Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis and Mental Health Disorders: A Narrative Review of the Literature

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common type of scoliosis. The condition begins in puberty, affects 1–4% of adolescents, and disproportionately affects young women. Our aim was to comprehensively examine the association between AIS and risk for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, psychotic disorders, and personality dysfunctional mechanisms. Methods: Literature review of related articles published in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus up to 15 July 2021. Results: A total of 30 studies were deemed eligible, examining the effects of AIS upon mental health, and using appropriate psychometric inventories. Studies highlighted the association of brace treatment with elevated anxiety. In addition, mental health conditions and traits (e.g., anxiety and depressive symptoms, neuroticism) were detected more frequently amongst AIS patients compared to healthy controls. Conclusions: AIS represents a risk factor for mental health disorders. More longitudinal studies, utilizing accurate psychometric instruments, are warranted, to reveal the current impact of AIS on the mental health of youngsters, along with the tailoring of well-targeted interventions to reduce the burden of mental health issues in adulthood.

Sexual Activity in Adolescents and Young Adults through COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been postulated that the sexual life of adolescent and young adults has been impacted in various aspects, potentially affecting their well-being. Our aim is to investigate the potential changes in the sexual activity and relationships of adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. In general, a decrease in sexual desire was reported during the COVID-19 pandemic, in both genders. Fewer sexual intercourses and bonding behaviors between partners were associated with loneliness and depressive symptoms. On the contrary, an increase in sexual desire was expressed in a few people, with masturbation to be the most preferable means of satisfaction. The present paper highlights the multifaceted impact of COVID-19 upon the sexual life of adolescents and young adults during the ongoing pandemic. The changes observed in their sexual activity and relationships, could provide the basis of future preventive and educational programs.

A Case of COVID-19-Related Thrombocytopenia and Leukopenia in an Adolescent with Mild Symptoms

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been numerous reports and reviews on the complications caused by the disease, analyzing the acute and chronic consequences. The main symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 are dry cough, fever, and fatigue. COVID-19 appears to affect all systems, including renal, cardiovascular, circulatory, and respiratory systems, causing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We report on a 14-year-old male adolescent, who presented with thrombocytopenia (platelet count 92 × 10⁹ /L) and leukopenia (white blood count 4.2 × 10³ /μL) that was observed two months ago. Ten days before the first blood test, a viral infection with nasal congestion and runny nose was reported, without other accompanying symptoms. Viral antibodies screening revealed positivity for all the three specific COVID-19 antibodies. Further haematological evaluation with bone marrow aspiration revealed non-specific dysplastic features of the red cell and megakaryocyte progenitors. Although haematological alterations due to COVID-19 infection are available from adult patients’ reports, the effect of COVID-19 infection in the pediatric population is underestimated and this is the first case with such haematological involvement. Noteworthy, in the current case, the impact of the COVID-19 infection was not related to the severity of the disease, as the symptoms were mild. In similar cases, bone marrow aspiration would not be performed as a part of routine work-up. Thus, it is important when evaluating pediatric patients with COVID-19 infection to search and report those alterations in order to better understand the impact and the spectrum of clinical manifestations of the specific viral infection in children and adolescents.

Obesity in Children and Adolescents during COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to special circumstances and changes to everyday life due to the worldwide measures that were imposed such as lockdowns. This review aims to evaluate obesity in children, adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A literature search was conducted to evaluate pertinent studies up to 10 November 2020. Results: A total of 15 articles were eligible; 9 identified 17,028,111 children, adolescents and young adults from 5–25 years old, 5 pertained to studies with an age admixture (n = 20,521) and one study included parents with children 5–18 years old (n = 584). During the COVID-19 era, children, adolescents and young adults gained weight. Changes in dietary behaviors, increased food intake and unhealthy food choices including potatoes, meat and sugary drinks were noted during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Food insecurity associated with financial reasons represents another concern. Moreover, as the restrictions imposed reduced movements out of the house, physical activity was limited, representing another risk factor for weight gain. Conclusions: COVID-19 restrictions disrupted the everyday routine of children, adolescents and young adults and elicited changes in their eating behaviors and physical activity. To protect them, health care providers should highlight the risk of obesity and provide prevention strategies, ensuring also parental participation. Worldwide policies, guidelines and precautionary measures should ideally be established.

Weekly Personal Ozone Exposure and Respiratory Health in a Panel of Greek Schoolchildren

BACKGROUND

The association of ozone exposure with respiratory outcomes has been investigated in epidemiologic studies mainly including asthmatic children. The findings reported had methodological gaps and inconsistencies.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate effects of personal ozone exposure on various respiratory outcomes in school-age children generally representative of the population during their normal activities.

METHODS

We conducted a panel study in a representative sample of school-age children in the two major cities of Greece, Athens and Thessaloniki. We followed 188, 10- to 11-y-old, elementary school students for 5 wk spread throughout the 2013–2014 academic year, during which ozone was measured using personal samplers. At the end of each study week, spirometry was performed by trained physicians, and the fractional concentration of nitric oxide in exhaled air (F_eNO) was measured. Students kept a daily time–activity–symptom diary and measured PEF (peak expiratory flow) using peak flow meters. Mixed models accounting for repeated measurements were applied.

RESULTS

An increase of 10 μg/m³ in weekly ozone concentration was associated with a decrease in FVC (forced vital capacity) and FEV₁ (forced expiratory volume in 1 s) of 0.03 L [95% confidence interval (CI): −0.05, −0.01] and 0.01 L (95% CI: −0.03, 0.003) respectively. The same increase in exposure was associated with a 11.10% (95% CI: 4.23, 18.43) increase in F_eNO and 19% (95% CI: −0.53, 42.75) increase in days with any symptom. The effect estimates were robust to PM₁₀ adjustment. No inverse association was found between ozone exposure and PEF.

CONCLUSIONS

The study provides evidence that airway inflammation and the frequency of respiratory symptoms increase, whereas lung function decreases with increased ozone exposure in schoolchildren. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP635.

Clinical features, risk factors, and complications among pediatric patients with pandemic influenza A (H1N1)

OBJECTIVE

The authors aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics, clinical features, risk factors for severe disease, and complications in children with laboratory-confirmed pandemic influenza A (H1N1).

METHODS

H1N1 was confirmed by performing reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay on oropharyngeal swab specimens. The medical charts of a subset of the evaluated patients were reviewed retrospectively; another subset was enrolled prospectively.

RESULTS

A total of 51 patients (44 [86%] > 5 years) were identified to have laboratory-confirmed H1N1. Fever was the most common presenting symptom (92%). Of the 15 hospitalized patients, 4 had asthma, and 5 were overweight or obese. All but 1 of these 9 patients developed influenza-related complications. Overall, 10 of the 15 hospitalized patients (67%) developed an influenza-related complication (6 bronchitis and 4 pneumonia).

CONCLUSION

In this cohort, most children with confirmed H1N1 infection experience an uncomplicated viral illness. Nevertheless, underlying asthma and obesity may aggravate their clinical course.