High risk of thromboembolic events in children with long Covid

Highlighting the necessity of taking the Covid-19 vaccine, a CDC MMWR study says that children with long Covid are at higher risk for serious illness such as acute pulmonary embolism, myocarditis and cardiomyopathy and venous thromboembolism. The adjusted hazard ratio for myocarditis and cardiomyopathy was 1.99; the aHR for pulmonary embolism was 2.01, 1.87 for venous thromboembolism and 1.32 for acute renal failure.¹ 

Updated ACG guideline recommends scintigraphy as standard diagnostic test

In its updated guideline on gastroparesis, the American College of Gastroenterology makes a strong recommendation for the use of scintigraphy as a standard test to diagnose gastroparesis in patients with upper GI symptoms. Medications like prokinetics, anti-emetics should be discontinued 48 hours before taking the test. The guidelines recommends against radiopaque markers testing to diagnose gastroparesis. A small particle diet is recommended to improve gastric emptying. Pharmacologic treatment may be considered for symptomatic relief.² 

Increase risk of heart failure in women with premature menopause

A study of more than 1.4 million women found that those who attain menopause at an early age, before 40 years, may be at greater risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation with hazard ratios of 1.33 and 1.09, respectively in comparison to women without premature menopause. The importance of a healthy lifestyle should be stressed upon in women with premature menopause.³ 

Now monoclonal antibodies for malaria 

A NIH study has found that a single injection of L9LS, a next-generation antimalarial monoclonal antibody administered intravenously or subcutaneously, were protected from controlled human malaria infection in adults. Fifteen of the 17 volunteers were fully protected from malaria during the 21-day challenge period in this phase 1 trial. Trials are being carried out in infants and children.⁴ 

References

1. Kompaniyets L, et al. Post-COVID-19 symptoms and conditions among children and adolescents - United States, March 1, 2020-January 31, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022 Aug 5;71(31):993-999. 
2. Camilleri M, et al. ACG Clinical Guideline: Gastroparesis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2022 Aug 1;117(8):1197-1220. 
3. Jean Shin, et al. Age at menopause and risk of heart failure and atrial fibrillation: a nationwide cohort study, European Heart Journal, 2022;, ehac364, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehac364.
4. Wu RL, et al. Low-dose subcutaneous or intravenous monoclonal antibody to prevent malaria. N Engl J Med. 2022 Aug 4;387(5):397-407.