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Browsing by Author "Castanhinha, S"

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  • Non-COVID-19 Respiratory Viral Infection
    Publication . Nunes-Silva, C; Vilares, AT; Schweitzer, V; Castanhinha, S; Martins, A; Lopes, MJ; Ascoli-Bartoli, T; Canelas, G; Keir, HR; Cunha, F; Silva-Pinto, A; Rebelo, S; Cunha, RG; Tavares, M
    Implemented control measures brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have changed the prevalence of other respiratory viruses, often relegating them to a secondary plan. However, it must not be forgotten that a diverse group of viruses, including other human coronaviruses, rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumoviruses, parainfluenza and influenza, continue to be responsible for a large burden of disease. In fact, they are among the most common causes of acute upper and lower respiratory tract infections globally. Viral respiratory infections can be categorised in several ways, including by clinical syndrome or aetiological agent. We describe their clinical spectrum. Distinctive imaging features, advances in microbiological diagnosis and treatment of severe forms are also discussed.
    2022Journal article Open access Show more
  • Presentations of Children to Emergency Departments Across Europe and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multinational Observational Study
    Publication . Nijman, RG; Honeyford, K; Farrugia, R; Rose, K; Bognar, Z; Buonsenso, D; Da Dalt, L; De, T; Maconochie, IK; Parri, N; Roland, D; Alfven, T; Aupiais, C; Barrett, M; Basmaci, R; Borensztajn, D; Castanhinha, S; Vasilico, C; Durnin, S; Fitzpatrick, P; Fodor, L; Gomez, B; Greber-Platzer, S; Guedj, R; Hartshorn, S; Hey, F; Jankauskaite, L; Kohlfuerst, D; Kolnik, M; Lyttle, MD; Mação, P; Mascarenhas, MI; Messahel, S; Özkan, EA; Pučuka, Z; Reis, S; Rybak, A; Ryd Rinder, M; Teksam, O; Turan, C; Thors, VS; Velasco, R; Bressan, S; Moll, HA; Oostenbrink, R; Titomanlio, L
    Background: During the initial phase of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, reduced numbers of acutely ill or injured children presented to emergency departments (EDs). Concerns were raised about the potential for delayed and more severe presentations and an increase in diagnoses such as diabetic ketoacidosis and mental health issues. This multinational observational study aimed to study the number of children presenting to EDs across Europe during the early COVID-19 pandemic and factors influencing this and to investigate changes in severity of illness and diagnoses. Methods and findings: Routine health data were extracted retrospectively from electronic patient records of children aged 18 years and under, presenting to 38 EDs in 16 European countries for the period January 2018 to May 2020, using predefined and standardized data domains. Observed and predicted numbers of ED attendances were calculated for the period February 2020 to May 2020. Poisson models and incidence rate ratios (IRRs), using predicted counts for each site as offset to adjust for case-mix differences, were used to compare age groups, diagnoses, and outcomes. Reductions in pediatric ED attendances, hospital admissions, and high triage urgencies were seen in all participating sites. ED attendances were relatively higher in countries with lower SARS-CoV-2 prevalence (IRR 2.26, 95% CI 1.90 to 2.70, p < 0.001) and in children aged <12 months (12 to <24 months IRR 0.86, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.89; 2 to <5 years IRR 0.80, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.82; 5 to <12 years IRR 0.68, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.70; 12 to 18 years IRR 0.72, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.74; versus age <12 months as reference group, p < 0.001). The lowering of pediatric intensive care admissions was not as great as that of general admissions (IRR 1.30, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.45, p < 0.001). Lower triage urgencies were reduced more than higher triage urgencies (urgent triage IRR 1.10, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.12; emergent and very urgent triage IRR 1.53, 95% CI 1.49 to 1.57; versus nonurgent triage category, p < 0.001). Reductions were highest and sustained throughout the study period for children with communicable infectious diseases. The main limitation was the retrospective nature of the study, using routine clinical data from a wide range of European hospitals and health systems. Conclusions: Reductions in ED attendances were seen across Europe during the first COVID-19 lockdown period. More severely ill children continued to attend hospital more frequently compared to those with minor injuries and illnesses, although absolute numbers fell.
    2022Journal article Open access Show more