Pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza was associated with pediatric death rates that were 10 times the rates for seasonal influenza in previous years.

Objectives: To estimate burnout prevalence among pediatric residents and to evaluate the impact of a brief intervention aimed at controlling burnout. Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 74 pediatric residents. The Maslach Burnout Inventory was administered to all subjects, and demographic information was gathered (age, gender, children, cohabitants, and residency year). The experimental group (n = 37) participated in self-care workshops over the course of 2 months, and the control group (n = 37) did not receive any intervention. After the intervention, the Maslach Burnout Inventory was administered again to all participants. All potential predictors of burnout were included in a logistic regression model. The efficacy of the intervention was evaluated by the chi-square test. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results:The burnout prevalence among pediatric residents was 66%. After controlling for age, gender, children, and cohabitants, the prevalence of burnout was significantly higher among third-year residents (odds ratio = 11.8; 95% confidence interval 2.3-59.3; p = 0.003). There were no significant differences regarding burnout prevalence in the experimental group between the baseline and post-intervention periods (p = 0.8) or between the two groups after intervention (p = 0.8). The only difference observed was an improvement regarding "depersonalization" in the experimental group (p = 0.031). Conclusions:The burnout prevalence among pediatric residents was 66% and was higher among third-year residents. A brief intervention was not effective in reducing burnout prevalence, despite the achievement of an improvement in "depersonalization."J Pediatr (Rio J). 2011;87(6):493-8: Burnout, professional Resultados: A prevalência de burnout entre residentes pediátricos foi de 66%. Após controle para idade, gênero, filhos e coabitantes, a prevalência de burnout foi maior entre residentes do terceiro ano (razão de chances = 11,8; intervalo de confiança de 95% 2,3-59,3; p = 0,003). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas na prevalência de burnout no grupo experimental entre os períodos inicial e pós-intervenção (p = 0,8) ou entre os dois grupos após a intervenção (p = 0,8). A única diferença observada foi uma melhora quanto à "despersonalização", no grupo experimental (p = 0,031). Conclusões:A prevalência de burnout entre residentes pediátri-cos foi de 66%, sendo maior entre os residentes do terceiro ano. Uma intervenção breve não foi eficaz na redução da prevalência de burnout, apesar da melhora no quesito "despersonalização".J Pediatr (Rio J). 2011;87(6):493-8: Burnout, internato e residência, qualidade de vida. Impact of a brief intervention on the burnout levels of pediatric residents IntroduçãoA síndrome de burnout foi definida como uma resposta negativa ao estresse interpessoal e emocional crônico no ambiente de trabalho, caracterizado por exaustão física, emocional e mental em decorrência da exposição do indivíduo a situações emocionalmente exigentes durante um longo p...

Background Perhaps reflecting that children with COVID-19 rarely exhibit severe respiratory symptoms and often remain asymptomatic, little attention has been paid to explore the immune response in pediatric COVID-19. Here, we analyzed the phenotype and function of circulating neutrophils from children with COVID-19. Methods An observational study including 182 children with COVID-19, 21 children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), and 40 healthy children was performed in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Neutrophil phenotype was analyzed by flow cytometry in blood samples. Cytokine production, plasma levels of IgG antibodies directed to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and citrullinated histone H3 were measured by ELISA. Cell-free DNA was quantified by fluorometry. Findings Compared with healthy controls, neutrophils from children with COVID-19 showed a lower expression of CD11b, CD66b, and L -selectin but a higher expression of the activation markers HLA-DR, CD64 and PECAM-1 and the inhibitory receptors LAIR-1 and PD-L1. No differences in the production of cytokines and NETs were observed. Interestingly, the expression of CD64 in neutrophils and the serum concentration of IgG antibodies directed to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 distinguished asymptomatic from mild and moderate COVID-19. Interpretation Acute lung injury is a prominent feature of severe COVID-19 in adults. A low expression of adhesion molecules together with a high expression of inhibitory receptors in neutrophils from children with COVID-19 might prevent tissue infiltration by neutrophils preserving lung function. Funding This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology (National Agency for Scientific and Technological Promotion, IP-COVID-19-0277 and PMO BID PICT 2018-2548), and University of Buenos Aires from Argentina (20020170100573BA).

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Background: Perhaps reflecting that children with COVID-19 rarely exhibit severe respiratory symptoms and often remain asymptomatic, little attention has been paid to explore the immune response in pediatric COVID-19. Here, we analyzed the phenotype and function of circulating neutrophils from children with COVID-19. Methods: An observational study including 182 children with COVID-19, 21 children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), and 40 healthy children was performed in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Neutrophil phenotype was analyzed by flow cytometry in blood samples. Cytokine production, plasma levels of IgG antibodies directed to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and citrullinated histone H3 were measured by ELISA. Cell-free DNA was quantified by fluorometry. Findings: Compared with healthy controls, neutrophils from children with COVID-19 showed a lower expression of CD11b, CD66b, and L-selectin but a higher expression of the activation markers HLA-DR, CD64 and PECAM-1 and the inhibitory receptors LAIR-1 and PD-L1. No differences in the production of cytokines and NETs were observed. Interestingly, the expression of CD64 in neutrophils and the serum concentration of IgG antibodies directed to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 distinguished asymptomatic from mild and moderate COVID-19. Interpretation: Acute lung injury is a prominent feature of severe COVID-19 in adults. A low expression of adhesion molecules together with a high expression of inhibitory receptors in neutrophils from children with COVID-19 might prevent tissue infiltration by neutrophils preserving lung function.

Severe COVID-19 in children is rare, but the reasons underlying are unclear. Profound alterations in T cell responses have been well characterized in the course of adult severe COVID-19, but little is known about the T cell function in children with COVID-19. Here, we made three major observations in a cohort of symptomatic children with acute COVID-19: 1) a reduced frequency of circulating FoxP3+ regulatory T cells, 2) the prevalence of a TH17 polarizing microenvironment characterized by high plasma levels of IL-6, IL-23, and IL17A, and an increased frequency of CD4+ T cells expressing ROR-γt, the master regulator of TH17 development, and 3) high plasma levels of ATP together with an increased expression of the P2X7 receptor. Moreover, that plasma levels of ATP displayed an inverse correlation with the frequency of regulatory T cells but a positive correlation with the frequency of CD4+ T cells positive for the expression of ROR-γt. Collectively, our data indicate an imbalance in CD4+ T cell profiles during pediatric COVID-19 that might favor the course of inflammatory processes. This finding also suggests a possible role for the extracellular ATP in the acquisition of an inflammatory signature by the T cell compartment offering a novel understanding of the involved mechanisms.

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