Lung mechanics in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome associated to acute COVID-19 and MIS-C: implications for therapies and outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To describe lung mechanics in Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (PARDS) associated with acute COVID-19 and MIS-C with respiratory failure.

METHODS

A concurrent multicenter observational study was performed, analyzing clinical variables and pulmonary mechanics of PARDS associated with COVID-19 in 4 Pediatric intensive care units (PICU) in Peru. The subgroup analysis included PARDS associated with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), MIS-PARDS, and PARDS with COVID-19 primary respiratory infection, C-PARDS. In addition, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for mortality and lung mechanics was performed.

RESULTS

30 patients were included. The age was 7.5 (4-11) years, 60% were male, and mortality was 23%. 47% corresponded to MIS-PARDS and 53% to C-PARDS groups. C-PARDS had positive RT-PCR in 67% and MIS-PARDS none (p < 0.001). C-PARDS group had more profound hypoxemia (P/F ratio < 100, 86% vs. 38%, p < 0.01) and higher driving-pressure [14(10-22) vs 10(10-12) cmH2O], and lower compliance of the respiratory system (CRS) [0.5 (0.3-0.6) vs 0.7(0.6-0.8) ml/ kg/cmH2O] compared with MIS-PARDS (all p < 0.05). The ROC analysis for mortality showed that driving pressure had the best performance [AUC 0.91(95%CI0.81-1.00), with the best cut-off point of 15 cmH2O (100% sensitivity and 87% specificity). Mortality in C-PARDS was 38% and 7% in MIS-PARDS (p = 0.09). MV-free days were 12(0-23) in C-PARDS and 23(21-25) in MIS-PARDS (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Patients with C-PARDS have lung mechanics characteristics similar to classic moderate to severe PARDS. This was not observed in patients with MIS-C. As seen in other studies, a driving pressure ≥ 15 cmH2O was the best discriminator for mortality. These findings may help guide ventilatory management strategies for these two different presentations.

Hyperferritinemic sepsis secondary to invasive Toxoplasma gondii in a child with untreated HIV

Background

Untreated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-immunosuppressed pediatric patients show high morbidity and mortality from opportunistic infections. Limited cases of hyperferritinemic sepsis have been described in patients with toxoplasmosis.

Case report

We describe the case of a 13-year-old female patient with a history of untreated HIV who presented with hyperferritinemic sepsis secondary to Toxoplasma gondii infection and Pneumocystis jirovecci pneumonia. She received ventilatory support, inotropic drugs, treatment for opportunistic germs, and high-dose corticosteroids, but with unfavorable evolution.

Conclusions

The global approach to sepsis with elevated ferritin guides to using of therapies aimed at neutralizing the severe inflammatory response. A timely diagnosis would allow prompt treatment and minimize complications.

[Budd Chiari syndrome secondary to antiphospholipid syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus in an adolescent: a case report]

Budd-Chiari syndrome is caused by an obstruction of blood flow to the liver. Published cases of the antiphospholipid syndrome associated with BCS are limited in the pediatric population. We report a 15-year-old adolescent who presented with fever, ascites, and hepatosplenomegaly. Hepatic Doppler ultrasound revealed no flow in the right and middle hepatic veins and in the inferior vena cava. Abdominal tomography revealed extensive thrombosis of the inferior vena cava. During hospitalization, she was diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus. She was given treatment with unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin, and anticoagulants. Budd-Chiari syndrome secondary to the antiphospholipid syndrome is a life-threatening disease. Timely diagnosis and treatment improve the quality of life of the patient.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with COVID-19 in a critically ill child: a Peruvian case report

Background

Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare disease. In middle and low-income countries, specific resources are required for its diagnosis due to the lack of diagnostic tests and the variable response to plasma exchange, especially in the context of the new SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Case report

We report the case of a 9-year-old male Hispanic patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection, atypical presentation, and multisystem involvement, thrombotic microangiopathy with dermal manifestations, hematologic, renal, and neurologic involvement. The patient was followed up after SARS-CoV-2 infection, the PLASMIC score was applied, and a genetic study was performed. Ventilation and hemodynamic support, corticotherapy, immunoglobulins, plasma exchange, renal replacement therapy, and monoclonal antibodies were given without favorable response.

Conclusions

TTP associated with SARS-CoV-2 in the pediatric population is rare. However, resources for the diagnosis, support, and management of patients with TTP are required to avoid fatal outcomes.

Systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with macrophage activation syndrome mimicking COVID-19 multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in children

BACKGROUND

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is characterized by excessive activation of macrophages and lymphocytes, leading to multiorgan dysfunction. As the initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), MAS is rare in children. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital to identify the MAS as it shares similar characteristics with the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).

CASE REPORT

We report the case of an 11-year-old male adolescent with symptoms of MIS-C. Although with negative results of RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) and serology for SARS-CoV-2, contact with a positive COVID-19 relative was reported. When admitted to a referral hospital center, the patient received standard treatment for MIS-C. Although the same scheme was given on three occasions, the patient showed no response to initial therapy. Thus, the patient was classified as a refractory case. When the study was extended to other differential diagnoses, we found MAS associated with SLE. Therefore, the patient was treated with etoposide, cyclosporine, dexamethasone, and methotrexate and showed a good clinical response.

CONCLUSIONS

MAS associated with SLE is rare in the pediatric population. MAS shares inflammatory markers with the MIS-C and is often confused with rheumatologic, infectious, and neoplastic entities. Reporting this case is important to identify differential diagnoses in patients presenting as MIS-C and decide on timely treatment, as it could be harmful or even fatal if a definitive diagnosis is not obtained on time.

[Pediatric multisystemic inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19: preliminary report of a hospital in Peru]

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