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Calcaterra V, Zanelli S, Foppiani A, Verduci E, Benatti B, Bollina R, Bombaci F, Brucato A, Cammarata S, Calabrò E, Cirnigliaro G, Della Torre S, Dell’osso B, Moltrasio C, Marzano AV, Nostro C, Romagnuolo M, Trotta L, Savasi V, Smiroldo V, Zuccotti G. Long COVID in Children, Adults, and Vulnerable Populations: A Comprehensive Overview for an Integrated Approach. Diseases 2024; 12:95. [PMID: 38785750 PMCID: PMC11120262 DOI: 10.3390/diseases12050095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Long COVID affects both children and adults, including subjects who experienced severe, mild, or even asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. We have provided a comprehensive overview of the incidence, clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of persistent COVID-19 symptoms in both children and adults, encompassing vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women and oncological patients. Our objective is to emphasize the critical significance of adopting an integrated approach for the early detection and appropriate management of long COVID. The incidence and severity of long COVID symptoms can have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients and the course of disease in the case of pre-existing pathologies. Particularly, in fragile and vulnerable patients, the presence of PASC is related to significantly worse survival, independent from pre-existing vulnerabilities and treatment. It is important try to achieve an early recognition and management. Various mechanisms are implicated, resulting in a wide range of clinical presentations. Understanding the specific mechanisms and risk factors involved in long COVID is crucial for tailoring effective interventions and support strategies. Management approaches involve comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and treatment of symptoms and comorbidities, such as autonomic dysfunction, as well as multidisciplinary rehabilitation. The overall course of long COVID is one of gradual improvement, with recovery observed in the majority, though not all, of patients. As the research on long-COVID continues to evolve, ongoing studies are likely to shed more light on the intricate relationship between chronic diseases, such as oncological status, cardiovascular diseases, psychiatric disorders, and the persistent effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This information could guide healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers in developing targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Calcaterra
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Università degli Sudi di Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy; (S.Z.); (E.V.)
| | - Sara Zanelli
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy; (S.Z.); (E.V.)
| | - Andrea Foppiani
- International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status and the Development of Dietary Intervention Strategies (ICANS-DIS), Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy;
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Medicine, Clinical Nutrition Unit, 20145 Milano, Italy
| | - Elvira Verduci
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy; (S.Z.); (E.V.)
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Beatrice Benatti
- “Aldo Ravelli” Center for Nanotechnology and Neurostimulation, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy; (B.B.); (B.D.)
- Department of Psychiatry, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, University of Milano, 20154 Milano, Italy; (G.C.); (C.N.)
| | - Roberto Bollina
- Department of Medical Oncology, ASST Rhodense, 20024 Milano, Italy; (R.B.); (S.D.T.); (V.S.)
| | - Francesco Bombaci
- Department of Radiology, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20154 Milano, Italy;
| | - Antonio Brucato
- Department of Internal Medicine, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, 20154 Milano, Italy; (A.B.); (E.C.); (L.T.)
| | - Selene Cammarata
- Department of Woman, Mother and Neonate, Luigi Sacco Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, 20154 Milano, Italy; (S.C.); (V.S.)
| | - Elisa Calabrò
- Department of Internal Medicine, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, 20154 Milano, Italy; (A.B.); (E.C.); (L.T.)
| | - Giovanna Cirnigliaro
- Department of Psychiatry, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, University of Milano, 20154 Milano, Italy; (G.C.); (C.N.)
| | - Silvia Della Torre
- Department of Medical Oncology, ASST Rhodense, 20024 Milano, Italy; (R.B.); (S.D.T.); (V.S.)
| | - Bernardo Dell’osso
- “Aldo Ravelli” Center for Nanotechnology and Neurostimulation, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy; (B.B.); (B.D.)
- Department of Psychiatry, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, University of Milano, 20154 Milano, Italy; (G.C.); (C.N.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Centro per lo Studio dei Meccanismi Molecolari alla Base delle Patologie Neuro-Psico-Geriatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Moltrasio
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy; (C.M.); (A.V.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Angelo Valerio Marzano
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy; (C.M.); (A.V.M.); (M.R.)
