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Background Although COVID-19 is associated with a mild course in children, a certain proportion requires admission to hospital due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and coexisting diseases. The prospective multicenter study aimed to analyze clinical factors influencing the length of the hospital stay (LoHS) in children with COVID-19. Methods The study included 1283 children from 14 paediatric infectious diseases departments with diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Children were assessed in respective centres regarding indications for admission to hospital and clinical condition. History data, clinical findings, laboratory parameters, treatment, and outcome, were collected in the paediatric SARSTer register. The group of children with a hospital stays longer than seven days was compared to the remaining patients. Parameters with a statistically significant difference were included in further logistic regression analysis. Results One thousand one hundred and ten children were admitted to the hospital, 763 children were hospitalized >24 h and 173 children >7 days. 268 children had comorbidities. Two hundred and eleven children had an additional diagnosis with coinfections present in 135 children (11%). Factors increasing the risk of higher LoHS included pneumonia [odds ratio—OR 3.028; 95% confidence interval—CI (1.878–4.884)], gastrointestinal symptoms [OR = 1.556; 95%CI (1.049–2.322)], or rash [OR = 2.318; 95%CI (1.216–4.418)] in initial clinical findings. Comorbidities [OR = 2.433; 95%CI (1.662–3.563)], an additional diagnosis [OR = 2.594; 95%CI (1.679–4.007)] and the necessity of the empirical antibiotic treatment [OR = 2.834; 95%CI (2.834–6.713)] were further factors related to higher LoHS. Conclusions The clinical course of COVID-19 was mild to moderate in most children. Factors increasing the risk of higher LoHS included pneumonia, gastrointestinal symptoms, comorbidities, an additional diagnosis, and the empirical antibiotic treatment.

Introduction: Lasers and IPL action are similarly based on the selective photo thermolysis principle, where the melanin acts as chromatophore. There are, however, fundamental differences in the way...

This prospective multicenter cohort study aimed to analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children. The study, based on the pediatric part of the Polish SARSTer register, included 1283 children (0 to 18 years) who were diagnosed with COVID-19 between 1 March 2020 and 31 December 2020. Household contact was reported in 56% of cases, more frequently in younger children. Fever was the most common symptom (46%). The youngest children (0–5 years) more frequently presented with fever, rhinitis and diarrhea. Teenagers more often complained of headache, sore throat, anosmia/ageusia and weakness. One fifth of patients were reported to be asymptomatic. Pneumonia was diagnosed in 12% of patients, more frequently in younger children. During the second wave patients were younger than during the first wave (median age 53 vs. 102 months, p &lt, 0.0001) and required longer hospitalization (p &lt, 0.0001). Significantly fewer asymptomatic patients were noted and pneumonia as well as gastrointestinal symptoms were more common. The epidemiological characteristics of pediatric patients and the clinical presentation of COVID-19 are age-related. Younger children were more frequently infected by close relatives, more often suffered from pneumonia and gastrointestinal symptoms and required hospitalization. Clinical courses differed significantly during the first two waves of the pandemic.

Introduction: Laser hair removal (LHR) has become one of the most popular treatments in aesthetics. Side effects are an inevitable part of laser therapy, therefore managing them is crucial for every laser practitioner to ensure patients’ safety along with achieving the best results. The available references describe the effectiveness of the diode LHR for all skin types according to the Fitzpatrick scale, but the question of patient safety and minimization of side effects and postoperative complications in mixed-race patients remains unanswered. This study aims to illustrate aspects of specific side effects in patients of mixed ethnicity and the impact of those effects on the results of the treatment. Methods: The study was conducted in Poland and the United Kingdom on 216 patients of various ethnic backgrounds. This study analyses the frequency of side effects in a mixed-race group of 32 participants, taking into account their skin type according to the Fitzpatrick scale. The patients received a course of 6 treatments using diode laser 805 nm. An objective and a subjective method were used to analyse treatment results and side effects, with adverse effects documented, if observed. Treatment settings were adjusted to skin reaction during the patch test. Results: Objective analysis was different from the subjective analysis of the treatment’s effectiveness. No adverse effects were observed. Side effects such as hyperpigmentation, skin irritation, skin burns, and skin hypersensitivity were found. Conclusion: 805 nm diode laser is effective and efficient at hair removal in mixed-race patients. It is a safe treatment in terms of skin reaction as only short-term side effects were observed in the treated area and no adverse effects were noted. To achieve the best results and to avoid adverse effects it is necessary to adjust treatment settings according to the individual patient’s skin reaction.

