Search

Background: On 31st December 2019, the first case of infection with novel pathogenic corona virus (1-6) was detected in Wuhan city of Hubei province of China. Later, on 11th March 2020, it was recognized by WHO as pandemic. Covid-19 infection is common in children and adults but remains uncommon in neonates. Objectives: To identify the clinical presentations and outcome of neonatal covid-19. Methods: It was a retrospective hospital based observational study conducted on neonates with covid-19 infection admitted in COVID ward and COVID NICU of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital, Barpeta, Assam. Results: A total 36 neonates tested positive for covid-19 infection. 17 (47.2%) neonates were asymptomatic, 4 (11.1%) neonates had symptoms attributable to COVID 19 infection and 15 (41.6%) of the neonates had associated co-morbidities. Out of 4 symptomatic babies, 2 (50%) had mild symptoms, 1 (25%) each had moderate and severe symptoms. There was no mortality during the hospital stay. Conclusion: Most of the babies with Covid-19 were asymptomatic, out of symptomatic babies half of them had mild symptoms and there was no mortality.

Context: The pandemic of COVID-19, with its high rates of infectivity, unpredictable nature, and measures taken to deal with it such as extended periods of lockdown, has had an adverse impact on the psychological status of individuals affected by it directly or indirectly. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report from India on the psychological status of COVID-19-positive individuals. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological status of persons tested positive for COVID-19. Setting and Design: This was a case–control study in a tertiary care hospital setting at Mumbai. Materials and Methods: A total of 104 individuals detected to have positive COVID-19 status and admitted to the hospital from May 1, 2020 to May 30, 2020, were compared with 106 age- and gender-matched controls from the general population for the psychological impact of COVID-19 as measured by Perceived Stress Scale-10, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Questionnaire, Insomnia Severity Index, and World Health Organization Well-Being Index-5. Statistical Analysis Used: Group comparisons on nominal variables were analyzed by Chi-square test. P < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: About 58.6% from COVID-19-positive group and 76.4% from control group reported moderate-to-high perceived stress. Moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms were reported in 6.7% versus 15%, moderate-to-severe anxiety symptoms in 1.9% versus 14.1%, clinical insomnia in 3.8% versus 14.1%, and poor quality of well-being in 22.1% versus 35.8%, in cases versus controls, respectively. Control group reported significantly higher levels of perceived stress (P = 0.020), depressive symptoms (P = 0.021), anxiety symptoms (P = 0.013), insomnia severity (P = 0.045), and poorer well-being index (P = 0.018) compared to COVID-19-positive group. Conclusions: Despite limitations, study findings, if replicated, highlight the urgent need for incorporating psychological screening and interventions into protocols for dealing with ongoing COVID-19 pandemic not only for infected individuals but also for the community as a whole.

