Stroke as Presenting Feature of COVID-19 in a Pediatric Patient

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanna Swartwood ◽  
Gary R. Nelson ◽  
Audie C. Espinoza
Keyword(s):  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Acute Onset ◽  
Cerebrovascular Complications ◽  
Novel Virus ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Diagnostic Work ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Work Up

AbstractNeurologic manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus responsible for novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection, have been frequently reported in the adult population but remain relatively rare in pediatric patients, specifically in regard to cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs). We present the case of a previously healthy 16-year-old adolescent boy with no preceding infectious symptoms who developed acute onset of left-sided weakness and slurred speech subsequently diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). After performing a thorough diagnostic work-up, no clear etiology for AIS was identified. He was found to be COVID-19 positive by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction upon admission. Accumulating evidence supports a link between COVID-19 and a systemic prothrombotic state suggesting pediatric patients who present with AIS and no other risk factors should be screened for this novel virus and potentially for extracranial sources of thrombi. As the rates of positive COVID-19 infection increase in the pediatric population, pediatricians and other pediatric subspecialists should be aware of the potential neurological and cerebrovascular complications of this novel virus to avoid delays in evaluation and intervention.

scholarly journals Pediatric Otolaryngology Divisional and Institutional Preparatory Response at Seattle Children’s Hospital after COVID-19 Regional Exposure

2020 ◽  
Vol 162 (6) ◽  
pp. 800-803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjay R. Parikh ◽  
Randall A. Bly ◽  
Juliana Bonilla-Velez ◽  
John P. Dahl ◽  
Sean S. Evans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Practice Patterns ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Adult Case ◽  
Joint Effort ◽  
Ongoing Care ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel coronavirus resulting in high mortality in the adult population but low mortality in the pediatric population. The role children and adolescents play in COVID-19 transmission is unclear, and it is possible that healthy pediatric patients serve as a reservoir for the virus. This article serves as a summary of a single pediatric institution’s response to COVID-19 with the goal of protecting both patients and health care providers while providing ongoing care to critically ill patients who require urgent interventions. A significant limitation of this commentary is that it reflects a single institution’s joint effort at a moment in time but does not take into consideration future circumstances that could change practice patterns. We still hope dissemination of our overall response at this moment, approximately 8 weeks after our region’s first adult case, may benefit other pediatric institutions preparing for COVID-19.

scholarly journals MR-Proadrenomedullin as biomarker of renal damage in urinary tract infection in children

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Peñalver Penedo ◽  
Marta Rupérez Lucas ◽  
Luis Antonio Álvarez-Sala Walther ◽  
Alicia Torregrosa Benavent ◽  
María Luisa Casas Losada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Tract Infection ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Tract Infection ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Roc Curves ◽  
Renal Scintigraphy ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Abstract Background Midregional-proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) is a useful prognostic peptide in severe infectious pathologies in the adult population. However, there are no studies that analyze its utility in febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI) in children. An accurate biomarker would provide an early detection of patients with kidney damage, avoiding other invasive tests like renal scintigraphy scans. Our objective is to study the usefulness of MR-proADM as a biomarker of acute and chronic renal parenchymal damage in fUTI within the pediatric population. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted in pediatric patients with fUTI between January 2015 and December 2018. Plasma and urine MR-proADM levels were measured at admission in addition to other laboratory parameters. After confirmation of fUTI, renal scintigraphy scans were performed during the acute and follow-up stages. A descriptive study has been carried out and sensitivity, specificity and ROC curves for MR-proADM, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin were calculated. Results 62 pediatric patients (34 female) were enrolled. Scintigraphy showed acute pyelonephritis in 35 patients (56.5%). Of those patients, the median of plasmatic MR-proADM (P-MR-proADM) showed no differences compared to patients without pyelonephritis. 7 patients (11.3%) developed renal scars (RS). Their median P-MR-proADM levels were 1.07 nmol/L (IQR 0.66–1.59), while in patients without RS were 0.48 nmol/L (0.43–0.63) (p < 0.01). The AUC in this case was 0.92 (95% CI 0.77–0.99). We established an optimal cut-off point at 0.66 nmol/L with sensitivity 83.3% and specificity 81.8%. Conclusion MR-ProADM has demonstrated a poor ability to diagnose pyelonephritis in pediatric patients with fUTI. However, P-MR-proADM proved to be a very reliable biomarker for RS prediction.