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Nostro
- Department of Psychiatry, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, University of Milano, 20154 Milano, Italy; (G.C.); (C.N.)
| | - Maurizio Romagnuolo
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy; (C.M.); (A.V.M.); (M.R.)
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Lucia Trotta
- Department of Internal Medicine, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, 20154 Milano, Italy; (A.B.); (E.C.); (L.T.)
| | - Valeria Savasi
- Department of Woman, Mother and Neonate, Luigi Sacco Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, 20154 Milano, Italy; (S.C.); (V.S.)
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Valeria Smiroldo
- Department of Medical Oncology, ASST Rhodense, 20024 Milano, Italy; (R.B.); (S.D.T.); (V.S.)
| | - Gianvincenzo Zuccotti
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy; (S.Z.); (E.V.)
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy
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2
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Massimi L, Cinalli G, Frassanito P, Arcangeli V, Auer C, Baro V, Bartoli A, Bianchi F, Dietvorst S, Di Rocco F, Gallo P, Giordano F, Hinojosa J, Iglesias S, Jecko V, Kahilogullari G, Knerlich-Lukoschus F, Laera R, Locatelli D, Luglietto D, Luzi M, Messing-Jünger M, Mura R, Ragazzi P, Riffaud L, Roth J, Sagarribay A, Pinheiro MS, Spazzapan P, Spennato P, Syrmos N, Talamonti G, Valentini L, Van Veelen ML, Zucchelli M, Tamburrini G. Intracranial complications of sinogenic and otogenic infections in children: an ESPN survey on their occurrence in the pre-COVID and post-COVID era. Childs Nerv Syst 2024; 40:1221-1237. [PMID: 38456922 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-024-06332-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 pandemic is thought to have changed the epidemiology of some pediatric neurosurgical disease: among them are the intracranial complications of sinusitis and otitis (ICSO). According to some studies on a limited number of cases, both streptococci-related sinusitis and ICSO would have increased immediately after the pandemic, although the reason is not clear yet (seasonal changes versus pandemic-related effects). The goal of the present survey of the European Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery (ESPN) was to collect a large number of cases from different European countries encompassing the pre-COVID (2017-2019), COVID (2020-2021), and post-COVID period (2022-June 2023) looking for possible epidemiological and/or clinical changes. MATERIAL AND METHODS An English language questionnaire was sent to ESPN members about year of the event, patient's age and gender, presence of immune-deficit or other favoring risk factors, COVID infection, signs and symptoms at onset, site of primary infection, type of intracranial complication, identified germ, type and number of surgical operations, type and duration of medical treatment, clinical and radiological outcome, duration of the follow-up. RESULTS Two hundred fifty-four cases were collected by 30 centers coming from 14 different European countries. There was a statistically significant difference between the post-COVID period (129 children, 86 cases/year, 50.7% of the whole series) and the COVID (40 children, 20 cases/year, 15.7%) or the pre-COVID period (85 children, 28.3 cases/year, 33.5%). Other significant differences concerned the presence of predisposing factors/concurrent diseases (higher in the pre-COVID period) and previous COVID infection (higher in the post-COVID period). No relevant differences occurred as far as demographic, microbiological, clinical, radiological, outcome, morbidity, and mortality data were concerned. Paranasal sinuses and middle ear/mastoid were the most involved primary site of infection (71% and 27%, respectively), while extradural or subdural empyema and brain abscess were the most common ICSO (73% and 17%, respectively). Surgery was required in 95% of cases (neurosurgical and ENT procedure in 71% and 62% of cases, respectively) while antibiotics in 99% of cases. After a 12.4-month follow-up, a full clinical and radiological recovery was obtained in 85% and 84% of cases, respectively. The mortality rate was 2.7%. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the occurrence of ICSO was significantly increased after the pandemic. Such an increase seems to be related to the indirect effects of the pandemic (e.g., immunity debt) rather than to a direct effect of COVID infection or to seasonal fluctuations. ICSO remain challenging diseases but the pandemic did not affect the management strategies nor their prognosis. The epidemiological change of sinusitis/otitis and ICSO should alert about the appropriate follow-up of children with sinusitis/otitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Massimi
- Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neuroscience-Sense Organs-Chest Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University Medical School, Rome, Italy
| | - G Cinalli
- Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, AORN, Naples, Italy
| | - P Frassanito
- Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neuroscience-Sense Organs-Chest Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - V Arcangeli
