Pediatric multisystem SARS COV2 with versus without cardiac involvement: a multicenter study from Latin America

• Published in: European journal of pediatrics 2021-09, Vol.180 (9), p.2879-2888
• Main Authors: Pignatelli, Ricardo, Antona, Clara Vazquez, Rivera, Ivan Romero, Zenteno, Patricia Alvarez, Acosta, Yanet Toribio, Huertas-Quiñones, Manuel, Murillo, Carlos Alvarez, Torres, Franklin Mendoza, Cabalin, Carlos Fernandez, Camacho, Ana Galván, Pérez, Alex Alcántara, Lombardi, Ana Braga, Soares, Andressa Mussi, Garcia, Carolina Torres, Borges, Cibelle Teixeira, Villalba, Claudia Natalia, Lechado, Cristhian Ramírez, Dias, Deborah Trevisan, Morales, Diana Aravena, Copete, Elizabeth Mora, Goldenberg, Guillermo Larios, Salazar, Jahaira Sussety, Moreira, Jessica Alchundia, Asakura, Junko, Sabando, Karla Solórzano, Branco, Klebia Castello, Rosas, Lida Toro, Duarte, Magna Pereira, Carbajal, María Jiménez, Hernandez, Martha Rubio, Martínez, Moisés Mier, Echeverría, Nancy Garay, Caneva, Olga Maza, Sepulveda, Patricia Romero, Díaz, Paulina Agurto, Plúas, Ruth Rugel, Alvarado, Theo Contreras, Faundes, Lorena Tapia, Diaz, Yeny Briones, Zachariah, Justin P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alanine; Alanine transaminase; Arrhythmia; Calcium-binding protein; Cardiac arrhythmia; Chest; Children; Coronary artery; Coronaviruses; Edema; Effusion; Ethnicity; Heart; Mechanical ventilation; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Minority & ethnic groups; Original; Original Article; Pediatrics; Pulmonary arteries; Pulmonary artery; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Thrombocytopenia; Thrombosis; Troponin; Vasoactive agents
• ISSN: 0340-6199; 1432-1076
• DOI: 10.1007/s00431-021-04052-9

Latin America (LATAM) children offer special insight into Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS COV2) due to high-risk race/ethnicity, variability in medical resources, diverse socioeconomic background, and numerous involved organ systems. This multinational study of LATAM youth examined the distinguishing features of acute or late multisystem SARS COV2 with versus without cardiac involvement. A consecutive sample of youth 0–18 years old ( N = 98;50% male) presenting with multisystem SARS COV2 to 32 centers in 10 Latin American countries participating in a pediatric cardiac multi-imaging society were grouped as with versus without cardiac involvement, defined as abnormal echocardiographic findings or arrhythmia. Collected clinical data were analyzed by Student’s t -test or Fisher’s exact test. Cardiac ( N = 48, 50% male) versus no cardiac ( N = 50, 50% male) were similar in age; weight; nonrespiratory symptoms; and medical history. The cardiac group had 1 death and symptoms including coronary artery dilation, ejection fraction