Dados do Trabalho

Título

COVID-19 IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH NEUROIMMUNOLOGICAL DISORDERS: PRELIMINARY DATA

Introdução

The understanding of COVID-19 impacts on children with neuroimmunological diseases remains limited. Moreover, despite the progress in vaccinating the pediatric population, the safety and efficacy of immunization agents in this specific group need to be more extensively investigated.

Objetivo

To analyze the clinical manifestations and impact of COVID-19 disease and vaccination in the pediatric population with neuroimmunological disorders followed in a Brazilian specialized center

Método

Its a cross-sectional and retrospective evaluation of pediatric patients with neuroimmunological disorders, at any stage of the disease course, followed from January 2019 until March 2022. Data were collected from medical records and remote interview by telephone call after signed TCLE. Demographics, clinical and therapeutic features, COVID-19 pandemic aspects, suspected or confirmed COVID-19, laboratory and radiologic findings, vaccination details, and disease exacerbations were recorded. The research is under its way.

Resultados e Conclusões

One hundred and fifteen patients were identified as potential subjects. For now, medical records from 42 (36.5%) patients were revised, all of them fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Most patients were female (68.3%) from mixed-ethnicity background (46.2%). Mean age at disease onset was 7.8 (±4.1) years. At last follow-up, the mean age at last follow-up was 12.3 (± 2.56) years and the final diagnosis was: multiple sclerosis(31.6%), myasthenia gravis(18.4%), opsoclonus myoclonus ataxia(21.1%), neuromyelitis spectrum disorders(7.9%), MOG-IgG associated disorder(5.3%), optic neuritis(5.3%), Guillain-Barre syndrome(2.6%), other diagnosis(7.9%). Mean age at last follow-up was 12.3 (± 2.56) years. Half of the patients had a relapsing course, and 12/35 (34.3%) of the patients relapsed during the pandemic period. Data on COVID19 infection was analyzed for 10 patients. Four (40%) had a confirmed COVID19 infection. Dyspnea was the most common symptom. One patient needed hospitalization. One patient reported worsening of previous neurologic symptom. There was no death. Vaccination data was analyzed for 7 patients, most vaccinated with Pfizer (71.4%). The only reported adverse event was pain in injection site. Two parents reported hesitation on vaccines: fear of adverse events (50%) and fear of a new relapse.
We present the preliminary results of this ongoing research on COVID19 infection and vaccination on patients diagnosed with neuroimmunologic disorders of a tertiary center in Brazil.

Palavras Chave

1. Covid-19
2. Pediatric neuroimmunological disorders
3. Multiple sclerosis
4. Encephalitis
5. Immunosuppression

Declaração de conflito de interesses de TODOS os autores

All the authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Ingrid Lacerda Pessoa: Reports no disclosure
Ana Cristina Azevedo Leão: Reports no disclosure
Roberta Diniz de Almeida: Reports no disclosure
Renata Barbosa Paolilo: received support for participating in scientific meetings from Biogen, Merck and Roche; and received speaking honoraria from Novartis.

Fonte de Fomento (se houver)

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors

Referências (se houver)

Olive-Cirera G, Fonseca E, Cantarín-Extremera V, Vazquez-Lopez M, Jimenez-Legido M, Gonzalez-Alvarez V, et al. Impact of COVID-19 in Immunosuppressed Children With Neuroimmunologic Disorders. NeuroNeuroimmunolNeuroinflamm; 2022.