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - C Auer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Kepler University Hospital GmbH, Linz, Austria
| | - V Baro
- Pediatric and Functional Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - A Bartoli
- Department of Neurosurgery, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - F Bianchi
- Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neuroscience-Sense Organs-Chest Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - S Dietvorst
- University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - F Di Rocco
- Hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - P Gallo
- Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - F Giordano
- University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - J Hinojosa
- Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Iglesias
- Hospital Regional Universitario de Malaga, Malaga, Spain
| | - V Jecko
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - G Kahilogullari
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - F Knerlich-Lukoschus
- Division Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - R Laera
- Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, AORN, Naples, Italy
| | - D Locatelli
- Neurosurgery Department, Università Dell'Insubria, Ospedale di Circolo e Macchi Foundation, Varese, Italy
| | - D Luglietto
- Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - M Luzi
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - R Mura
- Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - P Ragazzi
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ospedale Infantile Regina Margherita, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - L Riffaud
- Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - J Roth
- Dana Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - A Sagarribay
- Hospital Dona Estefânia-Centro Hospitalar Universitário, Lisboa, Portugal
- Hospital CUF Descobertas, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M Santos Pinheiro
- Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte-Hospital Santa Maria, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - P Spazzapan
- University Medical Center-Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - P Spennato
- Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, AORN, Naples, Italy
| | - N Syrmos
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - L Valentini
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - M L Van Veelen
- Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - M Zucchelli
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Istituto Scienze Neurologiche Di Bologna, Boulogne, Italy
| | - G Tamburrini
- Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neuroscience-Sense Organs-Chest Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University Medical School, Rome, Italy
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Chuang HJ, Lin CW, Hsiao MY, Wang TG, Liang HW. Long COVID and rehabilitation. J Formos Med Assoc 2024; 123 Suppl 1:S61-S69. [PMID: 37061399 PMCID: PMC10101546 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2023.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused tremendous morbidity and mortality worldwide. The large number of post-COVID survivors has drawn attention to the management of post-COVID condition, known as long COVID. This review examines current knowledge of long COVID, regarding its epidemiology, mechanism, and clinical presentations in both adults and children. We also review the rehabilitation principles, modules, and effects, and share Taiwan's efforts to provide a top-down, nationwide care framework for long COVID patients. Dyspnea, chronic cough, and fatigue are the most commonly reported symptoms in the first 6 months after infection, but cognitive impairment and psychological symptoms may persist beyond this time. Several possible mechanisms behind these symptoms were proposed, but remained unconfirmed. These symptoms negatively impact individuals' function, activities, participation and quality of life. Rehabilitation is a key element of management to achieve functional improvement. Early management should start with comprehensive evaluation and identification of red flags. Exercise-based therapy, an essential part of management of long COVID, can be conducted with different modules, including telerehabilitation. Post-exertional symptom exacerbation and orthostatic hypotension should be carefully monitored during exercise. Randomized control trials with a large sample size are needed to determine the optimal timing, dosage, and modules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Jui Chuang
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital and College Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chia-Wei Lin
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital and College Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ming-Yen Hsiao
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital and College Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tyng-Guey Wang
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital and College Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Huey-Wen Liang
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital and College Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, ROC.
