scholarly journals #7: Clinical Characteristics of Children with COVID-19: A Multicenter Study in the United Arab Emirates

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S17-S18
Author(s):  
Farah Ennab ◽  
Mariam ElSaban ◽  
Eman Khalaf ◽  
Hanieh Tabatabaei ◽  
H K Amar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Multicenter Study ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Asymptomatic Children ◽  
Pediatric Study ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background To date, coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has infected over 82 million people globally. The first confirmed case in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)was reported on 29th January 2020. Current data suggests that children with COVID-19 have a mild disease course. There is a lack of extensive published data about COVID-19 infection among children in the Arabian Gulf region. Methods This cross-sectional multicenter study included children with confirmed COVID-19 infection admitted between March 1st and June 15th, 2020 to three large hospitals in Dubai, UAE. Serial nasal swabs for COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing were collected during hospitalization. We investigated patients’ demographics,clinical characteristics, radiological and laboratory investigations during their inpatient hospital course. Results 111 children were included in our study and represented 22 nationalities. Fifty-nine (53.2%) were boys. The mean age was 7 years (±5.3), and 15.3% of children were younger than 1 year. Only 4 (3.6%) children had pre-existing asthma, all of whom had an uneventful clinical course. At presentation 43 (38.7%) were asymptomatic, 68 (61.2%) had mild or moderate symptoms and none had severe illness requiring intensive care. Fever (20.7%), cough (19.8%) and rhinorrhea (15.3%) were the most common presenting symptoms, most of which resolved by day 5 of hospitalization. Most of our patients had a normal chest x-ray. The most common laboratory abnormalities on admission included variations in neutrophil count (24.7%), aspartate transaminase (22.5%), alkaline phosphatase (36.7%) and lactate dehydrogenase (42.5%). Children were infrequently prescribed targeted medications, with only 4 (3.6%) receiving antibiotics. None of the 52 patients tested for viral co-infections were positive. COVID-19 PCR turned negative at a median of 10 days [6–14 days] after the first positive test. Overall, there was no significant difference in time to negative PCR between symptomatic and asymptomatic children. Conclusion This pediatric study of COVID-19 presents a first look into the burden of COVID-19 infection among children in the UAE. Patients had various laboratory abnormalities despite clinical stability. We conclude that a large percentage of children with COVID-19 infection experience no symptoms, and severe disease is uncommon in the UAE. Ongoing surveillance, contact tracing and public health measures will be essential in containing future outbreaks.

Clinical Characteristics of Children with COVID-19: A Multicenter Study in the United Arab Emirates (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farah Ennab ◽  
Mariam ElSaban ◽  
Eman Khalaf ◽  
Hanieh Tabatabaei ◽  
Amar Hassan Khamis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Multicenter Study ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Asymptomatic Children ◽  
Significant Difference

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has infected over 123 million people globally. The first confirmed case in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was reported on 29th January 2020.  COVID-19 has fared mildly in the pediatric population according to available literature out of early epicenters of the pandemic. To date there is a lack of published data about COVID-19 infection among children in the Arabian region. OBJECTIVE Investigate the clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, treatment, and outcomes of children with COVID-19. METHODS This cross-sectional multicenter study included children with confirmed COVID-19 infection admitted between March 1st and June 15th, 2020 to three large hospitals in Dubai, UAE. Serial COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing was collected, and patients' demographics, pre-morbid clinical characteristics and inpatient hospital course were investigated. RESULTS 111 children were included in our study and represented 22 nationalities. Fifty-nine (53.2%) were boys. The mean age was 7 years (±5.3). 15.3% of children were younger than 1 year. Only 4 (3.6%) of the patients had pre-existing asthma all of whom had uneventful courses. At presentation 43 (38.7%) were asymptomatic, 68 (61.2%) had mild or moderate symptoms and none had severe illness requiring intensive care. Fever (20.7%), cough (19.8%) and rhinorrhea (15.3%) were the most common presenting symptoms and most symptoms resolved by day 5 of hospitalization. Most patients had no abnormality on chest x-ray. The most common laboratory abnormalities on admission included variations in neutrophil count (24.7%), aspartate transaminase (22.5%), alkaline phosphatase (36.7%) and lactate dehydrogenase (42.5%). Children were infrequently prescribed targeted medications, with only 4 (3.6%) receiving antibiotics. None of the 52 patients tested for viral co-infections were positive. COVID-19 PCR turned negative at a median of 10 days [6-14] after first positive test. Overall, there was no significant difference of time to negative PCR results between symptomatic and asymptomatic children. CONCLUSIONS This study of COVID19 presentations and characteristics presents a first look into the burden of COVID19 infection in the pediatric population in the UAE. We conclude that a large percentage of children experienced no symptoms, and severe disease is uncommon in the UAE. Various laboratory abnormalities were observed despite clinical stability. Ongoing surveillance, contact tracing and public health measures will be important to contain future outbreaks.

