Evaluation of our flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy experiences in children

Amaç: Çocukluk çağında solunum sistemi hastalıklarına ve anomalilerine sık rastlanılmaktadır. Solunum yolu problemlerinde fleksibl fiberoptik bronkoskopi (FOB) kullanımın, tanı ve tedavideki etkinliğini ve çocukluk çağında güvenle kullanımını göstermek amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Şubat 2011- Haziran 2012 tarihleri arasında, Dr. Lütfü Kırdar Kartal Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Çocuk Göğüs Hastalıkları bronkoskopi ünitesinde yapılan 116 FOB işlemi retrospektif olarak değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Fleksibl fiberoptik bronkoskopi yapılan 77’si erkek, 39‘u kız toplam 116 hasta değerlendirmeye alındı. Bronkoskopi endikasyonlarının dağılımı; olgularda görülen stridor, kronik öksürük, persistan wheezing, tekrarlayan krup, hemoptizi, postero anterior akciğer (PAAC) grafisinde persistan infiltrasyon, lokalize bronşektazi, lokalize havalanma artışı, yabancı cisim şüphesi, atelektazi ve akciğer tüberkülozunun tanı ve değerlendirilmesi idi. Sonuç: Bronkoskopi tekrarlayan, persiste eden ve tanısında zorlanılan üst ve alt havayolu semptomları olan hastalarda güvenle yapılan, önemli bir tanı ve tedavi aracıdır.Objective: Respiratory system disorders and anomalies are common in the childhood. In this study, our objective was to demonstrate the effective use of the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) in the respiratory system disorders and its safety in the childhood. Materials and Methods: 116 FOB interventions, which were carried out in the bronchoscopy unit of the Dr. Lütfü Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital Pediatric Pneumology Department, were retrospectively evaluated. Results: 77 of the 116 evaluated FOB patients were boys and 39 were girls. The most common indication for bronchoscopy was stridor (33.6%) and the most common diagnosis after the bronchoscopy was laryngomalacia (27.59%). Bronchoscopy was completed successfully in 112 patients (96.55%) and it was discontinued in 4 patients (3.5%). Conclusion: Bronchoscopy is an important diagnosis and treatment tool, which can be safely carried out in the recurrent, persistent and hard-to-diagnose upper and lower respiratory disorders in the childhood

A snapshot of pediatric inpatients and outpatients with COVID-19: a point prevalence study from Turkey

This multi-center point prevalence study evaluated children who were diagnosed as having coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). On February 2nd, 2022, inpatients and outpatients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were included in the study from 12 cities and 24 centers in Turkey. Of 8605 patients on February 2nd, 2022, in participating centers, 706 (8.2%) had COVID-19. The median age of the 706 patients was 92.50 months, 53.4% were female, and 76.7% were inpatients. The three most common symptoms of the patients with COVID-19 were fever (56.6%), cough (41.3%), and fatigue (27.5%). The three most common underlying chronic diseases (UCDs) were asthma (3.4%), neurologic disorders (3.3%), and obesity (2.6%). The SARS-CoV-2-related pneumoniae rate was 10.7%. The COVID-19 vaccination rate was 12.5% in all patients. Among patients aged over 12 years with access to the vaccine given by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health, the vaccination rate was 38.7%. Patients with UCDs presented with dyspnea and pneumoniae more frequently than those without UCDs (p < 0.001 for both). The rates of fever, diarrhea, and pneumoniae were higher in patients without COVID-19 vaccinations (p = 0.001, p = 0.012, and p = 0.027). Conclusion: To lessen the effects of the disease, all eligible children should receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The illness may specifically endanger children with UCDs. What is Known: • Children with COVID-19 mainly present with fever and cough, as in adults. • COVID-19 may specifically threaten children with underlying chronic diseases. What is New: • Children with obesity have a higher vaccination rate against COVID-19 than children without obesity. • Among unvaccinated children, fever and pneumoniae might be seen at a higher ratio than among vaccinated children