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Körner RW, Bansemir OY, Franke R, Sturm J, Dafsari HS. Atopy and Elevation of IgE, IgG3, and IgG4 May Be Risk Factors for Post COVID-19 Condition in Children and Adolescents. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1598. [PMID: 37892261 PMCID: PMC10605545 DOI: 10.3390/children10101598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection causes transient cardiorespiratory and neurological disorders, and severe acute illness is rare among children. Post COVID-19 condition (PCC) may cause profound, persistent phenotypes with increasing prevalence. Its manifestation and risk factors remain elusive. In this monocentric study, we hypothesized that atopy, the tendency to produce an exaggerated immunoglobulin E (IgE) immune response, is a risk factor for the manifestation of pediatric PCC. We present a patient cohort (n = 28) from an early pandemic period (2021-2022) with comprehensive evaluations of phenotypes, pulmonary function, and molecular investigations. PCC predominantly affected adolescents and presented with fatigue, dyspnea, and post-exertional malaise. Sensitizations to aeroallergens were found in 93% of cases. We observed elevated IgE levels (mean 174.2 kU/L, reference < 100 kU/L) regardless of disease severity. Concurrent Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) was found in 29% of patients that also faced challenges in school attendance. ME/CFS manifestation was significantly associated with elevated immunoglobulin G subclasses IgG3 (p < 0.05) and IgG4 (p < 0.05). A total of 57% of patients showed self-limiting disease courses with mean recovery at 12.7 months (range 5-25 months), 29% at 19.2 months (range 12-30 months), and the rest demonstrated overall improvement. These findings offer additional insights into immune dysregulation as a risk factor for pediatric PCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Walter Körner
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Ole Yannick Bansemir
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Rosa Franke
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Julius Sturm
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Hormos Salimi Dafsari
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Rare Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Max-Planck-Institute for Biology of Ageing, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
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Miraglia Del Giudice M, Klain A, Dinardo G, D'Addio E, Bencivenga CL, Fontanella C, Decimo F, Umano GR, Siciliano M, Carotenuto M, Indolfi C. Behavioral and Sleep Disorders in Children and Adolescents following COVID-19 Disease: A Case-Control Study. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1189. [PMID: 37508686 PMCID: PMC10378309 DOI: 10.3390/children10071189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent studies show that neuropsychiatric disorders are the most frequent sequelae of COVID-19 in children. PURPOSE Our work aimed to evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on behavior and sleep in children and adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS We enrolled 107 patients aged 1.5-18 years who contracted COVID-19 between one year and one month prior to data collection, referred to the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli in Italy. We asked their parents to complete two standardized questionnaires for the assessment of behavior (Child Behavior CheckList (CBCL)) and sleep (Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SLDS)). We analysed and compared the results with a control group (pre-COVID-19 pandemic). RESULTS In the COVID-19 group, the major results were found for sleep breathing disorders, sleep-wake transition disorders and disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep for the SDSC questionnaire, and internalizing scale, total scale and anxiety/depression for the CBCL questionnaire. The comparison of the CBCL results of the cases with the controls revealed statistically significant differences for the following items: internalizing scale, externalizing scale, somatic complaints, total score, thought problems [(p < 0.01)], anxious/depressed problems and withdrawn [(p < 0.001)]. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 has impacted children's and adolescents' mental health. Adolescents were the most affected patient group for internalizing problems, including anxiety and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Miraglia Del Giudice
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Klain
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Giulio Dinardo
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Elisabetta D'Addio
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Lucia Bencivenga
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Cristina Fontanella
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Mental Health, Physical and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Caserta, Italy
| | - Fabio Decimo
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Rosaria Umano
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Margherita Siciliano
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Mental Health, Physical and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Caserta, Italy
| | - Marco Carotenuto
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Mental Health, Physical and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Caserta, Italy
| | - Cristiana Indolfi
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
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Sedik RNM. The clinical course and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in children: a 24-week follow-up study in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq. BMC Pediatr 2023; 23:303. [PMID: 37330479 PMCID: PMC10276471 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-023-04111-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Most children infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus have asymptomatic or mild disease with a short clinical course and excellent outcome; meanwhile, some children experienced persisting symptoms lasting > 12 weeks from the COVID-19 infection diagnosis. This study aimed to define the acute clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and outcomes in children after recovery. This prospective cohort study was conducted on 105 children (aged < 16 years) with confirmed COVID-19 infection at Jamal Ahmed Rashid Teaching Hospital, Sulaimaniyah, Iraq, from July to September 2021. The symptomatic and suspicious cases of COVID-19 infection in children were confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on nasopharyngeal swabs. About 85.6% of children fully recovered at ≤ 4 weeks from initial COVID-19 infection diagnosis, 42% were hospitalized, while 15.2% reported long COVID-19 infection symptoms. The most commonly reported symptoms were fatigue (7.1%), hair fall (4.0%), lack of concentration (3.0%), and abdominal pain (2.0%). Children aged 11-16 showed a greater risk of long-term COVID-19 infection symptoms. We also observed a higher risk of long COVID infection symptoms in those who reported ongoing symptoms at 4-6 weeks of follow-up assessment (p = 0.01). Despite mild disease and complete recovery in most children, many suffered from long COVID infection symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rozhan Nabaz Mohammed Sedik
- Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimaniyah, Iraq.
