In rare instances, pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection results in a novel immunodysregulation syndrome termed multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). We compared MIS-C immunopathology with severe COVID-19 in adults. MIS-C does not result in pneumocyte damage but is associated with vascular endotheliitis and gastrointestinal epithelial injury. In MIS-C, the cytokine release syndrome is characterized by IFNγ and not type I interferon. Persistence of patrolling monocytes differentiates MIS-C from severe COVID-19, which is dominated by HLA-DRlo classical monocytes. IFNγ levels correlate with granzyme B production in CD16+ NK cells and TIM3 expression on CD38+/HLA-DR+ T cells. Single-cell TCR profiling reveals a skewed TCRβ repertoire enriched for TRBV11-2 and a superantigenic signature in TIM3+/CD38+/HLA-DR+ T cells. Using NicheNet, we confirm IFNγ as a central cytokine in the communication between TIM3+/CD38+/HLA-DR+ T cells, CD16+ NK cells, and patrolling monocytes. Normalization of IFNγ, loss of TIM3, quiescence of CD16+ NK cells, and contraction of patrolling monocytes upon clinical resolution highlight their potential role in MIS-C immunopathogenesis.

Given the number of centers and subjects included in the database, these findings provide a robust description of current practice regarding the use of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation for pediatric hypoxic respiratory failure. Patients with severe hypoxic respiratory failure and immunocompromise had the highest mortality risk, and those with respiratory syncytial virus had the lowest. A means of identifying the risk of 30-day mortality for subjects can be obtained by identifying the underlying disease and oxygenation index on conventional ventilation preceding the initiation of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.

Background: Early mobilization of adults receiving intensive care improves health outcomes, yet little is known about mobilization practices in paediatric intensive care units (PICUs). We aimed to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with physical rehabilitation in PICUs across Europe. Methods: A 2-day, cross-sectional, multicentre point prevalence study was conducted in May and November 2018. The primary outcome was the prevalence of physical therapy (PT)-or occupational therapy (OT)-provided mobility. Clinical data and data on patient mobility, potential mobility safety events, and mobilization barriers were prospectively collected in patients admitted for ≥72 h. Results: Data of 456 children admitted to one of 38 participating PICUs from 15 European countries were collected (456 patient days); 70% were under 3 years of age. The point prevalence of PT-and/or OT-provided mobility activities was 39% (179/456) (95% CI 34.7-43.9%) during the patient days, with significant differences between European regions. Nurses were involved in 72% (924/1283) of the mobility events; in the remaining 28%, PT/OT, physicians, family members, or other professionals were involved. Of the factors studied, family presence was most strongly positively associated with out-of-bed mobilization (aOR 7.83, 95% CI 3.09-19.79). Invasive mechanical ventilation with an endotracheal tube was negatively associated with out-of-bed mobility (aOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.12-0.68). Patients were completely immobile on 25% (115/456) of patient days. Barriers to mobilization were reported on 38% of patient days. The most common reported patient-related barriers were cardiovascular instability (n = 47, 10%), oversedation (n = 39, 9%), and medical contraindication (n = 37, 8%). Potential safety events occurred in 6% of all documented mobilization events. Conclusion: Therapists are infrequently consulted for mobilization of critically ill children in European PICUs. This study highlights the need for a systematic and interdisciplinary mobilization approach for critically ill children.

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Human beings are constituted mainly of water. In particular, children's total body water might reach 75-80% of their body weight, compared to 60-70% in adults. It is therefore not surprising, that children, especially hospitalized newborns and infants, are markedly prone to water and electrolyte imbalances. Parenteral fluid therapy is a cornerstone of medical treatment and is thus of exceptional relevance in this patient population. It is crucial to appreciate the fact that intravenous fluids are drugs with very different characteristics, different indications, contraindications and relevant side effects. In the present review, we will summarize the physiology and pathophysiology of water and electrolyte balance, underlining the importance and high prevalence of non-osmotic antidiuretic hormone release in hospitalized and critically ill children. Furthermore, we will discuss the characteristics and potential side effects of available crystalloids for the paediatric population, making a clear distinction between fluids that are hypotonic or isotonic as compared to normal plasma. Finally, we will review the current clinical practice regarding the use of different parenteral fluids in children, outlining both the current consensus on fluids employed for resuscitation and replacement and the ongoing debate concerning parenteral maintenance fluids.

We report on the unusual cytogenetic findings in a newborn boy with severe hydrops fetalis. He has a mosaic for 2 unbalanced chromosome rearrangements: a der(18)-t(4;18)(q31;q23) and a der(18)t(4;18)(q31;p11). As a result, this patient had a duplication of 4q31-qter in all cells, and was possibly monosomic for the distal ends of 18p and 18q, respectively in the 2 cell lines. Since in both rearrangements the same chromosome 4 segment was translocated to 2 different chromosome regions, we consider the present finding as a peculiar type of jumping translocation.

We hypothesized that most patients with severe pulmonary COVID-19 were exposed to cough aerosols. Among patients that were almost 100% certain which person infected them, only 14 out of 38 overall, and 9 out of 25 hospitalized patients requiring supplemental oxygen, were infected by someone who coughed, which did not support our hypothesis. Talking, especially with a loud voice, could be an alternative source generating SARS-CoV-2 aerosols. Further research is needed to determine how SARS-CoV-2 spreads. Avoiding to talk when you are not wearing your mask and not talking with a loud voice, ‘voice etiquette’, could be other public health interventions worthwhile exploring.

Half a year after the emergence of COVID-19, research is still going on to gain insight in the importance of different SARS-CoV-2 transmission routes and their impact on the clinical picture of COVID-19. Our findings suggest that coughing is not as important for transmission as initially anticipated and we discuss the potentially important role for loud conversation as a driver for transmission.