Expert panel consensus recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of secondary osteoporosis in children

Background: Osteoporosis incidence in children is increasing due to the increased survival rate of patients suffering from chronic diseases and the increased use of drugs that can damage bones. Recent changes made to the definition of childhood osteoporosis, along with the lack of guidelines or national consensuses regarding its diagnosis and treatment, have resulted in a wide variability in the approaches used to treat this disease. For these reasons, the Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Childhood Osteoporosis Working Group of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Rheumatology has sounded the need for developing guidelines to standardize clinical practice with regard to this pathology. Methods: An expert panel comprised of 6 pediatricians and 5 rheumatologists carried out a qualitative literature review and provided recommendations based on evidence, when that was available, or on their own experience. The level of evidence was determined for each section using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine (CEBM) system. A Delphi survey was conducted for those recommendations with an evidence level of IV or V. This survey was sent to all members of the SERPE. All recommendations that had a level of agreement higher or equal to 70% were included. Results: Fifty-one recommendations, categorized into eight sections, were obtained. Twenty-four of them presented an evidence level 4 or 5, and therefore a Delphi survey was conducted. This was submitted electronically and received a response rate of 40%. All recommendations submitted to the Delphi round obtained a level of agreement of 70% or higher and were therefore accepted. Conclusion: In summary, we present herein guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of secondary childhood osteoporosis based on the available evidence and expert clinical experience. We believe it can serve as a useful tool that will contribute to the standardization of clinical practice for this pathology. Prophylactic measures, early diagnosis and a proper therapeutic approach are essential to improving bone health, not only in children and adolescents, but also in the adults they will become in the future

Lesiones cutáneas en niños durante la primera ola de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2.

Cutaneous manifestations have been included in COVID-19 patients' clinical spectrum. Our objective was to determine the association between skin lesions in children and SARS-CoV-2 infection, analyzing others possible infectious/autoimmune etiologies. Observational, multicenter, cross-sectional study, about children with skin manifestations from April to May 2020. The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 was performed by PCR in nasopharyngeal exudate and/or presence of antibodies by serology. Sixty-two children were included, 9 (14.5%) presented positive antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, with no positive PCR to SARS-Cov-2 in those patients in whom it was made. Patients with positive serology to SARS-CoV-2 presented chilblains and/or vesicular-bullous skin lesions more frequently (66.7% vs. 24.5%, p=0.019). Generalized, urticarial and maculopapular rash was more common in patients with negative antibodies (37.7 vs. 0%, p=0.047), others pathogens were isolated in 41.5% of these patients. There were no significant differences in the positivity for autoantibodies between both groups. In our study, the presence of chilblains-like and/or vesicular lesions were significantly related to SARS-CoV-2 previous contact

Baja densidad mineral ósea en artritis idiopática juvenil: prevalencia y factores relacionados.

Height adjustment is currently recommended for Z-score bone mineral density (BMD) assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. At present there are no studies that evaluate the prevalence of low BMD in paediatric patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) in Spain following current recommendations. To evaluate low BMD in JIA in paediatric patients with JIA in Spain following the latest recommendations, as well as to assess associated factors. Observational cross-sectional study of Spanish JIA patients from 5 to 16 years-old, followed-up in a Paediatric Rheumatology Unit between July 2014 and July 2015. Anthropometric, clinical and treatment data were recorded. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and bone metabolism parameters were collected, and a completed diet and exercise questionnaire was obtained. A total of 92 children participated. The population prevalence estimation of low BMD was less than 5% (95% CI). A significant positive correlation was found in the multiple linear regression analysis between the body mass index percentile (B: 0.021; P Low BMD prevalence in JIA patients in our population is low. An adequate nutritional status and the prevalence of lean over fat mass seem to promote the acquisition of bone mass. Those JIA patients with lower BMD could be subjected to an increase of bone turnover

Effectiveness and safety of bisphosphonates therapy in secondary osteoporosis in children Efectividad y seguridad de los bisfosfonatos en el tratamiento de la osteoporosis infantil secundaria

Introduction: There are few studies on effectiveness and safety of bisphosphonate therapy in secondary osteoporosis in children. The aim of this research was to analyse effectiveness and safety of bisphosphonates in secondary osteoporosis in children. Patients and methods: Multicentre retrospective study in patients younger than 18 suffering from secondary osteoporosis and who had received bisphosphonates. Clinical data were recorded. Bone mineral density was assessed in terms of bone mineral density Z-score in lumbar spine (ZBMDls) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Effectiveness was valued at changes in ZBMDls one and two years after the onset of bisphosphonates and at the decrease in the number of fractures a year. Adverse events reported were recorded. Descriptive and bivariant analysis were performed. Results: 32 patients were recruited. ZBMDls increased one year after the onset of treatment ([−2.46 ± 0.96] vs. [−1.54 ± 1.38]; p <.001). Fractures a year decreased significantly (1 [1-2] vs. 0 [0-0.61]; p <, 001). ZBMDls increase was higher in patients who were able to walk (1.88 ± 0.72 vs. 0.55 ± 0.82; p =.07) and correlated positively with body mass index (BMI) for age percentile (rho: 0.564; p <.001). The decrease in the number of fractures a year was higher in patients with lower initial fracture rate (rho: −0.47; p =.006) and with higher initial ZBMDls (rho: −0.47; p =.07). 10 adverse events were reported in 7 patients (22%), all of them intravenous bisphosphonates related. No association was found between adverse events and studied variables. Conclusions: Bisphosphonates are effective in secondary osteoporosis in children. Response seems to be better in patients who are able to walk, well-nourished and in the early stages of the disease. Adverse events were frequent but mild

Prevention and early diagnosis of childhood osteoporosis: are we doing the right thing?