Traumatic brain injury in pediatric patients: evidence for the effectiveness of decompressive surgery

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. E5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Appelboom ◽  
Stephen D. Zoller ◽  
Matthew A. Piazza ◽  
Caroline Szpalski ◽  
Samuel S. Bruce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Pediatric Trauma ◽  
Anatomical Variations ◽  
Decompressive Surgery ◽  
Pediatric Populations ◽  
The Impact

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the current leading cause of death in children over 1 year of age. Adequate management and care of pediatric patients is critical to ensure the best functional outcome in this population. In their controversial trial, Cooper et al. concluded that decompressive craniectomy following TBI did not improve clinical outcome of the analyzed adult population. While the study did not target pediatric populations, the results do raise important and timely clinical questions regarding the effectiveness of decompressive surgery in pediatric patients. There is still a paucity of evidence regarding the effectiveness of this therapy in a pediatric population, and there is an especially noticeable knowledge gap surrounding age-stratified interventions in pediatric trauma. The purposes of this review are to first explore the anatomical variations between pediatric and adult populations in the setting of TBI. Second, the authors assess how these differences between adult and pediatric populations could translate into differences in the impact of decompressive surgery following TBI.

scholarly journals Galactomannan and PCR in the Central Nervous System to Detect Invasive Mold Disease - A Retrospective Analysis in Immunocompromised Children

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Lehrnbecher ◽  
Peter Michael Rath ◽  
Andishe Attarbaschi ◽  
Gunnar Cario ◽  
Michaela Döring ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Infectious Complication ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Pcr Assays ◽  
Work Up

Abstract Invasive mold disease (IMD) of the central nervous system (CNS) is a severe infectious complication in immunocompromised patients, but early microbiological diagnosis is difficult. As data on the value of biomarkers in the CNS are scarce, in particular in children, we retrospectively analyzed the performance of galactomannan (GM) and PCR assays in CNS samples of 15 children with proven and probable CNS IMD and of 32 immunocompromised children without fungal infection. Galactomannan in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was assessed in nine of the 15 pediatric patients and was positive in five of them. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed in eight of the 15 patients and detected nucleic acids from molds in six patients. Galactomannan and PCR in CNS samples were the only positive microbiologic parameter in the CNS in three and two patients, respectively. In four patients, PCR specified the pathogen detected in microscopy. Galactomannan and PCR results remained negative in the CSF of all immunocompromised children without evidence for CNS IMD. Our data suggest that GM and PCR in CNS specimens are valuable additional tools in diagnosing CNS IMD and should be included in the work up of all pediatric patients with suspected mold disease of the CNS.

Feasibility and safety of transradial access for pediatric neurointerventions

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 893-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Visish M Srinivasan ◽  
Caroline C Hadley ◽  
Marc Prablek ◽  
Melissa LoPresti ◽  
Stephanie H Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Safety Data ◽  
Related Complication ◽  
Femoral Access ◽  
Transradial Access ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Procedural Outcomes

BackgroundDiagnostic cerebral angiograms are increasingly being performed by transradial access (TRA) in adults, following data from the coronary literature supporting fewer access-site complications. Despite this ongoing trend in neuroangiography, there has been no discussion of its use in the pediatric population. Pediatric TRA has scarcely been described even for coronary or other applications. This is the first dedicated large study of transradial access for neuroangiography in pediatric patients.MethodsA multi-institutional series of consecutively performed pediatric transradial angiograms and interventions was collected. This included demographic, procedural, outcomes, and safety data. Data was prospectively recorded and retrospectively analyzed.ResultsThirty-seven diagnostic angiograms and 24 interventions were performed in 47 pediatric patients. Mean age, height, and weight was 14.1 years, 158.6 cm, and 57.1 kg, respectively. The radial artery measured 2.09+/-0.54 mm distally, and 2.09+/-0.44 mm proximally. Proximal and distal angiography were performed for both diagnostic and interventional application (17 distal angiograms, two distal interventions). Clinically significant vasospasm occurred in eight patients (13.1%). Re-access was successfully performed 11 times in seven patients. Conversion to femoral access occurred in five cases (8.2%). The only access-related complication was a small asymptomatic wrist hematoma after TR band removal.ConclusionsTransradial access in pediatric patients is safe and feasible. It can be performed successfully in many cases but carries some unique challenges compared with the adult population. Despite the challenge of higher rates of vasospasm and conversion to femoral access, it is worth exploring further, given the potential benefits.