COVID-19 is associated with a significant distress and stigma. Due to the nature of the disease, it is difficult to conduct counseling and therapy without taking significant precautions such as wearing a complete personal protective equipment kit which impedes with rapport and dampens the speech which is quite essential for therapy. Herewith, we present a case where we used technology-based interventions, course, and outcome. Although the results of this case study cannot be generalized, few factors clearly stand out in the treatment of psychological distress among COVID-19-positive clients – psychoeducation, supportive therapy components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and management of expressed emotion may play a key role in dealing with rural population. Family interventions were used to facilitate healthy family communication pattern (using technology) toward healthier involvement, connectedness aid client's recovery in the aftermath and acceptance of COVID-19 diagnosis. Intervention should also equip and empower client and family to deal with stigma and helplessness through clarifying misconceptions, providing knowledge, and enhancing agency or mastery over circumstances. These can serve as guidelines during treatment of psychological distress among COVID-19-positive clients and their families.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to determine the frequency of COVID-19 positive antenatal patients admitted in Obstetrics & Gynecology unit Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar with the concerns that pregnant women may be more susceptible to COVID-19 as they may be more vulnerable to respiratory infection. METHODOLOGY: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Obstetrics & Gynecology units Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar from May 12th, 2020, to November 29th, 2020, screening and testing of patients admitted for childbirth was in HMC. Screening consisted of questions related to travel, contacts, and symptoms of COVID-19. All patients without a prior diagnosis of COVID-19 underwent SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of nasopharyngeal swabs, with rapid testing available. Patients scheduled for cesarean birth were screened and tested at preoperative visits RESULTS: One hundred eighty-two patients presenting for antenatal visits were screened; 6.5% (12 out of 182) were previously diagnosed with COVID-19. The remaining 170 patients were tested at admission, and 17.6% (30 out of 170) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Twenty-two of the 30 who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (73.3%) were asymptomatic. The overall prevalence of positive test results among asymptomatic patients was 14.1% (22 out of 156). The prevalence of positive test results among asymptomatic patients increased from 1.29% (2 out of 155). CONCLUSION: The evidence on this novel infection is changing almost daily, although it will likely be many months before, we can determine the true impact it will have on both maternal and fetal well‐being. In the interim, our primary responsibility is to ensure all women have access to safe maternity services. KEYWORDS: Asymptomatic, COVID-19 Positive, Antenatal Patients, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Infection

COVID-19 is associated with a significant distress and stigma. Due to the nature of the disease, it is difficult to conduct counseling and therapy without taking significant precautions such as wearing a complete personal protective equipment kit which impedes with rapport and dampens the speech which is quite essential for therapy. Herewith, we present a case where we used technology-based interventions, course, and outcome. Although the results of this case study cannot be generalized, few factors clearly stand out in the treatment of psychological distress among COVID-19-positive clients – psychoeducation, supportive therapy components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and management of expressed emotion may play a key role in dealing with rural population. Family interventions were used to facilitate healthy family communication pattern (using technology) toward healthier involvement, connectedness aid client's recovery in the aftermath and acceptance of COVID-19 diagnosis. Intervention should also equip and empower client and family to deal with stigma and helplessness through clarifying misconceptions, providing knowledge, and enhancing agency or mastery over circumstances. These can serve as guidelines during treatment of psychological distress among COVID-19-positive clients and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers certain specific issues that will be faced by low- and middle-income countries when treating psychiatric patients who test positive for COVID-19. The need for both medical and psychiatric units to do the same and challenges in the treatment and management of positive-testing patients are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a series of four patients with CHD who tested positive for COVID-19, got treated, and underwent cardiac surgery in the same sitting. All had an uneventful perioperative course similar to COVID-19-negative patients. We conclude that children with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 disease may be subjected to surgery as early as within 1 week since COVID-19 negative.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the trend of self-injurious behavior (SIB) among persons who were directly impacted by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially those with pre-existing mental disorders., Methods: Using the National Health Insurance Service-COVID-19 database cohort, the monthly SIB rate was calculated by COVID-19 subgroups (i.e., positive for COVID-19 test, negative for COVID-19 test, and non-COVID-19 test [control]). In addition, moderated regression analysis was utilized to examine the statistical difference of SIB (suicide attempt and non-suicidal self-injury using ICD-10 code) trend between COVID-19 subgroups and with and without pre-existing mental disorder., Results: A total of 328,373 persons were included in the cohort study. Of these, 212,678 had been tested for COVID-19, and 7,713 of them were confirmed positive. During the pandemic peak, the "negative for COVID-19" group showed a large increase ( P = 0.003) in SIB rates compared to the control group, the "positive for COVID-19" group showed a decreasing trend, but not significant ( P = 0.314). Among those who were tested for COVID-19, those with pre-existing mental disorders showed an increasing trend of SIB compared to those without pre-existing mental disorders, however statistically insignificant ( P = 0.137)., Conclusion: Our results suggest that people who are tested for COVID-19 are at a high risk of SIB during the peak COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, screening for suicide risk and psychological interventions is needed for these high-risk groups., Competing Interests: The authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose., (© 2022 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.)