- Dr Jamal Ahmed Rashid Pediatric Teaching Hospital, Sulaimaniyah, Iraq.
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Sansone F, Pellegrino GM, Caronni A, Bonazza F, Vegni E, Lué A, Bocci T, Pipolo C, Giusti G, Di Filippo P, Di Pillo S, Chiarelli F, Sferrazza Papa GF, Attanasi M. Long COVID in Children: A Multidisciplinary Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:1990. [PMID: 37370884 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13121990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Long COVID syndrome has emerged as a long-lasting consequence of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults. In addition, children may be affected by Long COVID, with potential clinical issues in different fields, including problems in school performance and daily activities. Yet, the pathophysiologic bases of Long COVID in children are largely unknown, and it is difficult to predict who will develop the syndrome. In this multidisciplinary clinical review, we summarise the latest scientific data regarding Long COVID and its impact on children. Special attention is given to diagnostic tests, in order to help the physicians to find potential disease markers and quantify impairment. Specifically, we assess the respiratory, upper airways, cardiac, neurologic and motor and psychological aspects. Finally, we also propose a multidisciplinary clinical approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Antonio Caronni
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Ospedale San Luca, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Bonazza
- Department of Health Sciences, Clinical Psychology, University of Milan, Via di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Vegni
- Department of Health Sciences, Clinical Psychology, University of Milan, Via di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy
- Unit of Clinical Psychology, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Via di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Lué
- Service of Digestive Diseases, University Clinic Hospital Lozano Blesa, IIS Aragón, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Tommaso Bocci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20146 Milan, Italy
- Clinical Neurology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Santi Paolo e Carlo", University of Milan, 20146 Milan, Italy
| | - Carlotta Pipolo
- Department of Health Sciences, Otorhinolaryngology Department, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuliano Giusti
- Paediatric Cardiology Unit, Niguarda Hospital, 20162 Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Di Filippo
- Paediatric Allergy and Pulmonology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Sabrina Di Pillo
- Paediatric Allergy and Pulmonology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Francesco Chiarelli
- Paediatric Allergy and Pulmonology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | | | - Marina Attanasi
- Paediatric Allergy and Pulmonology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
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8
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Pellegrino R, Chiappini E, Licari A, Galli L, Marseglia GL. Prevalence and clinical presentation of long COVID in children: a systematic review. Eur J Pediatr 2022; 181:3995-4009. [PMID: 36107254 PMCID: PMC9476461 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-022-04600-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
A systematic literature review was conducted up to 15th February 2022 to summarize long COVID evidence and to assess prevalence and clinical presentation in children and adolescents. Articles reporting long COVID prevalence and symptoms based on original data in the paediatric population were included. Case series quality was assessed through the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. For observational studies, adherence to STROBE checklist was evaluated. Twenty-two articles were included: 19 observational studies (12 cohort/7 cross-sectional) and 3 case series. Nine studies provided a control group. We found a high variability in terms of prevalence (1.6-70%). The most frequently reported symptoms were fatigue (2-87%), headache (3.5-80%), arthro-myalgias (5.4-66%), chest tightness or pain (1.4-51%), and dyspnoea (2-57.1%). Five studies reported limitations in daily function due to long COVID. Alterations at brain imaging were described in one study, transient electrocardiographic abnormalities were described in a minority of children, while most authors did not evidence long-term pulmonary sequelae. Older age, female sex, and previous long-term pathological conditions were more frequently associated with persistent symptoms. CONCLUSION Long COVID evidence in children is limited, heterogeneous, and based on low-quality studies. The lockdown consequences are difficult to distinguish from long COVID symptoms. High-quality studies are required: WHO definition of long COVID should be used, controlled clinical studies should be encouraged, and the impact of new variants on long COVID prevalence should be investigated to ensure an objective analysis of long COVID characteristics in children and a proper allocation of healthcare system resources. WHAT IS KNOWN • Children rarely develop a severe respiratory disease in the acute phase of COVID-19. • A limited number of patients develop a multisystem inflammatory condition that can lead to multiorgan failure and shock. WHAT IS NEW • Persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection are reported in children and limitations in daily function due to long COVID symptoms affect school attendance. • Functional complaints of post-acute COVID are difficult to be distinguished from those due to social restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Pellegrino