Introduction: As hair removal has become most popular in aesthetics, the management of its side effects is crucial for every practitioner. Available studies describe the effectiveness of the diode laser hair removal for all skin types according to the Fitzpatrick scale independently, but the question of the occurrence of side effects and adverse effects remains unanswered. This study aims to illustrate aspects of side effects for patients of various ethnicities and the impact of those on the effectiveness of the treatment. Methods: The research was carried out in Poland and the United Kingdom from March 2016 to March 2019. 217 people of various ethnic origins were qualified for the study, 206 sessions were completed and statistical analysis was performed. The procedure was performed in the pubic area with diode lasers with a wavelength of 805 nm, minimum peak power of 2100 W and pulse duration between 15 and 400 ms. ET sapphire cooling assisted handle 9 x 9 mm large and pulse energy density between 10 and 100 J/cm2 were used for all treatments. In addition, in order to illustrate the effectiveness of treatments, the subjective and objective analyses of hair loss percentages were indicated. In statistical analysis, the chi-square test for independence was used to evaluate the correlation between the type and severity of side effects and the ethnic origin of patients, the number of treatments, the Fitzpatrick scale and the level of satisfaction. Results: The occurrence of sensitivity depended statistically significantly (P=0.002) on ethnicity. Ethnicity had no significant effect on the occurrence of erythema. The occurrence of hyperpigmentation statistically significantly depended (PConclusion: The treatment with the use of diode lasers for all subjects with different ethnicity and thus the recognized scale according to Fitzpatrick is effective and safe. The occurring side effects are transient and do not impact the effect of the whole therapy.

Because the optimal treatment for COVID-19 is still unknown, it is important to explore every potential way of improving the chances of survival for COVID-19 patients. The aim of the study was to analyze the effectiveness of convalescent plasma on COVID-19 patients. The study population consisted of 78 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, selected from the SARSTer national database, who received convalescent plasma. The impact on clinical and laboratory parameters was assessed. A clinical improvement was observed in 62 (79%) patients, and 10 (13%) patients died from COVID-19. No side effects of the convalescent plasma treatment were observed. When plasma was administered earlier than 7 days from diagnosis, the total hospitalization time was shorter (p &lt, 0.05). Plasma efficacy was inferior to remdesivir in endpoints such as the necessity and duration of oxygen therapy, the duration of hospitalization, and mortality rate, and inferior to other drugs in the case of the duration of hospitalization and the necessity of constant oxygen therapy, but comparable in most other measured endpoints. A comparison of a 30-day mortality rate in patients who received plasma and remdesivir (4/25, 16%) and who received only plasma (6/53, 11%) showed no significant difference. Convalescent plasma efficacy is inferior to remdesivir when treating COVID-19 patients but the addition of remdesivir to plasma does not improve the treatment effectiveness. In most endpoints, plasma was comparable to other treatment options. In our opinion, convalescent plasma may be used as a supportive treatment in COVID-19 patients because of the low frequency of adverse effects and availability, but must be given as early from the diagnosis as possible.

Background Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Neither vaccination nor past infection provides long-term immunity. Aim The analysis of the serological tests applicability for the diagnosis of pertussis in people from outbreaks. Material and methods After a case of pertussis had been confirmed in school student in Wroclaw, we analyzed the incidence of cough in her contact group. The study involved 91 people: 75 students and 16 teachers. Subjects were divided into 3 groups: with cough lasting ≥ 2 weeks, B. pertussis . The results of serological test were compared with a control group, composed of sera of 65 high school students from a school in another city, aged 13–16 years, who were diagnosed for rubella. Results Pertussis bacilli were isolated from one person – a teacher. 19/91 people (21%) were diagnosed with whooping cough. Comparison of serological results showed a significantly higher incidence of high IgG levels (≥ 80 U/ml) and positive IgA in patients with cough lasting over 2 weeks compared to the group without coughing (IgG 18/40 vs 4/41 [p = 0.006]; IgA 20/20 vs . 7/41 [p = 0.025]). None of diagnosed patients was suspected of pertussis. Among those with confirmed disease 15/20 patients had paroxysmal cough, 19/20 had night coughing. In the control group 13 people had positive IgG antibody titers and 3 had weakly positive IgA antibodies. Conclusions Single serological test (IgA i IgG) is useful in the diagnosis of Bordetella pertussis infections in patients from the outbreak. Whooping cough in vaccinated individuals proceeds as persistent cough.

