Journal of tropical pediatrics
-
During the current ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, psychological problems like anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings, inattention and sleep disturbance are fairly common among quarantined children in several studies. A systematic review of these publications to provide an accurate burden of these psychiatric/behavioral problems is needed for planning mitigating measures by the health authorities. ⋯ Anxiety, depression, irritability, boredom, inattention and fear of COVID-19 are predominant new-onset psychological problems in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Children with pre-existing behavioral problems like autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have a high probability of worsening of their behavioral symptoms.
-
Children usually present with minimal or no symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in children from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) have not been well described. We describe the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and clinical phenotype of seropositive children admitted to a tertiary children's hospital in South India. ⋯ Children usually present with minimal or no symptoms of COVID-19 infection. However, Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) or Paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome associated or related with SARS-CoV-2 infection (PIMS-TS) has emerged as a distinctive paediatric illness related to SARS-CoV-2. Recently, antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 is being used increasingly as a diagnostic test for PIMS-TS. However, data on the antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in children are sparse. We, therefore, attempted to identify the seropositivity and describe the clinical spectrum of COVID-19 infection amongst infants and children getting hospitalised in a children's hospital in south India. Nearly one-fifth of the hospitalised children tested serology positive over 4 months. Antibody levels in children with PIMS-TS were significantly higher in comparison to the other two groups (acute COVID-19 infection and children without PIMS-TS). Results from our study suggest that all children are at risk of COVID-19 infection though they may present with mild illness or no symptoms. We also observed that antibody testing may have a possible role in diagnosis of PIMS-TS.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Heated Humidified High-Flow Nasal Cannula vs. Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure for Post-extubation Respiratory Support in Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC) and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) for prevention of extubation failure in preterm infants. ⋯ In our study, HHHFNC was as effective as nCPAP for prevention of extubation failure in preterm infants. Also, HHHFNC was associated with significantly less nasal trauma compared with nCPAP.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
The Effect of Cartoon Watching and Distraction Card on Physiologic Parameters and Fear Levels During Inhalation Therapy in Children: A Randomized Controlled Study.
The study was conducted as a randomized controlled study to investigate the effect of cartoon watching and distraction cards on physiologic parameters and fear levels in children with acute bronchitis in the emergency department. ⋯ It was observed that watching cartoons during inhalation therapy was more effective in reducing the level of fear in children that distraction card.
-
Case Reports
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in a Child with Scrub Typhus and Macrophage Activation Syndrome.
Clinical and laboratory parameters of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) mimic Kawasaki disease (KD). KD has been described in association with dengue, scrub typhus and leptospirosis. However, MIS-C with concomitant infection has rarely been reported in literature. ⋯ KD, MIS-C and MAS represent three distinct phenotypes of hyperinflammation seen in children during coronavirus disease pandemic. Several tropical infections may mimic or coexist with MIS-C which can be a diagnostic challenge for the treating physician. Identification of coexistence or differentiation between the two conditions is important in countries with high incidence of tropical infections to guide appropriate investigations and treatment.