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Abstract Background According to several recently published studies, pediatric Corona virus infection is mostly mild. However, a severe COVID-19 illness could occur in children, resulting in grave outcomes. Unfortunately, the data regarding the major determinants of disease progression in the pediatric population is still limited. Here, we aimed to identify the most significant risk factors associated with severe COVID-19 infection in children to predict the patients at elevated risk for serious illness. Results This single-center, retrospective study enrolled eighty hospitalized children and adolescents under the age of 18 years with coronavirus type 2 infections, who were divided according to the level of clinical severity into severe and non-severe groups. Epidemiological data, clinical features, radiological findings, laboratory test results, and disease outcomes of the studied patients were collected and analyzed to demonstrate their relation to disease severity. Patients with severe illness tend to have more respiratory symptoms (97.8% vs. 79.4%, p = 0.007), cardiac affection (23 (50.0%) vs. 5 (14.7%), p = 0.001, and neurological involvement (13 (28.1%) vs. 1 (2.9%), p = 0.003). Furthermore, abnormal radiological findings and higher radiological scores were significantly more common among patients with severe disease compared to non-severe cases (p = 0.037, 0.013). In multivariable analysis, clinical scoring, abnormal coagulation function, and ICU admission were the most significant parameters for forecasting severe illness. Conclusions We identified the most remarkable parameters involved in the progression of severe disease in Egyptian children with COVID-19 infection, which may be implemented in anticipation of susceptible children for earlier prompt management and a better prognosis.

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus called the novel coronavirus caused the pandemic coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). All over the world, SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia is causing significant short-term morbidity and mortality, but the medium-term impact on lung function and quality of life of affected patients is still unknown. Aims: To assess clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters of COVID-19 Patients and to correlate radiological findings and disease severity among patients. Methodology: In this retrospective observational study a total of 630 patients with radiologically confirmed pneumonia and COVID-19 RT PCR positive were included from a tertiary care centre in Pune, Maharashtra, following their voluntary informed consent. Patients underwent clinical, laboratory, and radiological investigations. Results: It was observed that the majority 174 (27.6%) were in the age group of 31 to 40 years and male predominance was observed compared to female. The majority of the patients 314 (49.8%) had mild, 232 (36.8%) were moderate and 84 (13.3%) had severe illness as per CT scores (HRCT Chest score). Mean BSL levels were 181 ± 81.44, mean pulse rate was 94.03 ± 14.93 bpm, mean respiratory rate was 22.84 ± 3.71cpm, systolic blood pressure was 129.09 ± 13.18 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure was 82.80 ± 9.67mmHg and mean temperature was 98.56 ± 1.67 °F. The mean ferritin levels were 181 ± 81.44, the mean LDH level was 94.03 ± 14.93, mean HbA1C was 7.45 ± 1.68. The mean NLR was 5.51 ± 2.41, the mean WBC count was 7238.38 ± 4942.23 and the mean hematocrit was 39.69 ± 4.80. The mean D dimer level was 402.29 ± 424.70, median levels were 260 (170-450). 503 (79.8%) had CRP levels more than 5 and 127 (20.2%) had levels less than 5. The mean duration of hospital stay was 9.18 days ± 4.34 days. Majority 570 (90.5%) had fever, 493 (78.3%) had cough, 286 (45.4%) had breathlessness, 66 (10.5%) had sore throat. Other symptoms include vomiting, and loose motion in 17 (2.7%). Among 630 subjects included in the present study, the majority 584 (92.7%) have recovered/were discharged from the hospital and 46 (7.3%) succumbed to the illness. The mean SGOT and SGPT levels were 44.86± 31.29 and 43.60 ± 31.25 respectively. Mean serum creatinine and BUN levels were 0.87± 0.80 and 13.96 ± 9.46 respectively. The mean values of pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate and temperature showed an increasing trend across the grades of severity. Conclusion: We concluded that age, gender, blood sugar level, blood pressure, clinical symptoms, comorbidities, inflammatory biomarkers and CT severity score were independently associated with the severity and mortality based on our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pandemics are natural calamities, which humans have been encountering since time im-memorial. The world has witnessed and endured several pandemics like from Justinian Plague to Spanish Flu. The 21st century has already witnessed three major pandemics like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2002, Middle East Respiratory syndrome in 