Gamma Knife surgery for cerebral arteriovenous malformations in children: a 13-year experience

2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 296-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Hung-Chi Pan ◽  
Yu-Hung Kuo ◽  
Wan-Yuo Guo ◽  
Wen-Yuh Chung ◽  
Hsiu-Mei Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Gamma Knife Surgery ◽  
Morbidity Rate ◽  
Obliteration Rate

Object Studies on the efficacy of arteriovenous malformation (AVM) radiosurgery have largely been conducted in the adult population. Clinically, the results may not always be applicable to pediatric patients. Moreover, studies involving the pediatric population have largely comprised small- (< 3 cm3) and medium-sized (3–10 cm3) AVMs. For large (> 10 cm3) AVMs in children, sparse radiosurgical results are available. The current study was conducted to further clarify the role of radiosurgery in the treatment of pediatric AVMs. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of data obtained in 105 pediatric patients (< 18 years of age) with cerebral AVMs treated by Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) between 1993 and 2006. For statistical comparison the authors studied data acquired in 458 adult patients with AVMs treated during the same period. The patients underwent follow-up magnetic resonance imaging at 6-month intervals. Cerebral angiography was used to confirm the obliteration of the AVM. Results In pediatric patients, the AVM obliteration rate at 48 months after a primary GKS was 65%. Repeated GKS in those in whom primary treatments failed further ablated some AVMs, for an overall obliteration rate of 81%. The efficacy of GKS correlated with the size of the AVM: 91% for small, 86% for medium, and 64% for large AVMs. The treatments were associated with an 8% morbidity rate and < 1% mortality rate. Posttreatment hemorrhage occurred in 4 (4%) of 105 patients. Obliteration rates at 48 months of small and extremely large (> 20 cm3) AVMs were similar in the pediatric and adult groups, whereas AVMs between 3 and 10 cm3 responded less efficaciously in children (p = 0.042). The AVMs with volumes ranging from 10 to 20 cm3 were also associated with a lower obliteration rate in children at 48 months, but statistical significance was not reached (p = 0.279). Conclusions Gamma Knife surgery is an effective and safe treatment alternative for pediatric AVMs. The medium (3–10-cm3) and large (10–20-cm3) AVMs tend to respond less efficaciously than those of comparable size in adults.

The Value of Contrast Administration in the MRI Evaluation of Scoliosis in the Pediatric Population

2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 844-847
Author(s):  
K. Abul-Kasim ◽  
D. Gomez Hassan ◽  
L. McCormick ◽  
P. Maly ◽  
P.C. Sundgren
Keyword(s):  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Benign Lesions ◽  
Contrast Administration ◽  
Spine Imaging ◽  
Contrast Enhanced ◽  
History Of ◽  
Work Up ◽  
Spine Mri ◽  
Mri Evaluation

The aim of this study was to analyze the added utility of contrast administration for spine MRI in children with scoliosis. A retrospective review of 663 consecutive contrast-enhanced spine MRI performed in 319 patients as part of the work up of scoliosis in children 2–18 years with clinically suspected or known scoliosis over a seven year period. Those patients with known tumors (13 patients) being evaluated for scoliosis were excluded from the study. In 306 patients with scoliosis and no history of tumor pathologic contrast enhancement was seen in seven (2%) patients. Lack of enhancement helped to characterize benign lesions in 31 (10%) of the patients. Although MRI is often recommended to exclude intraspinal pathology in pediatric patients with scoliosis, the need for contrast enhanced imaging is very limited and contrast medium should not be administered unless questionable pathology is detected on noncontrast MR spine imaging.