Education of healthcare personnel working with pediatric patients during covid-19 pandemic within the framework of infection control Covid-19 pandemisinde enfeksiyon kontrol çalışmaları çerçevesinde çocuk hastalarla çalışan sağlık personeli eğitimi

© 2020, AVES. All rights reserved.Objective: In the early stages of any epidemic caused by new emerging pathogens healthcare personnel is subject to a great risk. Pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, proved to be no exception. Many healthcare workers died in the early stages of pandemic due to inadequate precautions and insufficient protection. It is essential to protect and maintain the safety of healthcare personnel for the confinement of pandemic as well as continuity of qualified healthcare services which is already under strain. Educating healthcare personnel on appropiate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is as essential as procuring them. Material and Methods: A survey is conducted on 4927 healthcare personnel working solely with pediatric patients from 32 different centers. Education given on PPE usage were questioned and analyzed depending on age, sex, occupation and region. Results: Among four thousand nine hundred twelve healthcare personnel from 32 different centers 91% (n= 4457) received education on PPE usage. Of those who received education only 36% was given both theoretical and applied education. Although there was no differences among different occupation groups, receiving education depended on regions. Conclusion: It is essential to educate healthcare personnel appropiately nationwidely for the continuity of qualified healthcare services during the pandemic

SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among pediatric health care personnel just after the first peak of pandemic: A nationwide surveillance.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic affected every single person on earth one way or the other. The healthcare personnel were no exception, their responsibilities as well as their risks being immense. METHODS: 4927 healthcare personnel all working in pediatric units at 32 hospitals from seven different regions of Turkey enrolled to the study to determine the seroprevalence of SARS Co-V-2 after the first peak wave. Point of care serologic lateral flow rapid test kit for IgM/IgG was used (Ecotest CE Assure Tech. Co. Ltd.). Seroprevalence and its association with demographic characteristics and possible risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Nearly 6.1% of healthcare personnel were found to be seropositive for SARS Co-V- 2. Seropositivity was more common among those who did not universally wear protective masks (10.6% vs 6.1%). Having a COVID-19 co-worker increased the likelihood of infection. The least and the most experienced personnel affected more. Most of the seropositive healthcare personnel (68%) did not have any suspicion that they had COVID-19 previously. CONCLUSIONS: Health surveillance for healthcare personnel involving routine point-of-care nucleic acid testing as well as monitoring PPE adherence would be important strategies to protect healthcare personnel from COVID-19 and to reduce nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission

Evaluation of vaccination status of health care workers for recommended vaccines and their acceptance of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

© 2022 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.Introduction: Health care workers (HCWs) are disproportionately exposed to infectious diseases and play a role in nosocomial transmission, making them a key demographic for vaccination. HCW vaccination rates are not optimal in many countries; hence, compulsory vaccination policies have been implemented in some countries. Although these policies are effective and necessary under certain conditions, resolving HCWs’ hesitancies and misconceptions about vaccines is crucial. HCWs have the advantage of direct contact with patients; hence, they can respond to safety concerns, explain the benefits of vaccination, and counter antivaccine campaigns that escalate during pandemics, as has been observed with COVID-19. Method: A short survey was carried out in May–June 2020 on the vaccination status of HCWs working with pediatric patients with COVID-19. The survey inquired about their vaccination status (mumps/measles/rubella [MMR], varicella, influenza, and diphtheria/tetanus [dT]) and willingness to receive hypothetical future COVID-19 vaccines. The respondents were grouped according to gender, age, occupation, and region. Results: In total, 4927 HCWs responded to the survey. Most were young, healthy adults. The overall vaccination rates were 57.8% for dT in the past 10 years, 44.5% for MMR, 33.2% for varicella, and 13.5% for influenza. Vaccination rates were the highest among physicians. The majority of HCWs (81%) stated that they would be willing to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Conclusion: Although vaccination rates for well-established vaccines were low, a majority of HCWs were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccines when available. Education and administrative trust should be enhanced to increase vaccination rates among HCWs