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Chiappini
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
| | - Amelia Licari
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic, and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Pediatric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Luisa Galli
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Gian Luigi Marseglia
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic, and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Pediatric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
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9
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Miraglia del Giudice M, Indolfi C, Dinardo G, Decimo F, Decimo A, Klain A. Vitamin D status can affect COVID-19 outcomes also in pediatric population. PHARMANUTRITION 2022; 22:100319. [PMID: 36268528 PMCID: PMC9562619 DOI: 10.1016/j.phanu.2022.100319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Background vitamin D influences the immune system and the inflammatory response. It is known that vitamin D supplementation reduces the risk of acute respiratory tract infection. In the last two years, many researchers have investigated vitamin D's role in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 disease. Results the findings obtained from clinical trials and systematic reviews highlight that most patients with COVID-19 have decreased vitamin D levels and low levels of vitamin D increase the risk of severe disease. This evidence seems to be also confirmed in the pediatric population. Conclusions further studies (systematic review and meta-analysis) conducted on children are needed to confirm that vitamin D affects COVID-19 outcomes and to determine the effectiveness of supplementation and the appropriate dose, duration and mode of administration.
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Key Words
- , IFN-γ, reduce interferon-gamma
- , RAS, renin-angiotensin system
- ACE2, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
- CI, confidence interval
- COVID-19
- Children
- DAMPs, damage-associated molecular patterns
- DCs, dendritic cells
- HR, Hazard Risk
- ICU, intensive care unit
- IL, interleukin
- IgE, immunoglobulin E
- Immunity
- MD, mean difference
- NK, natural killer
- OR, odds ratio
- PAMPs, pathogen-associated molecular patterns
- PRRs, pattern recognition receptors
- RCTs, randomized control trials
- RR, risk ratio
- SARS-CoV-2 infection
- TLRs, Toll-like receptors
- TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α
- Treg cells, CD, regulatory T cellcluster of differentiation
- VDRs, vitamin D receptors
- Vitamin D
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Miraglia del Giudice
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy,Correspondence to: Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Luigi de Crecchio, 4, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Cristiana Indolfi
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Giulio Dinardo
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio Decimo
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Decimo
- Department of Mental, Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Klain
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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10
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Global prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome among long COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Biopsychosoc Med 2022; 16:21. [PMID: 36274177 PMCID: PMC9589726 DOI: 10.1186/s13030-022-00250-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic fatigue syndrome is a persistent and debilitating disorder. According to several studies, chronic fatigue syndrome has been identified among recovered COVID-19 patients as the most common symptom of long COVID. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis study was to obtain the prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome in long COVID cases. Methods In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we analysed reported results of studies that assessed the occurrence of chronic fatigue syndrome among COVID-19 patients four weeks after the onset of symptoms. The study selection was commenced by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, Embase, and Google scholar using the keywords of Chronic fatigue syndrome, COVID-19, and post-COVID-19 syndrome. The searches were without a lower time limit and until April 2022. Heterogeneity of studies was assessed using the I2 index, and a random effects model was used for analysis. Data analysis was performed within the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (version 2). Results The pooled prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome four weeks after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms, in 52 studies with a sample size of 127,117, was 45.2% (95% CI: 34.1-56.9%). Meta-regression analysis in examining the effects of the two factors of sample size, and year of study on the changes in the overall prevalence, showed that with increasing sample size, and year of study, the prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome among long COVID patients (p < 0.05). Conclusion Our results show that the overall prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome as a long COVID symptom is 45.2%. Chronic fatigue after infection with COVID-19 can negatively affect personal and social lives. Given such significant negative consequences caused by the syndrome, it is recommended that health policymakers allocate funds to reduce the adverse effects of this syndrome, by creating programs to support long COVID patients.