[eng] Objectives: To assess prevention, early diagnosis and training received regarding osteoporosis among the pediatrics professionals in our area. Material and methods: Survey directed to physicians of pediatricians of Primary Care (PC) and Specialized Care (SC) in order to evaluate their activity in prevention, detection and training received in osteoporosis. The survey was disseminated through the relevant scientific societies. Results: 420 pediatricians participated (324 from PC and 96 from SC). 93.5% of PC pediatricians and 89.6% of SC pediatricians valued the physical activity of the patients; 85.19% and 35.4% of them, respectively, the intake of dairy products. 45.68% of PC and 70.2% of SC recommended calcium and vitamin D supplements in the case of low nutritional intake, whereas 39.2% of PC and 47.2% of SC favored follow-up. 39.6% of SC pediatricians requested bone densitometry for this disease or risk treatment, and 47.9% measured the levels of 25-OH-vitamin D. 25.93% of PC and 45.3% of SC asked about the existence of fractures, 90.4% and 96.8% requested etiopathogenic mechanism. 40% of PC and 86.2% of SC requested a bone densitometry or referred to the specialist for fractures due to low trauma energy, with specific criteria in 13.7% and 5.86%, respectively. 92% of PC and 82.3% of SC had not received recent training in childhood osteoporosis. Conclusion: Detection, derivation circuits and the training of pediatricians regarding bone health in our country can be improved. Optimizing these aspects is essential to favor the peak of bone mass in our population

Skin manifestations during the COVID-19 pandemic in the pediatric emergency department.

The role of SARS-CoV-2 as the cause of chilblains in children remains a matter of debate but it is important to elucidate it for patient isolation and contact tracing. We sought to define the etiology, clinical presentation, time course, and outcomes of children presenting to the emergency department (ED) with cutaneous manifestations shortly after the first pandemic peak of COVID-19 in Spain. A prospective, observational study in children From April 14 through May 8, 2020, we enrolled 62 children. Of those, 34 had acro-ischemic skin lesions and 28 had a variety of skin rashes. Overall, 40% of children had mild systemic symptoms. Children with chilblains were older, had pain more frequently and a more prolonged duration of skin lesions, while those with non-specific rashes had fever more frequently. Lesions were resolved in 75% of children at follow up. Five patients demonstrated SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, and none tested positive with PCR. Three additional patients tested positive with PCR for rhinovirus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae. The number of ED visits for chilblains, which are rare in pediatrics, was high soon after the first peak of COVID-19 in Spain. The disease course was self-limited, outcomes were favorable, and the possibility of viral transmission was negligible as all patients tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR

Adiposity Is Related to Inflammatory Disease Activity in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Objective: To identify factors associated with the higher proportion of fatty tissue and overweight/obesity observed in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Patients and methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 80 JIA patients aged 4–15 years with 80 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Body composition was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The 27-joint Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity score (JADAS27) was calculated. Two multivariate models were constructed to identify factors associated with overweight/obesity and fat mass index (FMI). Results: No differences were found between cases and controls in body mass index (BMI) or body composition. However, compared with controls, patients with a high inflammatory activity (JADAS27 > 4.2 for oligoarticular JIA or >8.5 for polyarticular disease) had higher values for BMI (p = 0.006); total fat mass (p = 0.003); FMI (p = 0.001); and fat in the legs (p = 0.001), trunk (p = 0.001), and arms (p = 0.002). The factors associated with overweight/obesity in patients were the duration of therapy with biological drugs, measured in months (OR [95% CI] = 1.12 [1.02–1.04]; p = 0.037), and physical activity (OR [95% CI] = 0.214 [0.07–0.68]; p = 0.010), while the factors associated with FMI were age (β [95% CI] = 0.30 [0.17–1.41]; p = 0.014), JADAS27 (β [95% CI] = 0.45 [0.16–1.08]; p = 0.009), and physical activity (β [95% CI] = −0.22 [−5.76 to 0.29]; p = 0.031). Conclusion: Our study revealed no differences between JIA patients with well-controlled disease and low disability and the healthy population in BMI or body composition. Furthermore, the association observed between inflammatory activity and adiposity could be responsible for poorer clinical course.This research was funded by a grant for medical researchers of the “Sociedad Española de Reumatología Pediatrica”Ye

Features of antibody responses after SARS-COV-2 infection in healthcare workers in the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico City

Objective To investigate the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 and identify associated factors in frontline and second-line healthcare workers (HCWs) at a large hospital in Mexico City during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of HCWs returning to work following mandatory isolation after recovering from COVID-19. Immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG antibodies elicited by SARS-CoV-2 were semiquantitatively measured using densitometric analysis of band intensities in lateral flow assay (LFA) devices. The mean pixel intensity (dots-per-inch [dpi]) of each band on the LFA was considered a measure of antibody titre. Results Of the 111 HCWs involved in the study, antibody responses were detected in 73/111 (66%) participants. Severe COVID symptoms was associated with old age. No differences in IgM intensity were observed between men and women, but IgG intensity was significantly higher in men than in women. Second-line HCWs produced a higher IgG intensity than firstline HCWs. The IgG intensity was high in severe cases. Conclusions For HCWs who may acquire SARS-CoV-2 infection, it is necessary to establish a routine program for detection of the virus to avoid risk of infection and spread of COVID-19