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SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) has become a pandemic with a high case fatality rate that mainly affects adults. Most severely ill adult patients develop a coagulopathy that was not described until recently, and which is currently considered a main cause of death. Everything indicates that a similar phenomenon also occurs in children with COVID-19. Anticoagulant treatment has become one of the therapeutic foundations for this infection; however, its implementation in children can be difficult since, until recently, it was not considered in the pediatric population. Evidence regarding the use of anticoagulants in COVID-19 is rapidly generated, changes constantly, it is often difficult to interpret, and can be contradictory. After an extensive review of the published literature, a proposal was generated that offers suggestions for anticoagulant treatment, considering available resources in Mexico.La infección por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) se ha constituido en una pandemia con alto índice de letalidad que afecta principalmente a los adultos. La mayor parte de los pacientes adultos graves desarrolla una coagulopatía que no estaba descrita, la cual actualmente se considera la principal causa de muerte. Todo indica que un fenómeno parecido ocurre también en el niño con COVID-19. El tratamiento anticoagulante se ha convertido en uno de los fundamentos terapéuticos de esta infección; sin embargo, su establecimiento en el niño puede ser difícil ya que, hasta hace poco, no estaba considerado en la población pediátrica. La evidencia respecto al uso de anticoagulantes en COVID-19 se genera con rapidez, cambia constantemente, con frecuencia es difícil de interpretar y puede ser contradictoria. Después de una extensa revisión de la literatura publicada, se generó una propuesta que ofrece sugerencias para el tratamiento anticoagulante en la que se consideran los recursos disponibles en México.

Background Mexico City has one of the highest incidences and mortality rates of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the world and a high frequency of early relapses (17%) and early mortality (15%). Otherwise, childhood overweight and obesity are reaching epidemic proportions. They have been associated with poor outcomes in children with ALL. The aim of present study was to identify if overweight and obesity are predictors of early mortality and relapse in Mexican children with ALL. Methods A multicenter cohort study was conducted. ALL children younger than 15 years old were included and followed-up during the first 24 months after diagnosis. Overweight and obesity were classified according World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. Early mortality and early relapses were the main outcomes. Results A total of 1070 children were analyzed. Overweight/obesity at diagnosis were predictors of early mortality (WHO: HR = 1.4, 95%CI:1.0–2.0; CDC: HR = 1.6, 95%CI:1.1–2.3). However, no associations between overweight (WHO: HR = 1.5, 95%CI:0.9–2.5; CDC: HR = 1.0; 95% CI:0.6–1.6) and obesity (WHO: HR = 1.5, 95%CI:0.7–3.2; CDC: HR = 1.4; 95%CI:0.9–2.3) with early relapse were observed. Conclusions Overweight and obese patients embody a subgroup with high risk of dying during leukemia treatment. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-5878-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is the cause of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has a high case fatality rate. Most severely ill patients develop a special type of coagulopathy that had not been described before and that is now considered the main cause of death. For this reason, anticoagulant treatment has become one of the cornerstones of the treatment of this infection. However, the rate at which the evidence regarding the use of anticoagulants is generated is quite fast, and sometimes it is difficult to interpret and conflicting. After having performed an extensive review of the published literature, this proposal for the use of anticoagulant treatment is made, taking into account available resources in Mexico.La infección por coronavirus 2 del síndrome respiratorio agudo grave (SARS-CoV-2) es la causante de la pandemia de enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), con un índice de letalidad alto. La mayoría de los pacientes graves desarrollan un tipo especial de coagulopatía no descrito hasta ahora y la cual se considera ahora la principal causa de muerte. Por esta razón, el tratamiento anticoagulante se ha convertido en una de las piedras angulares del tratamiento de esta infección. Sin embargo, la velocidad con la que se genera la evidencia respecto al uso de anticoagulantes es muy rápida y, en ocasiones difícil de interpretar y contradictoria. Luego de hacer una revisión extensa de la literatura publicada, se hace esta propuesta para el uso del tratamiento anticoagulante tomando en cuenta los recursos disponibles en México.

SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) has become a pandemic with a high case fatality rate that mainly affects adults. Most severely ill adult patients develop a coagulopathy that was not described until recently, and which is currently considered a main cause of death. Everything indicates that a similar phenomenon also occurs in children with COVID-19. Anticoagulant treatment has become one of the therapeutic foundations for this infection; however, its implementation in children can be difficult since, until recently, it was not considered in the pediatric population. Evidence regarding the use of anticoagulants in COVID-19 is rapidly generated, changes constantly, it is often difficult to interpret, and can be contradictory. After an extensive review of the published literature, a proposal was generated that offers suggestions for anticoagulant treatment, considering available resources in Mexico.

INTRODUCTION Development of inhibitors is the most serious complication in patients with haemophilia (PWH). The prevalence of inhibitors in patients with severe haemophilia A (HA) is approximately 25%-30%. Inhibitor prevalence differs among populations. Some studies report a prevalence of almost twice in Hispanic as compared to Caucasian patients. Most data available, on the prevalence of inhibitors and their predisposing factors, originate from centres in developed countries. AIM Establish the prevalence of inhibitors of FVIII and FIX in Mexico. METHODS This was an observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study. The records of all patients diagnosed with haemophilia A (HA) or B (HB), with and without inhibitors, were included. Clinical and demographical characteristics of patients with inhibitors were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 22. The Ethics Committees of the various participating institutions approved this study. RESULTS A total of 1455 patients from the 20 participating centres were recruited, from which 1208 (83.02%) had HA and 247 (16.97%) were diagnosed with HB. The presence of inhibitors in severe HA was reported in 93/777(11.96%), and 10/162 (6.17%) in severe HB. Of them, 91.7% exhibited high titres in HA and 100% in HB. CONCLUSION In Mexico, the general prevalence of inhibitors varies considerably among centres. This study established a basis of comparison for future development and advances in the treatment and follow-up of patients. These findings also augment our understanding of risk factors related to inhibitor development.