scholarly journals Orbital Apex Lesions: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge

2017 ◽  
Vol 79 (04) ◽  
pp. 386-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung-Woo Cho ◽  
Won-Wook Lee ◽  
Dae Ma ◽  
Ji-hoon Kim ◽  
Doo Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Outcomes ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Inflammatory Pseudotumor ◽  
Definitive Treatment ◽  
Fungal Sinusitis ◽  
Orbital Apex ◽  
Radiological Findings ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Invasive Fungal Sinusitis ◽  
Significant Difference

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of and treatment outcomes for orbital apex lesions according to their pathological diagnosis and identify clinical characteristics that could aid in their differential diagnosis. Design Retrospective analysis design was used for this study. Setting The study was conducted in a single tertiary institution. Participants Patients with pathologically confirmed lesions centered in the orbital apex who were admitted between January 2011 and December 2015. Main Outcome Measures Clinical characteristics, including demographics, predisposing factors, presenting symptoms, radiological findings, intraoperative findings, biopsy results, and treatment outcomes. Results Nine patients with invasive fungal sinusitis, six with inflammatory pseudotumor, and six with neoplastic or tumorous lesions were enrolled. The most common presenting symptom was orbital pain or headache, followed by ophthalmoplegia and vision loss, which exhibited overall recovery rates of 62.5% and 33.3%, respectively, after definitive treatment. The prognosis was worse for patients with invasive fungal sinusitis. There was no significant difference in age, underlying medical conditions, absolute neutrophil count, C-reactive protein level, and radiological findings among the three groups. Grossly necrotic tissues around the orbital apex area at biopsy were more frequently found in patients with invasive fungal sinusitis than in the other patients. In most cases, pain ameliorated after surgical intervention. There were no surgery-related morbidities. Conclusions Lesions centered in the orbital apex included invasive fungal sinusitis, inflammatory pseudotumor, and tumorous lesions. However, clinical features that clearly differentiated chronic invasive fungal sinusitis from inflammatory pseudotumor could not be identified. Our findings suggest that prompt biopsy is warranted for timely diagnosis, symptom relief, and early implementation of definitive treatment.

Long-term follow-up of clinical presentation and outcomes of patients with urinary bladder paragangliomas.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 507-507
Author(s):  
Kareem Rayn ◽  
Michael Daniel Weintraub ◽  
Gustavo Pena-LaGrave ◽  
Samuel Gold ◽  
Graham R. Hale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Bladder ◽  
Symptom Onset ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Cancer Recurrence ◽  
Plasma Catecholamine ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Surgical Methods ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Metastatic Sites

507 Background: Urinary bladder paragangliomas (UBPGLs) are extremely rare, accounting for less than 6% of paragangliomas (PGLs) and 0.06% of bladder tumors. The goal of this study is to examine the presentation, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with UBPGLs. Methods: We determined the presenting symptoms, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of patients who presented to a single institution with UBPGLs from 2000-2017. Results: 28 patients with an average age of 27 ± 15.6 at symptom onset presented to the NIH from 2000-2017. The majority had standard paraganglioma symptoms (n = 24, 85.7%) defined as headaches, palpitations, pallor and anxiety, and hypertension (n = 20, 71.4%) on presentation. 8 patients (29%) presented with hematuria; hematuria was the only presenting symptom in 1 of these patients. 3 (10.7%) of the patients were completely asymptomatic and were discovered to have bladder paragangliomas incidentally on imaging. Overall, 9 patients (32%) were under 18 (average age = 10.9 ± 3.9) at symptom onset. 14 (50%) patients developed metastasis, with bone (n = 9) and lung (n = 8) being the most common metastatic sites. All but 1 patient received surgical treatment, with 6 patients receiving transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), 3 receiving robotic-assisted partial cystectomy (RAPC) and the remaining patients undergoing open cystectomy. In total, 2 patients experienced bladder cancer recurrence, both of whom had undergone TURBT. Comparing patients with and without hematuria, metastasis and standard paraganglioma symptoms, we found no statistically significant difference in mean diameter of the largest lesion or plasma catecholamine values. Conclusions: Our experience reveals that most patients with UBPGLs present at an early age with characteristic paraganglioma symptoms. Despite the variety of surgical methods used to manage these patients, the only 2 recurrences were in patients who underwent TURBT. Further work is necessary to establish preoperative indicators of disease severity in patients with UBPGLs. This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Cancer Institute, NIH and NIH Medical Research Scholars Program

