Background An increasing proportion of women are infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during pregnancy. Intrauterine viral infections induce an increase in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, which inhibit the proliferation of neuronal precursor cells and stimulate oligodendrocyte cell death, leading to abnormal neurodevelopment. Whether a maternal cytokine storm can affect neonatal brain development is unclear. The objective of the present study was to assess neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonates born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infections during pregnancy. Methods In this prospective cohort study, the neurodevelopmental status of infants (N = 298) born to women with SARS-CoV-2 infections during pregnancy was assessed at 10–12 months post-discharge using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, 3rd edition (ASQ-3). The ASQ-3 scores were classified into developmental delays (cutoff scores ≤ 2 standard deviations (SDs) below the population mean) and no delays (scores > 2 SDs above the population mean). Results The majority (90%) of the infants born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infections during pregnancy had favorable outcomes and only 10% showed developmental delays. Two of the 298 infants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and both had normal ASQ-3 scores. The majority of the pregnant women had SARS-CoV-2 infections during their third trimester. The risk of developmental delays among infants was higher in those whose mothers had SARS-CoV-2 infections during the first (P = 0.039) and second trimesters (P = 0.001) than in those whose mothers had SARS-CoV-2 infections during the third trimester. Conclusion The neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infections seem favorable. However, more studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are required.

BackgroundAn increasing proportion of women are being infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during pregnancy. Intrauterine viral infections induce an increase in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, which inhibit the proliferation of neuronal precursor cells and stimulate oligodendrocyte cell death, leading to abnormal neurodevelopment. Whether a maternal cytokine storm can affect neonatal brain development is unclear. The objective of the present study is to assess neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonates born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infections during pregnancy.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, the neurodevelopment status of infants (N=298) born to women with SARS-CoV-2 infections during pregnancy was assessed at 10-12 months post discharge using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, 3rd edition (ASQ-3). The ASQ-3 scores were classified into developmental delays (cutoff score: ≤2 standard deviations (SDs) below the population mean) and no delay (score >2 SDs above the population mean).ResultsApproximately 10% of infants born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infections during pregnancy showed developmental delays. Two of 298 infants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and both had normal ASQ-3 scores. The majority of the pregnant women had SARS-CoV-2 infection during their third trimester. The risk of developmental delays among infants was higher in those whose mothers had SARS-CoV-2 infections during the first (P=0.039) and second trimesters (P=0.001) than in those whose mothers had SARS-CoV-2 infections during the third trimester. Infants born at <31 weeks gestation were more prone to developmental delays than those born at >31 weeks gestation (10% versus 0.8%; P=0.002).ConclusionThe findings of the study highlight the need for long term neurodevelopmental assessment of infants born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Pertussis is a common respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Although most cases occur in developing countries, it is considered endemic globally. The World Health Organization estimates there are 20 to 40 million cases of pertussis annually. Pertussis vaccines played a pivotal role in reducing the burden of pertussis disease as well as in infant morbidity and mortality. Although the two forms of pertussis vaccine are effective, each has its advantages and drawbacks. This paper aims to review the current knowledge on pertussis vaccine, emphasizing vaccine effectiveness in different populations in a community. Clinical trials have shown favorable vaccine efficacy with acellular pertussis (aP) vaccine. However, observation and population-level studies showed that introducing at least a single dose of whole-cell pertussis (wP) vaccine within the routine immunization schedule is associated with better disease protection and a longer duration of immunity. On the other hand, wP vaccine is more reactogenic and associated with higher adverse events. Therefore, the selection of vaccine should be weighed against the effectiveness, reactogenicity, and cost-effectiveness. Due to its safety profile, aP vaccine can be offered to wider population groups. Booster adolescent and pregnant immunization programs have been implemented globally to control outbreaks and protect vulnerable infants. Due to the variable effectiveness performance of both vaccines, different countries adopted distinctive immunization programs. Determining the right vaccination approach depends on financial consideration, immunization program infrastructure, adverse event monitoring, and pertussis surveillance in the community.

Background Puberty is a period of rapid growth and hormonal changes and is often characterized by deterioration in glycemic control, and all of these factors may promote the development of diabetes complications . Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a serious disease and it causes a number of chronic diseases such as Ketoacidosis, cardiovascular disease, renal failure, and neuropathy. The purpose of the study was to determine the knowledge level of student regarding diabetic management and its effect on their health. Methods: A descriptive study design was used. A non-probability Convince sample of diabetic children/ adolescents the total sample 85 child/ adolescents patient met the study criteria age between 10 to 15 years. The study was conducted at in one governmental health care center in Riyadh city. Knowledge was measured by using (DKT) used to assess diabetes related knowledge of the respondents as regards diagnosis, treatment, complications and lifestyle. Results. The result showed that two third of the children (42.2%) were in the age group more than 14years (i.e. early adolescence stage), 99% of the children had type 1 diabetes mellitus (48.4% males and 50.6% females). While 41.5%, for both gender had the onset of diabetes since 1 year. More than have used insulin two times a day (55.6%), the majority of the sample didn't know which type of insulin they used (57.8%) As regard children's if they do reds blood sugar at home moat more than half do it twice a day in addition the majority used blood test by strips. Also in this study the older children were found more educative and development in their self-care than younger children CONCLUSION This research is an important first step in identifying areas for continued intervention efforts for children/adolescents with type I diabetes, their parents, nurses and diabetes educators. Future researchers should examine additional factors related to children's and adolescents' knowledge, including differences in what they know and want to know based on the child's gender, age, glycemic control, and diabetes management practices.

Background. Although most neonates with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection experience only mild disease, its impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes is unknown. This study aimed to assess the 18-month neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants who had SARS-CoV-2 infection as neonates. Methods. The authors conducted a prospective cohort study of neonates diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection from June 2020 to December 2020 through nasopharyngeal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A total of 58 neonates were identified from the Kuwait National COVID-19 Registry and enrolled. Historical controls were selected from the neonatal follow-up registry and matched in a 2 : 1 ratio based on sex and gestational age. When the subjects were 18 months of age, their neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed by two trained assessors using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-3rd Edition (BSID-III). Results. Forty children diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in the final analysis. The median age at infection was 18 days (range: 10–26 days). Eighteen (45%) patients were asymptomatic, 15 (37.5%) had a sepsis-like presentation, 5 (12.5%) exhibited respiratory distress, and 2 (5%) had a multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)-like presentation. At the 18 months follow-up, only one child showed a severe developmental delay and one child had a language delay. BSID-III outcomes did not differ significantly between the SARS-CoV-2-infected and control groups. Conclusions There was no difference in neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 months in children infected with SARS-CoV-2 compared with controls, although longer neurodevelopmental follow-up studies are required.