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11
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Malone LA, Morrow A, Chen Y, Curtis D, de Ferranti SD, Desai M, Fleming TK, Giglia TM, Hall TA, Henning E, Jadhav S, Johnston AM, Kathirithamby DRC, Kokorelis C, Lachenauer C, Li L, Lin HC, Locke T, MacArthur C, Mann M, McGrath-Morrow SA, Ng R, Ohlms L, Risen S, Sadreameli SC, Sampsel S, Tejtel SKS, Silver JK, Simoneau T, Srouji R, Swami S, Torbey S, Gutierrez MV, Williams CN, Zimmerman LA, Vaz LE. Multi-disciplinary collaborative consensus guidance statement on the assessment and treatment of postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) in children and adolescents. PM R 2022; 14:1241-1269. [PMID: 36169159 PMCID: PMC9538628 DOI: 10.1002/pmrj.12890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Malone
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Amanda Morrow
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Yuxi Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States
| | - Donna Curtis
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado School of Medicine Aurora, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Sarah D de Ferranti
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Monika Desai
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein School of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States
| | - Talya K Fleming
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute at Hackensack Meridian Health, Edison, New Jersey, United States
| | - Therese M Giglia
- Director of the Center on Cardiac Anticoagulation and Thrombosis and Director of the Infant Single Ventricle Monitoring Program, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Trevor A Hall
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Ellen Henning
- Department of Behavioral Psychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sneha Jadhav
- Psychiatric Mental Health Program, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Alicia M Johnston
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Dona Rani C Kathirithamby
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, United States
| | - Christina Kokorelis
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University and Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Catherine Lachenauer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Lilun Li
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Henry C Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Tran Locke
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Baylor College of Medicine Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Carol MacArthur
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon, Portland
| | - Michelle Mann
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Sharon A McGrath-Morrow
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania
| | - Rowena Ng
- Neuropsychology Department, Kennedy Krieger Institute; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Laurie Ohlms
- Department of Otolaryngology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Sarah Risen
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - S Christy Sadreameli
- Eudowood Division of Pediatric Respiratory Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Sarah Sampsel
- SLSampsel Consulting, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
| | - S Kristen Sexson Tejtel
- Pediatric Cardiology, Texas Children's Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Julie K Silver
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Tregony Simoneau
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Rasha Srouji
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Sanjeev Swami
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Souraya Torbey
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Monica Verduzco Gutierrez
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Long School of Medicine at UT Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States
| | - Cydni Nicole Williams
- Oregon Health & Science University, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Pediatric Critical Care and Neurotrauma Recovery Program, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | | | - Louise Elaine Vaz
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
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12
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Brindisi G, Spalice A, Anania C, Bonci F, Gori A, Capponi M, Cinicola B, De Castro G, Martinelli I, Pulvirenti F, Matera L, Mancino E, Guido CA, Zicari AM. COVID-19, Anosmia, and Allergies: Is There a Relationship? A Pediatric Perspective. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11175019. [PMID: 36078947 PMCID: PMC9457095 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11175019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Between June and July 2020, we evaluated children and adolescents concerning post-infection surveillance after a COVID-19 positivity during the lockdown. We aimed to assess whether the anamnestic presence of allergies could correlate with the presence of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms, and in particular with anosmia. Material and methods: For each patient, we collected anamnestic data, the presence of allergies documented by performing skin prick tests, and COVID-19 symptoms. Then, if over six years of age, each patient underwent an active anterior rhinomanometry. Results: A total of 296 patients were enrolled, of whom 105 (35.4%) reported allergies. Considering COVID-19 symptoms, 74 subjects (25%) presented an asymptomatic form, 222 (75%) reported symptoms, and anosmia recurred in 60 subjects (27.03%). A statistically significant relationship was found between allergies and symptomatic COVID-19 (p = 0.042), allergies, and anosmia (p = 0.05), and allergies and anosmia in males (p = 0.007). Moreover, anosmic patients presented a higher body mass index, older age, and a longer COVID-19 duration with statistical significance (p = 0.001, 0.001, 0.006, respectively). Conclusions: Allergic subjects seem to develop symptomatic COVID-19 more frequently and allergies appear to be a protective factor from anosmia’s onset in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Brindisi