2012 and at present COVID-19. The first case of COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan, Hubein Province in Dec 2019. The first case of COVID-19 was reported in Kerala on 30th January 2020. COVID-19 virus is a single stranded RNA Virus and resembles SARS -2 virus and hence the name SARS -COV 2. There has been a report of around 34 million cases with 1 million deaths. Majority of the deaths occur in the elderly population as they have immunosenescence and multiple comorbidities. Hence a study aiming at analysis of correlation between SpO2, radiological and biochemical markers is essential in management of COVID 19 in elderly. Aims & Objectives: To study the correlation between SpO2 and radiological features in X ray and CT Chest and biochemical markers with the severity and outcome in geriatric patients. Study Period: April 2020 to September 2020, Duration: 6 months. Study Centre: Chengalpattu Medical College, Tamilnadu. Inclusion Criteria: RT PCR positive Covid 19 patients more than 60 years of age. Exclusion Criteria: Covid 19 patients less than 60 years, RT PCR Negative patients. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of records of 300 Covid 19 patients, aged more than 60 years hospitalized in Chengalpattu Medical College during April to September 2020 was done and biochemical parameters mentioned below were corelated with features in CXR and CT Chest RTPCR positive spo2 and analysis with severity of disease and outcome was done. Results and Discussion: On retrospective analysis of records of elderly Covid 19 patients, it was observed that the elderly could be graded as mild, moderate and severe based on clinical criteria. Radiological parameters co-relating in the same group classified as mild, moderate and severe could be derived and could be used for assessment of patients. Similarly, it was observed that the biochemical parameters of D- Dimer, C reactive protein, Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio correlated most significantly in that order with the clinical severity of disease and hence could be used as useful tools for assessment of severity of patients and the ranges corelating with severity could be derived. Conclusion: Analyzing SpO2, radiological features, biochemical parameters individually and in combination with clinical severity and outcome in elderly patients helps in deriving biochemical and radiological parameters to predict severity which in turn helps in a holistic approach and right management at the right time preventing or reducing mortality due to Covid 19 in the elderly.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading across the globe at an alarming rate. The number of COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia is increasing daily. Saudi Arabia is a hot zone for outbreaks of infectious diseases like COVID-19, especially the Makkah area. Hence, determining the clinical characteristics along with serological, hematological, and radiological abnormalities in COVID-19 patients is important for epidemiological decision-making, such as control and surveillance strategies. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study done in a single health-care hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, for 4-month period. We include admitted COVID-19 patients (confirmed with qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction test) of any gender with age >14 years. The complete data of COVID-19 patients were extracted from electronic medical records. Data were analyzed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23. Categorical variables were presented as counts and percentages, where means and standard deviations (SDs) were extracted for continuous variables. Fisher's exact test was applied to assess association with mortality. Results: Total enrolled cases were 226. The mean age of the patients was 58 years with SD (±0.4458) and 95% confidence interval (2.688–2.810). The common clinical presentations were fever (77.4%), cough (77%), shortness of breath (53.5%), and myalgia (37.2%). Lymphopenia was observed in 54.4%, anemia in 8.4%, leukopenia in 16.4%, and thrombocytopenia in 9.3% of the patients. The fatality rate was 8.4% (n = 19) over this 4-month period. Conclusion: Advanced age and comorbidity plays a pivotal role in disease mortality. Elderly people's constant evaluation and management is of fundamental importance to decrease mortality.

Abstract Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is only one of the many possible infectious and non-infectious diseases that may occur with similar imaging features in patients undergoing [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) monitoring, particularly in the most fragile oncologic patients. We briefly summarise some key radiological elements of differential diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases which, in our opinion, could be extremely useful for physicians reporting 18FDG PET/CT scans, not only during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also for their normal routine activity.

