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OBJECTIVES: To describe trends in critical illness from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that PICU admission rates were higher in the Omicron period compared with the original outbreak but that fewer patients needed endotracheal intubation. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: This study took place in nine U.S. PICUs over 3 weeks in January 2022 (Omicron period) compared with 3 weeks in March 2020 (original period). PATIENTS: Patients less than or equal to 21 years old who screened positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection by polymerase chain reaction or hospital-based rapid antigen test and were admitted to a PICU or intermediate care unit were included. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 267 patients (239 Omicron and 28 original) were reviewed. Forty-five patients in the Omicron cohort had incidental SARS-CoV-2 and were excluded from analysis. The Omicron cohort patients were younger compared with the original cohort patients (median [interquartile range], 6 yr [1.3–13.3 yr] vs 14 yr [8.3–17.3 yr]; p = 0.001). The Omicron period, compared with the original period, was associated with an average increase in COVID-19–related PICU admissions of 13 patients per institution (95% CI, 6–36; p = 0.008), which represents a seven-fold increase in the absolute number admissions. We failed to identify an association between cohort period (Omicron vs original) and odds of intubation (odds ratio, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.3–1.7). However, we cannot exclude the possibility of up to 70% reduction in intubation. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19–related PICU admissions were seven times higher in the Omicron wave compared with the original outbreak. We could not exclude the possibility of up to 70% reduction in use of intubation in the Omicron versus original epoch, which may represent differences in PICU/hospital admission policy in the later period, or pattern of disease, or possibly the impact of vaccination.

This case report highlights the initial presentation of Addison’s disease in a 19-year-old individual with coronavirus disease. Coronavirus disease is an infectious disease, which often presents with fever and respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Here, we describe a challenging case of a patient with coronavirus disease, who initially presented with altered mental status, hyponatremia, and cerebral edema, with subsequent workup leading to the diagnosis of Addison’s disease.

Background and Objectives: Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) also called nosocomial infection is a global problem. It also acts as a leading cause of death and increased morbidity among hospitalized patients. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the commonest pathogens causing HAI and is also closely associated with human body. WHO study has shown highest prevalence of HAI in Intensive care unit (ICU), Neonatal care unit (NICU), Post operative ward (POW). Hence it becomes very imperative to check the prevalence of HAI. Therefore this study was carried out to determine the prevalence of S. aureus in hospital environment as a possible source for HAI. Material and Methods: Environmental samples and blood samples of the patients were collected from ICU, NICU, POW using sterile cotton swabs during study period. Standard protocol was followed to isolate and identify S. aurues which was followed by antibiotic sensitivity tests. Results: A total of 216 environmental samples were collected out of which 18.98% (41) samples showed the presence of S. aureus. It was also isolated from the blood samples of patients admitted to ICU (7.5%) and NICU (6.8%). None of the isolates from environmental samples were MRSA(methycillin resistant Staphylococcus aures). Conclusion: S. aureus was found as a prominent environmental flora of hospital setting. Presence of these organisms in sensitive units like ICU, NICU, POW and the isolation of S. aureus from clinical samples indicates a possibility of HAI. It indicates the necessity of continuous surveillance of hospital environmental for quality control. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jmcjms.v1i1.7882 Janaki Medical College Journal of Medical Sciences (2013) Vol. 1 (1):21-25