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BACKGROUND To date, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a global health concern, with fatalities mostly in older age groups with underlying medical conditions, while children are less likely to manifest severe symptoms. CASE REPORT We describe the clinical cases of 2 brothers admitted to our Children's Hospital for persistent fever and cough during the COVID-19 pandemic. Case 1. A 1.5-year-old boy had fever, expiratory dyspnea, desaturation, oxygen saturation 94-96% with O2, and bilateral hissing and crackling rales. His interleukin-6 level in the acute phase of the disease was 100.41 and at the resolution it was 46.2 pg/ml. Treatment with amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, methylprednisolone, and O2 allowed progressive improvement of clinical conditions and laboratory data. Case 2. A 3-month-old toddler was admitted to our hospital for fever, cough, and tachypnea, which started 2 days before hospitalization. He had fever, cough, conjunctivitis, mucous rhinorrhea, and 99% oxygen saturation on room air. Thorax auscultation showed whistles and buzzes. He had a positive molecular test result from a COVID-19 swab. Interleukin-6 levels during all the phases of the disease were

Background The ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic represents an unprecedented global health challenge. Many COVID-19 symptoms are similar to symptoms that can occur in other infections. Malaria should always be considered in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection returning from endemic areas. Case presentation We present the first case of multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) and Plasmodium vivax-falciparum and SARS-CoV2 coinfection in children. Despite clearance of parassitaemia and a negative COVID-19 nasopharyngeal PCR, the patient’s clinical conditions worsened. The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria were used to make the diagnosis of MIS-C. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins and methylprednisolone was effective. Conclusions This case emphasizes the importance of considering malaria diagnosis in patients returning from endemic areas, even in the COVID 19 era. Malaria and SARS-CoV2 co-infection may increase the risk of MIS-C, for which early detection is critical for proper management.

Bronchiolitis is the most common disease of the lower respiratory tract occurring in children during their first year of life, becoming the most frequent cause of hospitalization. Although the disease can also be caused by other viruses, more than 70% of bronchiolitis cases are caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV bronchiolitis clinically presents rhinitis, coughing, increased breathing and eating difficulties; the symptoms are usually mild, but in some cases may be so severe as to require hospitalization. Diagnosis is mainly clinical and is based on a thorough medical history and a physical examination. Therapy is substantially of support, and has the aim of ensuring alimentation/hydration and optimal oxygenation. It has been recently noted that RSV infections may cause extra-pulmonary manifestations, including liver problems, as rarely described in the literature. The aim of this paper is to present three cases of RSV bronchiolitis in children with elevated transitory transaminase levels.

Acute osteomyelitis is a relatively rare disorder in the neonatal period, with considerable morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential for a successful outcome. In this report we present a case of acute osteomyelitis of the talus due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis, observed in a 30-day-old infant.

Intestinal intussusception is the invagination of an intestinal segment into another. Childhood intussusception is usually idiopathic, whereas adult intussusception is usually due to a definable intraluminal lesion or to a systemic disease. Although the aetiology of idiopathic forms often remains unclear, there is appreciable evidence to support an indirect role played by certain infectious agents. In this report we present a case of childhood intussusception probably due to adenovirus infection.