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-49979333
| | - Alberto Spalice
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Anania
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Flaminia Bonci
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gori
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Capponi
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca Cinicola
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna De Castro
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Ivana Martinelli
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Pulvirenti
- Primary Immune Deficiencies Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Umberto I, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Matera
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Enrica Mancino
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiana Alessia Guido
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Zicari
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
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13
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Brindisi G, Di Marino VP, Olivero F, De Canditiis D, De Castro G, Zicari AM, Anania C. Effects of COVID-19 lockdown on weight in a cohort of allergic children and adolescents. Ital J Pediatr 2022; 48:88. [PMID: 35689248 PMCID: PMC9187144 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-022-01273-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 lockdown caused sudden changes in people's lifestyle, as a consequence of the forced lockdown imposed by governments all over the world. We aimed to evaluate the impact of lockdown on body mass index (BMI) in a cohort of allergic children and adolescents. METHODS From the first of June until the end of October 2020, we submitted a written questionnaire to all the patients who, after lockdown, carried out a visit at the Pediatric Allergy Unit of the Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome. The questionnaire was composed by 10 questions, referring to the changes in their daily activities. Data were extrapolated from the questionnaire and then analyzed considering six variables: BMI before and BMI after lockdown, sugar intake, sport, screens, sleep, and anxiety. RESULTS One hundred fifty-three patients agreed to answer our questionnaire. Results showed a statistically significant increase in the BMI after lockdown (20.97 kg/m2 ± 2.63) with respect to the BMI before lockdown (19.18 kg/m2 ± 2.70). A multivariate regression analysis showed that the two variables that mostly influenced the increase in BMI were sleep and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS For the analyzed cohort of allergic children and adolescents we obtained significant gain in BMI as consequences of lockdown, which can be explained by many factors: high consumption of consolatory food, less sport activities, more time spent in front of screens, sleep alteration associated with increased anxiety. All these factors acted together, although sleep alteration and increased anxiety were the most influential factors that led to the worsening or the onset of weight gain, creating the basis for future health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Brindisi
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Francesca Olivero
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCSS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Giovanna De Castro
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Zicari
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Anania
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
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14
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Serial Changes of Long COVID Symptoms and Clinical Utility of Serum Antibody Titers for Evaluation of Long COVID. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11051309. [PMID: 35268400 PMCID: PMC8911256 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11051309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Various symptoms persist even after the acute symptoms in about one third of patients with COVID-19. In February 2021, we established an outpatient clinic in a university hospital for patients with long COVID and started medical treatment for sequelae that persisted one month or more after infection. Methods: To determine the key factors that affect the onset and clinical course of sequelae, a retrospective analysis was performed at Okayama University Hospital (Japan) between February and July 2021. We focused on changes in the numbers of symptoms and the background of the patients during a three-month period from the first outpatient visit. We also examined the relationship with SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers. Results: Information was obtained from medical records for 65 patients. The symptoms of sequelae were diverse, with more than 20 types. The most frequent symptoms were general malaise, dysosmia, dysgeusia, sleeplessness, and headache. These symptoms improved in about 60% of the patients after 3 months. Patients who required hospitalization and had a poor condition in the acute phase and patients who received oxygen/dexamethasone therapy had higher antibody titers at the time of consultation. Patients with antibody titers ≥200 U/mL showed significantly fewer improvements in long COVID symptoms in 1 month, but they showed improvements at 3 months after the first visit. Conclusion: Long COVID symptoms were improved at 3 months after the initial visit in more than half of the patients. Serum antibody titers were higher in patients who experienced a severe acute phase, but the serum antibody titers did not seem to be directly related to the long-term persistence of long COVID symptoms.
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