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Background The clinical presentation and severity of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children associated with COVID-19 (MIS-C) is widespread and presents a very low mortality rate in high-income countries. This research describes the clinical characteristics of MIS-C in critically ill children in middle-income countries and the factors associated with the rate of mortality and patients with critical outcomes. Methods An observational cohort study was conducted in 14 pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in Colombia between April 01, 2020, and January 31, 2021. Patient age ranged between one month and 18 years, and each patient met the requirements set forth by the World Health Organization (WHO) for MIS-C. Results There were seventy-eight children in this study. The median age was seven years (IQR 1-11), 18 % (14/78) were under one year old, and 56 % were male. 35 % of patients (29/78) were obese or overweight. The PICU stay per individual was six days (IQR 4-7), and 100 % had a fever upon arrival to the clinic lasting at least five days (IQR 3.7-6). 70 % (55/78) of patients had diarrhea, and 87 % (68/78) had shock or systolic myocardial dysfunction (78 %). Coronary aneurysms were found in 35 % (27/78) of cases, and pericardial effusion was found in 36 %. When compared to existing data in high-income countries, there was a higher mortality rate observed (9 % vs. 1.8 %; p=0.001). When assessing the group of patients that did not survive, a higher frequency of ferritin levels was found, above 500 ngr/mL (100 % vs. 45 %; p=0.012), as well as more cardiovascular complications (100 % vs. 54 %; p = 0.019) when compared to the group that survived. The main treatments received were immunoglobulin (91 %), vasoactive support (76 %), steroids (70.5 %) and antiplatelets (44 %). Conclusions Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children due to SARS-CoV-2 in critically ill children living in a middle-income country has some clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic characteristics similar to those described in high-income countries. The observed inflammatory response and cardiovascular involvement were conditions that, added to the later presentation, may explain the higher mortality seen in these children.

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of and risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia in individuals greater than 65 years of age in Cumbayá, Quito, Ecuador.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional observational study that was carried out in adults over age 65. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Ascertain Dementia Eight-Item Informant Questionnaire (AD8), and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) were used to assess the cognitive status and nutritional habits of this population.ResultsA total of 144 patients (mean age 75.3 years, 77.1% female) participated in this study. Forty percent of patients had AD8 and MMSE scores consistent with cognitive impairment and possible dementia. Age (p < 0.01), lower educational level (p < 0.01), history of stroke (p < 0.01), history of intracerebral hemorrhage (p < 0.01), diabetes mellitus (p < 0.01), and malnutrition (p < 0.01) were statistically significant risk factors for cognitive impairment. Exercise was found to be protective against cognitive decline in our study group (p < 0.03). Gender, ethnicity, location, head trauma, Parkinson disease, hypercholesterolemia, myocardial infarction, thyroid disease, depression, anxiety, and family history of dementia were not found to be associated with cognitive decline in this population.ConclusionsThe prevalence of cognitive impairment and possible dementia is 18–21% at age 65 and 54–60% at age 85 in Cumbayá, Quito, Ecuador. The major risk factors for cognitive impairment in this population are age, low educational level, malnutrition, prior stroke, prior intracerebral hemorrhage, and diabetes. Protective factors for cognitive decline include exercise and possibly modest consumption of alcohol.

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Background The clinical presentation and severity of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children associated with COVID-19 is widespread and presents a very low mortality rate in highincome countries. This research describes the clinical characteristics of MIS-C in critically ill children in middle-income countries compared to described series in high-income countries along with the factors associated with mortality and worse outcomes. Methods An observational cohort study was conducted in 14 PICUs in Colombia between April 01, 2020 and January 31, 2021. Patient´s age ranged between one month and 18 years and they met the requirements set forth by WHO for MIS-C. Results There were seventy-eight children in this study. The median age was seven years (IQR 1- 11), 18% (14/78) were under one year old, and 56% were male. Thirty-five percent (29/78) were obese or overweight. The PICU stay was six days (IQR 4-7), and 100% had a fever on admission lasting five days (IQR 3.7-6). Seventy percent (55/78) had diarrhea, and 87% (68/78) had shock or myocardial dysfunction (78%). Compared to the United Kingdom (UK) study, there were more children under the age of five (37% vs. 10%; p=0.004), and there was a higher frequency of obesity (29.5% vs. 10%; p=0.008). With regard to the US study, there was more lymphadenopathy (23% vs. 13%; p=0.02), diarrhea (70.5% vs. 53%; p=0.001), lymphopenia (64% vs. 35%; p=0.001), shock (87% vs. 35%; p=0.001), elevated troponin (51% vs. 31%; p=0.006) and elevated proBNP (82% vs 43%; p=0.001), as well as greater mortality (9% vs 1.8%; p=0.001). The group that did not survive had a longer duration of the disease until admission to the PICU (6 days vs. 5 days; p = 0.003), more frequency of ferritin above 500 ngr/mL (100% vs. 45%; p = 0.012) and more cardiovascular complications (100% vs. 54%; p = 0.019) compared to the group that survived. Conclusions Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children due to SARS-CoV-2 in critically ill children living in a middle-income country has some clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic characteristics similar to those described in high-income countries. It was observed inflammatory response, and cardiovascular involvement were conditions that, added to the difficulties in accessing healthcare systems in countries with limited resources, may explain the higher mortality seen in these children.