Evidence showing the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in leukemogenesis have emerged in the last decade. It has been proposed that these genes can be used as diagnosis and/or prognosis biomarkers in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). To know if lncRNAs are associated with early relapse and early mortality, a microarray-based gene expression analysis in children with B-lineage ALL (B-ALL) was conducted. Cox regression analyses were performed. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. LINC00152 and LINC01013 were among the most differentially expressed genes in patients with early relapse and early mortality. For LINC00152 high expression, the risks of relapse and death were HR: 4.16 (95% CI: 1.46&ndash, 11.86) and HR: 1.99 (95% CI: 0.66&ndash, 6.02), respectively, for LINC01013 low expression, the risks of relapse and death were HR: 3.03 (95% CI: 1.14&ndash, 8.05) and HR: 6.87 (95% CI: 1.50&ndash, 31.48), respectively. These results were adjusted by NCI risk criteria and chemotherapy regimen. The lncRNA&ndash, mRNA co-expression analysis showed that LINC00152 potentially regulates genes involved in cell substrate adhesion and peptidyl&ndash, tyrosine autophosphorylation biological processes. The results of the present study point out that LINC00152 could be a potential biomarker of relapse in children with B-ALL.

In Mexico, due to the high rates of diabetes, overweight, and obesity, there has also been noted an increased newborn weight, which may be contributing to the elevated incidence rate of childhood acute leukemia (AL). We conducted a case–control study in public hospitals of Mexico City aimed to know whether a greater weight at birth is associated with a higher risk of developing leukemia. We included incident cases with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) diagnosed between 2010 and 2015. Controls were frequency‐matched to the cases by age, sex, and health institution. Logistic regression analysis was performed adjusting risks by child's sex, overcrowding index, birth order, and mother's age at the time of pregnancy. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. A total of 1455 cases and 1455 controls were included. An evident association between ALL and child's birthweight ≥2500 g was found (aOR 2.06; 95% CI: 1.59, 2.66) and also, in those with birthweight ≥3500 g (aOR 1.19; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.41). In AML patients with birthweight ≥2500 g and ≥3500 g, an aOR of 1.77 (95% CI: 1.07, 2.94) and 1.42 (95% CI: 1.03–1.95) was observed, respectively. No association was noticed with either type of AL and a birthweight ≥4000 g. To sum up, we found a moderate association between not having a low birthweight and an increased risk of acute leukemias. Birthweight ≥3500 g was also a risk factor for both types of leukemia. This suggests that a greater birthweight may increase the risk of acute leukemias in Mexican children.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common type of childhood cancer worldwide. Mexico City has one of the highest incidences and mortality rates of this cancer. It has previously been recognized that chromosomal translocations are important in cancer etiology. Specific fusion genes have been considered as important treatment targets in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The present research aimed at the identification and characterization of novel fusion genes with potential clinical implications in Mexican children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The RNA-sequencing approach was used. Four fusion genes not previously reported were identified: CREBBP-SRGAP2B, DNAH14-IKZF1, ETV6-SNUPN, ETV6-NUFIP1. Although a fusion gene is not sufficient to cause leukemia, it could be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Notably, these new translocations were found in genes encoding for hematopoietic transcription factors which are known to play an important role in leukemogenesis and disease prognosis such as IKZF1, CREBBP, and ETV6. In addition, they may have an impact on the prognosis of Mexican pediatric patients with ALL, with the potential to be included in the current risk stratification schemes or used as therapeutic targets.

Summary. von Willebrand’s disease (VWD) is the mostcommonly inherited bleeding disorder. For a long time,it has been said that VWD was absent in some countriesdue to ethnical differences. Information about theprevalence of VWD in Mexico remains unclear, owinglargely to poor awareness and diagnosis of the disease.The aim of this study was to objectively diagnose VWDin a cohort of highly selected Mexican patients with achronic history of bleeding. Mexican Mestizos wererecruited between July 2010 and August 2011. Includedwere 133 adult and paediatric patients with a highsuspicion of VWD. Fifty-three were diagnosed withVWD: 47 (88.7%) with type 1 VWD, four (7.5%) withtype 2a VWD and two (3.8%) with type 3 VWD. Meanage for female patients was 19.5 years (range 3–44 years) and 18.5 years (range 4–63 years) for malepatients. Mean age at start of bleeding symptoms was8.8 years (range 1–61). The most frequent clinicalsymptoms were epistaxis (84.9%), ecchymosis (79.2%),haematomas (71.7%), gum bleeds (62.3%) and petechia(50.9%). Severe transoperative or postoperative bleedingwas found in 17 patients (32.1%). Twenty-six womenat childbearing age had a history of abnormalgynaecological bleeding. Our results clearly demonstratethe presence of VWD in Mexican and underscore theimportance of a more detailed description of VWD.Efforts to increase the awareness and diagnosis of VWDcould help in better identification of patients withbleeding disorders and lead to early, appropriatemanagement with safe and efficacious therapies such asdesmopressin and plasma concentrates.Keywords: Mexico, prevalence, von Willebrand factor,von Willebrand’s disease