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the lifestyle of Polish women (characterized by the quality of diets and levels of reported physical activity) and their characteristics such as age, place of residence, physical activity at work or school, reported health status, and BMI. The sample consisted of 882 women from Southern Poland. Diet quality and the level of physical activity were evaluated by the Nutrition Beliefs Questionnaire established by the Polish Academy of Sciences. The lifestyle category (healthy, moderate, or unhealthy) was based on &ldquo, Prohealthy Diet Index-10&rdquo, and participant&rsquo, s self-assessed physical activity during their leisure-time. The lifestyle category was significantly associated with age, BMI, physical activity at work/school, and health. Moderate lifestyle (high or moderate levels of physical activity combined with low prohealthy diet) was the most commonly found classification in examined women. Age (&gt, 35 years old) and overweight are the main factors determining unhealthy lifestyle behavior. Healthy lifestyle is more often chosen by the women from big cities. More intensive efforts should be undertaken to increase the knowledge and awareness of the health benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The main goal should be concentrated on increasing the level of physical activity, especially in leisure time, and promoting the tenets of a well-balanced diet.

Wprowadzenie Praca stanowi podsumowanie ankiety przeprowadzonej w ramach programu PEGAZ realizowanego Polsce w 2007 r. Cel Celem pracy jest zebranie informacji dotyczących: mozliwości opieki nad dziecmi z autoimmunologicznym zapaleniem wątroby, doświadczen i wyposazenia ośrodkow sprawujących opieke nad tymi pacjentami oraz szacunkowej liczby pacjentow i ich charakterystyki. Wyniki Ankiety uzyskano z 18 ośrodkow rozmieszczonych rownomiernie na terenie Polski. Wiekszośc ośrodkow dysponuje odpowiednim zapleczem diagnostycznym, choc mogą wystepowac problemy z diagnostyką roznicową choroby Wilsona i niedoboru alfa-1-antytrypsyny oraz badaniami PCR w kierunku zakazen HBV i HCV. Stwierdzono duze zroznicowanie pomiedzy ośrodkami w standardach oceny badania patomorfologicznego. Łącznie w ośrodkach leczonych jest okolo 250–300 dzieci z AZW, co pozwala szacowac czestośc wystepowania choroby na 3–4 przypadki na 100 tys. Wiekszośc pacjentow stanowią dziewczynki, a średni wiek chorych to 11 lat. Zanotowano 6 zgonow, u 11 pacjentow przeszczepiono wątrobe. Wiekszośc pacjentow jest zarejestrowana w ośrodku centralnym, prowadzącym rowniez leczenie transplantologiczne. Wnioski Zebrane dane wskazują, ze w sposob spontaniczny powstal system opieki nad pacjentami z AZW. Wprowadzenie wspolnych standardow postepowania moze poprawic jego funkcjonowanie.

Liczba dzieci zakazonych HIV wzrasta, a wraz z nią liczba pacjentow z powiklaniami sercowymi. Powiklania te są roznorodne, a ich objawy niecharakterystyczne. U dzieci z kardiomiopatią rozstrzeniową (CMD) w przebiegu zakazenia HIV mogą wystepowac objawy niewydolności serca, ale cześciej obserwuje sie przebieg sugerujący infekcje ukladu oddechowego. Wszystkie dzieci HIV-dodatnie z objawami zajecia ukladu oddechowego, nie reagującymi na konwencjonalne leczenie, powinny miec przeprowadzoną diagnostyke kardiologiczną W pracy przedstawiono przypadek 2,5-letniego chlopca z objawami kardiomiopatii rozstrzeniowej w przebiegu zakazenia HIV.