Medium-Term Cardiac Outcomes in Young People with Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome: The Era of COVID-19.

Multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) causes widespread inflammation including a pancarditis in the weeks following a COVID infection. As we prepare for further coronavirus surges, understanding the medium-term cardiac impacts of this condition is important for allocating healthcare resources. A retrospective single-center study of 67 consecutive patients with MIS-C was performed evaluating echocardiographic and electrocardiographic (ECG) findings to determine the point of worst cardiac dysfunction during the admission, then at intervals of 6-8 weeks and 6-8 months.

Association of systemic lupus erythematosus with hearing loss: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect virtually any organ, including middle and/or inner ear. The objective of the current systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the association of SLE with the different subtypes of hearing loss. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in agreement with the PRISMA guidelines.

Electrocardiographic Changes in Children with Multisystem Inflammation Associated with COVID-19: Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Objective: To analyze findings and trends on serial electrocardiograms (ECGs) in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with coronavirus disease taken during the course of illness and at follow-up.

Study Design: We included all children presenting with MIS-C at a single center with 3 or more ECGs taken during the course of their illness. We measured ECG intervals (PR, QRSd, and QTc) and amplitudes (R-, S-, and T-waves) on each ECG and documented any arrhythmias and ST-segment changes.

Acute Cardiovascular Manifestations in 286 Children With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Associated With COVID-19 Infection in Europe.

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 associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.

Methods: This real-time internet-based survey has been endorsed by the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiologists Working Groups for Cardiac Imaging and Cardiovascular Intensive Care. Children 0 to 18 years of age admitted to a hospital between February 1 and June 6, 2020, with a diagnosis of an inflammatory syndrome and acute cardiovascular complications were included.

Does coenzyme Q supplementation improve fertility outcomes in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology procedures? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials.

Objective: Increased oxidative stress has been identified as a pathogenetic mechanism in female infertility. However, the effect of specific antioxidants, such as coenzyme Q (CoQ), on the outcomes after assisted reproductive technologies (ART) has not been clarified. The aim of this study was to systematically review and meta-analyze the best available evidence regarding the effect of CoQ supplementation on clinical pregnancy (CPR), live birth (LBR), and miscarriage rates (MR) compared with placebo or no-treatment in women with infertility undergoing ART.

Multimodality cardiac evaluation in children and young adults with multisystem inflammation associated with COVID-19.

Aims: Following the peak of the UK COVID-19 epidemic, a new multisystem inflammatory condition with significant cardiovascular effects emerged in young people. We utilized multimodality imaging to provide a detailed sequential description of the cardiac involvement.

Methods And Results: Twenty consecutive patients (mean age 10.

Association of rheumatoid arthritis with hearing loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease affecting up to 1% of the worldwide population. RA is associated with multiple extra-articular manifestations (EAMs). Middle ear, cochlea and the auditory nerve are suspected sites of RA activity and hearing loss is a possible novel EAM of RA.

Early menopause is associated with increased risk of arterial hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Menopausal transition has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), mainly attributed to atherogenic dyslipidaemia, central obesity and insulin resistance. Whether arterial hypertension (AH) also contributes to menopause-associated CVD is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to systematically investigate and meta-analyze the best available evidence regarding the association between early menopause (EM) and AH risk.

Echocardiographic predictors of reoperation for subaortic stenosis in children and adults.

Objectives: Subaortic stenosis (SAS) can present as various types of obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) below the level of the aortic valve. Even though corrective surgery has been identified as the most effective treatment, SAS more frequently reoccurs requiring reoperation in a significant proportion of the patients. Previous studies have focused on predictors of recurrence in various subgroups of patients with SAS, but rarely in the overall population of patients with SAS.

How should we diagnose and differentiate hearts with double-outlet right ventricle?

Many, if not most, of the controversies regarding the description of the congenitally malformed heart have been resolved over the turn of the 20th century. A group of lesions that remains contentious is the situation in which both arterial trunks, in their greater part, are supported by the morphologically right ventricle. It was considered, for many years, that presence of bilateral infundibulums, or conuses, was a necessity for such a diagnosis.

Serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), IGF-binding proteins-1 and -3, and postnatal growth of late preterm infants.