scholarly journals Smell—Adding a New Dimension to Urinalysis

Biosensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Eva H. Visser ◽  
Daan J. C. Berkhout ◽  
Jiwanjot Singh ◽  
Annemieke Vermeulen ◽  
Niloufar Ashtiani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Bacterial Growth ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Dipstick Urinalysis ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Diagnostic Work ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Work Up

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most common infections in children. The primary tool to detect UTI is dipstick urinalysis; however, this has limited sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, urine culture has to be performed to confirm a UTI. Urinary volatile organic compounds (VOC) may serve as potential biomarker for diagnosing UTI. Previous studies on urinary VOCs focused on detection of UTI in a general population; therefore, this proof-of-principle study was set up in a clinical high-risk pediatric population. Methods: This study was performed at a tertiary nephro-urological clinic. Patients included were 0–18 years, clinically suspected of a UTI, and had abnormal urinalysis. Urine samples were divided into four groups, i.e., urine without bacterial growth, contamination, colonization, and UTI. VOC analysis was performed using an electronic nose (eNose) (Cyranose 320®) and VOC profiles of subgroups were compared. Results: Urinary VOC analysis discriminated between UTI and non-UTI samples (AUC 0.70; p = 0.048; sensitivity 0.67, specificity 0.70). The diagnostic accuracy of VOCs improved when comparing urine without bacterial growth versus with UTI (AUC 0.80; p = 0.009, sensitivity 0.79, specificity 0.75). Conclusions: In an intention-to-diagnose high-risk pediatric population, UTI could be discriminated from non-UTI by VOC profiling, using an eNose. Since eNose can be used as bed-side test, these results suggest that urinary VOC analysis may serve as an adjuvant in the diagnostic work-up of UTI in children.

scholarly journals Evaluation of thyroid nodule in pediatric population in a tertiary care hospital

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 2152
Author(s):  
Mukul Singh ◽  
Manju Kumari
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Nodule ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Needle Aspiration ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Pediatric Age Group ◽  
Thyroid Cytopathology ◽  
Rule Out

Background: Thyroid nodules are commonly present in adult population but are rare in pediatric age group. Inspite of being rare, thyroid nodule have a higher chance of malignancy in children. Thus, pediatric patients presenting with thyroid nodule found clinically or incidentally should be worked up to rule out any possibility of malignancy. The besthesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology (TBSRTC) is widely used for reporting in adults. The present study aims to use TBSRTC for pediatric thyroid lesions reporting.Methods: All pediatric patients with age ≤ 18 years presenting with thyroid nodule during January 2018 to April 2019 were included in the study, fine needle aspiration (FNA) was done and findings were compared with histology. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 18.Results: 42 pediatric patient were included in the study, out of which 2.38% were malignant and suspicious for nmalignant each and 83% were benign.Conclusion: TBSRTC is quite sensitive and specific reporting guideline in pediatric population as in adult population with 100% accuracy in diagnosing benign and malignant cases. This is useful for avoiding unnecessary surgeries.

scholarly journals Back pain and scoliosis in children: When to image, what to consider

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 393-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia F Calloni ◽  
Thierry AGM Huisman ◽  
Andrea Poretti ◽  
Bruno P Soares
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Imaging Approach ◽  
Diagnostic Work ◽  
Work Up ◽  
Comprehensive History

Back pain and scoliosis in children most commonly present as benign and self-limited entities. However, persistent back pain and/or progressive scoliosis should always be taken seriously in children. Dedicated diagnostic work-up should exclude etiologies that may result in significant morbidity. Clinical evaluation and management require a comprehensive history and physical and neurological examination. A correct imaging approach is important to define a clear diagnosis and should be reserved for children with persistent symptoms or concerning clinical and laboratory findings. This article reviews the role of different imaging techniques in the diagnostic approach to back pain and scoliosis, and offers a comprehensive review of the main imaging findings associated with common and uncommon causes of back pain and scoliosis in the pediatric population.

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