Background: Pandemics are natural calamities, which humans have been encountering since time im-memorial. The world has witnessed and endured several pandemics like from Justinian Plague to Spanish Flu. The 21st century has already witnessed three major pandemics like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2002, Middle East Respiratory syndrome in 2012 and at present COVID-19. The first case of COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan, Hubein Province in Dec 2019. The first case of COVID-19 was reported in Kerala on 30th January 2020. COVID-19 virus is a single stranded RNA Virus and resembles SARS -2 virus and hence the name SARS -COV 2. There has been a report of around 34 million cases with 1 million deaths. Majority of the deaths occur in the elderly population as they have immunosenescence and multiple comorbidities. Hence a study aiming at analysis of correlation between SpO2, radiological and biochemical markers is essential in management of COVID 19 in elderly. Aims & Objectives: To study the correlation between SpO2 and radiological features in X ray and CT Chest and biochemical markers with the severity and outcome in geriatric patients. Study Period: April 2020 to September 2020, Duration: 6 months. Study Centre: Chengalpattu Medical College, Tamilnadu. Inclusion Criteria: RT PCR positive Covid 19 patients more than 60 years of age. Exclusion Criteria: Covid 19 patients less than 60 years, RT PCR Negative patients. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of records of 300 Covid 19 patients, aged more than 60 years hospitalized in Chengalpattu Medical College during April to September 2020 was done and biochemical parameters mentioned below were corelated with features in CXR and CT Chest RTPCR positive spo2 and analysis with severity of disease and outcome was done. Results and Discussion: On retrospective analysis of records of elderly Covid 19 patients, it was observed that the elderly could be graded as mild, moderate and severe based on clinical criteria. Radiological parameters co-relating in the same group classified as mild, moderate and severe could be derived and could be used for assessment of patients. Similarly, it was observed that the biochemical parameters of D-Dimer, C reactive protein, Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio correlated most significantly in that order with the clinical severity of disease and hence could be used as useful tools for assessment of severity of patients and the ranges corelating with severity could be derived. Conclusion: Analyzing SpO2, radiological features, biochemical parameters individually and in combination with clinical severity and outcome in elderly patients helps in deriving biochemical and radiological parameters to predict severity which in turn helps in a holistic approach and right management at the right time preventing or reducing mortality due to Covid 19 in the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading across the globe at an alarming rate. The number of COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia is increasing daily. Saudi Arabia is a hot zone for outbreaks of infectious diseases like COVID-19, especially the Makkah area. Hence, determining the clinical characteristics along with serological, hematological, and radiological abnormalities in COVID-19 patients is important for epidemiological decision-making, such as control and surveillance strategies. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study done in a single health-care hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, for 4-month period. We include admitted COVID-19 patients (confirmed with qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction test) of any gender with age >14 years. The complete data of COVID-19 patients were extracted from electronic medical records. Data were analyzed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23. Categorical variables were presented as counts and percentages, where means and standard deviations (SDs) were extracted for continuous variables. Fisher's exact test was applied to assess association with mortality. Results: Total enrolled cases were 226. The mean age of the patients was 58 years with SD (±0.4458) and 95% confidence interval (2.688–2.810). The common clinical presentations were fever (77.4%), cough (77%), shortness of breath (53.5%), and myalgia (37.2%). Lymphopenia was observed in 54.4%, anemia in 8.4%, leukopenia in 16.4%, and thrombocytopenia in 9.3% of the patients. The fatality rate was 8.4% (n = 19) over this 4-month period. Conclusion: Advanced age and comorbidity plays a pivotal role in disease mortality. Elderly people's constant evaluation and management is of fundamental importance to decrease mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In mid-December 2019, a novel atypical pneumonia broke out in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China and was caused by a newly identified coronavirus, initially termed 2019 Novel Coronavirus and subsequently severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of 19 May 2020, a total of 4,731,458 individuals were reported as infected with SARS-CoV-2 among 213 countries, areas or territories with recorded cases, and the overall case-fatality rate was 6.6% (316,169 deaths among 4,731,458 recorded cases), according to the World Health Organization. Studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 is notably similar to (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus) SARS-CoV that emerged in 2002-2003 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) that spread during 2012, and these viruses all contributed to global pandemics. The ability of SARS-CoV-2 to rapidly spread a pneumonia-like disease from Hubei Province, China, throughout the world has provoked widespread concern. The main symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) include fever, cough, myalgia, fatigue and lower respiratory signs. At present, nucleic acid tests are widely recommended as the optimal method for detecting SARS-CoV-2. However, obstacles remain, including the global shortage of testing kits and the presentation of false negatives. Experts suggest that almost everyone in China is susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and to date, there are no effective treatments. In light of the references published, this review demonstrates the biological features, spread, diagnosis and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 as a whole and aims to analyse the similarities and differences among SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV to provide new ideas and suggestions for prevention, diagnosis and clinical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has officially been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Radiological examinations, especially computed tomography (CT), play an important role in the fight against COVID-19. A comprehensive and timely review of radiological role in the fight against COVID-19 remains urgent and mandatory. Hence, the aim of this review is to summarize the radiological role in the fight against COVID-19. This review of current studies on COVID-19 provides insight into the radiological role in the detection, diagnosis, and monitoring for COVID-19. The typical radiological features of COVID-19 include bilateral, multifocal, and multilobar ground glass opacification with patchy consolidation, a peripheral/subpleural or posterior distribution (or both), mainly in the lower lobes. A combination of chest CT and repeat Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing may be beneficial for the diagnosis of COVID-19 in the setting of strongly clinical suspicion. Chest CT may improve the sensitivity for COVID-19 diagnosis, but patients' exposure to radiation should be kept as low as possible especially for children and pregnant women patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is only one of the many possible infectious and non-infectious diseases that may occur with similar imaging features in patients undergoing [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) monitoring, particularly in the most fragile oncologic patients. We briefly summarise some key radiological elements of differential diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases which, in our opinion, could be extremely useful for physicians reporting 18FDG PET/CT scans, not only during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also for their normal routine activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]