Background: The aim of the study was to document cardiovascular clinical findings, cardiac imaging and laboratory markers in children presenting with the novel multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 infection. Methods: A real-time internet-based survey endorsed by the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiologists (AEPC) Working Groups for Cardiac Imaging and Cardiovascular Intensive Care. Inclusion criteria was children 0-18 years admitted to hospital between February 1 and June 6, 2020 with diagnosis of an inflammatory syndrome and acute cardiovascular complications. Results: A total of 286 children from 55 centers in 17 European countries were included. The median age was 8.4 years (IQR 3.8-12.4 years) and 67% were males. The most common cardiovascular complications were shock, cardiac arrhythmias, pericardial effusion and coronary artery dilatation. Reduced left ventricular ejection fraction was present in over half of the patients and a vast majority of children had raised cardiac troponin (cTnT) when checked. The biochemical markers of inflammation were raised in majority of patients on admission: elevated CRP, serum ferritin, procalcitonin, NT-proBNP, IL-6 level and D-dimers. There was a statistically significant correlation between degree of elevation in cardiac and biochemical parameters and need for intensive care support (p <0.05). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 was positive in 33.6% while IgM and IgG antibodies were positive in 15.7% and IgG 43.6 % cases, respectively when checked. One child died in the study cohort. Conclusions: Cardiac involvement is common in children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with Covid-19 pandemic. A majority of children have significantly raised levels of NT pro-BNP, ferritin, D-dimers and cardiac troponin in addition to high CRP and procalcitonin levels. Compared to adults with Covid-19, mortality in children with MIS-C is uncommon despite multi-system involvement, very elevated inflammatory markers and need for intensive care support.

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Background: Providing continuous follow-up care to patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) remains a challenge in many settings. Previous studies highlight that patients with CHD experience discontinuation of followup care, but mainly describe a single-centre perspective, neglecting inter-institutional variations. Hospitalrelated factors above and beyond patient-related factors are believed to affect continuity of care. The present multicentre study therefore investigated (i) proportion of "no follow-up care"; (ii) transfer destinations after leaving paediatric cardiology; (iii) variation in proportions of no follow-up between centres; (iv) the association between no follow-up and outpatient volumes, and (v) its relationship with staffing resources at outpatient clinics. Methods: An observational, multicentre study was conducted in seven university hospitals. In total, 654 adolescents with CHD, born between 1991 and 1993, with paediatric outpatient visit at age 14-18 years were included. Transfer status was determined 5 years after the intended transfer to adult care (23y), based on medical files, selfreports and registries. Results: Overall, 89.7% of patients were receiving adult follow-up care after transfer; 6.6% had no follow-up; and 3.7% were untraceable. Among patients in follow-up care, only one remained in paediatric care and the majority received specialist adult CHD care. Significant variability in proportions of no follow-up were identified across

AimThe aim of the study was to assess the incidence, mortality and morbidity of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and noncompaction of the left ventricle (LVNC) in Swedish children.MethodsWe reviewed hospital records of all children with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) or left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) up to the age of 18 in the healthcare region of western Sweden from 1991 to 2015.ResultsIn total, 69 cases (61% males) were identified. The combined incidence of DCM and LVNC was 0.77 (95% CI 0.59‐0.96) per 100 000 person years. Children were divided into six groups, and their outcomes were analysed depending on their aetiology. Idiopathic DCM was reported in 43%, and familial dilated and left ventricular noncompaction aetiology was present in 32%. DCM due to various diseases occurred in 8%. DCM associated with neuromuscular diseases was present in 16%. The overall risk of death or receiving transplants in children with idiopathic and familial DCM was 30% over the study period, and 21% died in the first year after diagnosis.ConclusionThe combined incidence of DCM and LVNC was similar to previous reports. Most children with idiopathic DCM presented during infancy, and mortality was highest during the first year after diagnosis.

Background Theoretical literature and cross-sectional studies suggest empowerment is associated with other patient-reported outcomes (PROs). However, it is not known if patient empowerment is leading to improvements in other PROs or vice versa. Aims The present study aimed to examine the direction of effects between patient empowerment and PROs in young persons with congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods As part of the STEPSTONES-CHD trial, adolescents with CHD from seven pediatric cardiology centers in Sweden were included in a longitudinal observational study (n = 132). Data were collected when patients were 16 (T0), 17 (T1) and 18 ½ years old (T2). The Gothenburg Young Persons Empowerment Scale (GYPES) was used to measure patient empowerment. Random intercepts cross-lagged panel models between patient empowerment and PROs (communication skills; patient-reported health; quality of life; and transition readiness) were undertaken. Results We found a significant cross-lagged effect of transition readiness over patient empowerment between T1 and T2, signifying that a higher level of transition readiness predicted a higher level of patient empowerment. No other significant cross-lagged relationships were found. Conclusion Feeling confident before the transition to adult care is necessary before young persons with CHD can feel in control to manage their health and their lives. Clinicians interested in improving patient empowerment during the transitional period should consider targeting transition readiness.

Background Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect, with a global birth prevalence of 8.2 per 1000 new-borns. Improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of children with CHD have resulted in increasing life prospects, with more than 90% surviving into adulthood today. To ensure expert lifetime care, patients need to transfer from paediatric-oriented care to adult-oriented care. At the same time, they need to transition from a dependent child with CHD to an independent adult who can manage living with CHD. Thus, during adolescence, patients with CHD need to acquire knowledge and skills to independently manage their health, while simultaneously experiencing a series of physical, cognitive and social changes. To facilitate this phase, transitional care is needed. However, high-level empirical evidence on the effectiveness of transitional care is scarce. Purpose To investigate the empowering effect (primary outcome) of a structured person-centred transition programme for adolescents with CHD, and to study the effectiveness on transition readiness, patient-reported health, quality of life, health behaviours, disease-related knowledge, parental uncertainty, and parental perception of transition readiness (secondary outcomes). Methods The STEPSTONES-CHD trial comprised a hybrid experimental design, in which a randomized controlled trial (RCT) was embedded in a longitudinal, observational study. The trial was conducted in seven CHD centres in Sweden. Two centres were allocated to the RCT-arm, randomising participants to intervention (IG) or control group (CG). The other five centres were intervention-naïve centres and served as contamination check control group (CCCG). Outcomes were measured at the age of 16 y (T0; baseline), 17y (T1) and 18.5y (T2). Results The change in empowerment from T0 to T2 differed significantly between the IG and CG (mean difference=3.44; 95% CI: 0.27–6.65; p=0.036) in favour for IG. For the secondary outcomes, significant differences in change over time were found in parental involvement (p=0.008), CHD-specific knowledge (p=0.0002), and satisfaction with physical appearance (p=0.039). No differences in primary or secondary outcomes were detected between CG and CCCG, indicating that there was no contamination in the CG. Conclusion The STEPSTONES-CHD trial demonstrated the effectiveness of a person-centred transition programme in empowering adolescents with CHD. Furthermore, parental involvement, satisfaction with physical appearance and CHD-related knowledge were positively influenced. This trial provides empirical underpinnings for the implementation of transition programmes for afflicted adolescents. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare-FORTE (grant STYA2015/0003)Swedish Research Council (grant 2015–02503)

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