary in 1 case. The outcome of all cases was favorable. Orbital cellulitis in children is usually preseptal, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid is considered to be the standard empiric treatment.

[An uncommon cause of delayed walking: idiopathic palmoplantar hidradenitis]

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic palmoplantar hidradenitis is an uncommon neutrophilic dermatosis, occurring in children and young adults. Its pathogenesis is incompletely understood. It is characterized by spontaneous resolution, but it can relapse in 50% of cases. We describe a case of a child with atypical idiopathic hidradenitis remarkable for its impact on his motor development.

OBSERVATION

A 3-year-old boy was admitted to the pediatric unit for etiological assessment of delayed walking. Medullary MRI and TSH were normal. He was referred to a dermatologic consultation for recurrent and painful palmoplantar lesions, giving an equinus antalgic posture. Examination found erythematous tender plantar nodules. The palms were not affected. The exam was otherwise normal. Diagnosis of idiopathic plantar hidradenitis, pressure urticaria, and plantar erythema nodosum were discussed, leading to a skin biopsy. The histopathologic findings of nodular, neutrophilic infiltrates around the eccrine glands confirmed the diagnosis of idiopathic plantar hidradenitis. Anti-inflammatory treatment was given, followed by complete resolution of the lesions, but persistent equinus posture.

COMMENTS

Idiopathic palmoplantar hidradenitis is an uncommon neutrophilic dermatosis, distinct from neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis. It corresponds to neutrophilic infiltrates of the eccrine sweat glands. It is more frequently reported in children and young adults with no medical history. Its pathogenesis is not completely explained. The lesions are usually painful, hindering walking for a few days or even delaying it, as for our patient. These lesions typically involute, but they may recur in more than half of the cases.

CONCLUSION

Through this observation, we highlight the atypical impact of idiopathic hidradenitis and the value of a dermatological examination in case of delayed walking.

[Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis after rabies vaccination: a case report]

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. It is a disease whose incidence is not precisely known. The presumed mechanism is demyelination of the immune-mediated central nervous system. There is no pathognomonic clinical presentation in ADEM. The combination of multifocal neurological disorders arising in the aftermath of an infection or vaccination should alert the clinician. We report a case of ADEM in an 8-year-old child occurring after antirabies vaccination. The diagnosis was made by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (bilateral and multifocal lesions in the subcortical occipitoparietal and frontal left anterior white matter with involvement of U fibers) and a history of antirabies vaccination. The clinical course was marked by the appearance of motor and visual effects.

[Necrotic lesion of the lip and cough with fever: cutaneous and pulmonary anthrax]

Anthrax disease is an anthropozoonosis caused by Bacillus anthracis. It appears in three clinical forms: pulmonary, intestinal, and cutaneous. We report a case of pulmonary and cutaneous anthrax in a one-year-old Moroccan infant.

[Characteristics of the children with epilepsy followed in the Marrakech University Hospital]

INTRODUCTION

Epilepsy is one of the most frequent neurological diseases in the pediatric population. Many epidemiological studies have been published, but with rather discordant results, because of methodological differences. In our context, epilepsy constitutes a public health problem. National epidemiological data are scarce.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the characteristics of children with epilepsy, to analyze the risk factors and to assess the impact of the disease on schooling.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study concerning 592 children attending the Mohammed VI university hospital center pediatric unit A outpatient clinic for epilepsy from August 2003 to December 2007.

RESULTS

Epileptic syndromes were classified according to the criteria of the International League Against Epilepsy of 1989. Prevalence of epilepsy was 8.5%. Average age was 6 years 7 months. Age of seizure onset ranged from 2 months to 14 years. Male gender predominated. Antecedents were dominated by peri- and neonatal complications. Parental consanguinity and a family history of epilepsy were found in 19.2 and 11.6% of cases, respectively. Schooling was perturbed in more than one-third of the school-age children. Generalized seizures were most common (70.5%). Association with cerebral palsy was present in 18.6% of cases, with mental retardation in 4.7%. The epilepsy was idiopathic for 41% of the children, symptomatic for 39% and cryptogenic for 20%. Generalized epileptic syndromes were the most frequent, epilepsy absence (12%), Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (6%), West syndrome (5.5%) and myoclonic epilepsy (4%). The most common partial epileptic idiopathic syndrome was benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes. Single-drug therapy was the rule for first intention treatment (96.8%). Sodium valproate was the antiepileptic drug most widely used (82%). Treatment led to resolution of the seizures in 76% of the children.

CONCLUSION

Preventive measures should be reinforced in our context with a considerable proportion of children presenting neonatal risk factors. Efforts should be made to improve schooling for children with epilepsy.