Covid-19, una mirada desde la pediatría

COVID-19 was predominantly more prevalent among adults over the age of 15 in the early stages of the outbreak, and the proportion of confirmed cases among children was relatively lower. However, because younger children cannot wear chinstraps and no other preventive measures have been taken in this group. Children have certain peculiarities and we cannot clearly demonstrate their state of health, which has contributed to the serious challenge of protecting, diagnosing and treating this population. Due to the increasing worldwide spread of SARS-CoV-2, we have new challenges for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic among children. At the same time, children with comorbidities are vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The present review tries to show this disease from the pediatric point of view, to guide its diagnosis and management.El COVID-19 fue predominantemente más prevalente entre adultos mayores de 15 años en las primeras etapas del brote y la proporción de casos confirmados entre niños fue relativamente menor. Sin embargo, debido a la creciente propagación mundial del SARS-CoV-2, tenemos nuevos desafíos para la prevención y el control de la epidemia de COVID-19 entre los niños. Ya que en los más pequeños no se pueden emplear medidas de prevención (barbijos), la clínica inespecífica que presentan, las dificultades para el diagnóstico, la deficiente comunicación entre médico-paciente y familiar que han contribuido al desafío de desarrollar medidas para proteger a esta población, al igual que al personal de salud que manejan casos pediátricos.  Al mismo tiempo, los niños con comorbilidades, s on vulnerables a la infección por SARS-CoV-2. La presente revisión intenta mostrar esta enfermedad desde el punto de vista pediátrico, para orientar en su diagnóstico y manejo

Probiotics in the treatment of acute rotavirus diarrhoea. A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial using two different probiotic preparations in Bolivian children

Abstract Background Evidence suggests that probiotics reduce rotavirus diarrhoea duration. Although there are several probiotic strains potentially useful, daily practice is often limited by the type and number of products locally available. In general, information about combined products is scarce. In this study we compare the effect of two probiotic products in the treatment of diarrhoea in children less than 2 years of age. Methods A Randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial in children hospitalized for acute rotavirus diarrhoea, in the Paediatric Centre Albina Patino, Cochabamba, Bolivia. Participants were children aged 1 - 23 months, who were randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments: Oral rehydration therapy plus placebo; Oral rehydration solution plus Saccharomyces boulardii; or Oral rehydration solution plus a compound containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium longum and Saccharomyces boulardii. Sample size was 20 per group and the outcomes were duration of diarrhoea, of fever, of vomiting and of hospitalization. Results 64 cases finished the protocol. On admission, patients' characteristics were similar. Median duration of diarrhoea (p = 0.04) in children who received the single species product (58 hours) was shorter than in controls (84.5 hrs). Comparing children that received the single probiotic product and controls showed shorter duration of fever (18 vs 67 hrs) (p = 0.0042) and the mixed probiotic of vomiting (0 vs 42.5 hrs) (p = 0.041). There was no effect on duration of hospitalization (p = 0.31). When experimental groups were merged, statistical significance of changes increased (total duration of diarrhoea, fever and vomiting P = 0.025, P = 0.025 and P = 0.014, respectively). Conclusions Both products decreased the duration of diarrhoea compared to oral rehydration solution alone. This decrease was significant only for the single species product which also decreased the duration of fever. With the multiple species product there was no vomiting subsequent to the initiation of treatment. The quantity of probiotic bacteria needed for optimum treatment of gastroenteritis remains to be determined, particularly when multiple species are included in the product. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT00981877 Link: https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol/sid/S0002653/selectaction/View/ts/2/uid/U0000N04 Trial Registration Clinical trials NCT ID: NCT00981877</p