Late preterm infants may have impaired early growth. The role of circulating insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in the regulation of postnatal growth of these infants is unclear. The aim of the study was to investigate prospectively the serum levels of IGFs during the first year of life in late preterm infants and their association with birth weight and early postnatal growth.

Changes in vascular function and structure in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objective: Chronic inflammatory diseases in adults have been associated with increased cardiovascular risk and impaired vascular function. We aimed to assess the presence of early vascular dysfunction in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and investigate the role of inherent inflammatory process of JIA in vascular health.

Methods: Thirty patients with JIA (age range 7-18 years) were compared to 33 age- and sex-matched controls.

Vitamin D and parathormone levels of late-preterm formula fed infants during the first year of life.

Background/objectives: Preterm infants are at risk for low vitamin D but documentation on late-preterm infants is sparse. This prospective study monitored longitudinally vitamin D and parathormone (PTH) levels in late-preterm formula fed infants during the first year of life, taking into consideration in utero and postnatal growth, and season and diet.

Subjects/methods: The study population comprised 128 infants of gestational age (GA) 32-36 weeks, of which 102 were appropriate (AGA) and the remaining 26 were small for GA (SGA).

Low gestational age and chronic lung disease are synergistic risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity.

Aims: This retrospective, population based study was designed to investigate risk factors for development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and their possible interrelationships, in neonates of gestational age (GA) <32 weeks born in a well-defined geographical region. STUDY DESIGN-SUBJECTS: The study population included all preterm infants born alive with GA 24-32 weeks in Northwestern Greece during a 9-year period and hospitalised in the regional neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Outcome Measurements: The association was assessed of the presence of ROP with maternal factors: age, pathology of pregnancy, in-vitro fertilisation, multiple gestation, mode of delivery, perinatal factors: gender, antenatal steroids, transportation, resuscitation, GA, birth weight (BW), small for GA status and postnatal morbidity: chronic lung disease (CLD), intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), maximum O(2) needs, hypoxic/hyperoxic episodes, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), sepsis, using multiple logistic regression analysis.

Morbidity and mortality patterns in small-for-gestational age infants born preterm.

Objective: Small-for-gestational age (SGA) neonates born prematurely may be at higher risk for adverse effects during the early postnatal period than premature neonates born appropriate for gestational age (AGA).This study aims to study comparatively morbidity and mortality in SGA and AGA neonates born with low gestational age (GA).

Methods: The study population included all preterm infants born alive with GA 24-31 weeks in Northwestern Greece during a 9-year period and hospitalized in the regional neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Renal glomerular and tubular function in neonates with perinatal problems.

Objective: To investigate perinatal risk factors that may be associated with impaired renal function during the first 2 weeks of life.

Methods: The case notes of 150 neonates of gestational age (GA) 34-36 weeks and 494 of GA > 36 weeks were studied. Clinical risk factors were retrieved, along with indices of renal function: serum creatinine (SeCr), fractional excretion (FE) of sodium (FENa) and potassium (FEK), and the urinary calcium to creatinine ratio (UCa/UCr).

Serum transferrin receptor, ferritin, and reticulocyte maturity indices during the first year of life in 'large' preterm infants.

Background: Preterm infants are at risk of developing iron deficiency; among the iron status and hemopoiesis indices the serum transferrin receptor (sTfr) has been shown to be a useful indicator in assessing iron status, while immature reticulocyte production is regarded as an estimator of erythropoiesis.

Objective: To investigate age-related changes in iron status infants born 'moderately' preterm, with a gestational age (GA) of 32-36 wk, and identify associations between sTfr and other hematological and biochemical iron indices.

Design: Hospital-based prospective, longitudinal study in preterm infants.

Incidence and risk factors for cerebral palsy in infants with perinatal problems: a 15-year review.

Objective: Cerebral palsy (CP) is associated with prenatal, perinatal and postnatal factors. This is a retrospective case-control study aiming to determine the frequency of CP and examine risk factors for CP among infants cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) covering Northwest Greece.

Design And Patients: All neonates who were admitted to the NICU during the period 1989-2003 inclusive, and subsequently developed CP, were enrolled in the study, with matched controls.