scholarly journals Clinical Characteristics of Children With COVID-19: A Multicenter Study in the United Arab Emirates

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farah Ennab ◽  
Mariam ElSaban ◽  
Eman Khalaf ◽  
Hanieh Tabatabaei ◽  
Amar HK ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Multicenter Study ◽  
Clinical Characteristics

scholarly journals Clinical characteristics, risk factors and antiviral treatments of influenza in immunosuppressed inpatients in Beijing during the 2015–2020 influenza seasons

2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yafen Liu ◽  
Yue Wang ◽  
Huan Mai ◽  
YuanYuan Chen ◽  
Baiyi Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Mental Status ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Altered Mental Status ◽  
Haematopoietic Stem Cell ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Immunosuppressed Patients

Abstract Background Compared with immunocompetent patients, immunosuppressed patients have higher morbidity and mortality, a longer duration of viral shedding, more frequent complications, and more antiviral resistance during influenza infections. However, few data on this population in China have been reported. We analysed the clinical characteristics, effects of antiviral therapy, and risk factors for admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and death in this population after influenza infections and explored the influenza vaccination situation for this population. Methods We analysed 111 immunosuppressed inpatients who were infected with influenza virus during the 2015–2020 influenza seasons. Medical data were collected through the electronic medical record system and analysed. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistics analysis were used to identify risk factors. Results The most common cause of immunosuppression was malignancies being treated with chemotherapy (64.0%, 71/111), followed by haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) (23.4%, 26/111). The most common presenting symptoms were fever and cough. Dyspnoea, gastrointestinal symptoms and altered mental status were more common in HSCT patients than in patients with immunosuppression due to other causes. Approximately 14.4% (16/111) of patients were admitted to the ICU, and 9.9% (11/111) of patients died. Combined and double doses of neuraminidase inhibitors did not significantly reduce the risk of admission to the ICU or death. Risk factors for admission to the ICU were dyspnoea, coinfection with other pathogens and no antiviral treatment within 48 h. The presence of dyspnoea and altered mental status were independently associated with death. Only 2.7% (3/111) of patients less than 12 months old had received a seasonal influenza vaccine. Conclusion Fever and other classic symptoms of influenza may be absent in immunosuppressed recipients, especially in HSCT patients. Conducting influenza virus detection at the first presentation seems to be a good choice for early diagnosis. Clinicians should pay extra attention to immunosuppressed patients with dyspnoea, altered mental status, coinfection with other pathogens and no antiviral treatment within 48 h because these patients have a high risk of severe illness. Inactivated influenza vaccines are recommended for immunosuppressed patients.

scholarly journals The relationship of HLA-G 14-bp insertion/deletion genetic polymorphism to the risk of multiple sclerosis and its clinical phenotypes

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wafaa M. Farghaly ◽  
Heba M. Saad Eldien ◽  
Mohammed A. Sayed ◽  
Hassan M. Elnady ◽  
Ashraf Khodeary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Genetic Polymorphism ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Human Leukocyte ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Degree Of Disability ◽  
G 14

Abstract Background Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G molecule has been suggested to have a potential immunomodulatory role in multiple sclerosis (MS). Genetic variant sites of HLA-G molecule have been reported to be associated with autoimmune diseases. Identifying the genetic risk factors of MS may help in preventive strategies and anticipating disease progression. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of HLA-G 14-base-pair insertion/deletion (14-bp INS/DEL) genetic polymorphism on MS risk and clinical characteristics and to observe the clinical characteristics of the MS patients’ group. The study included 48 MS patients and 50 cross-matched healthy controls, who were recruited from Sohag and Assiut university hospitals. Genetic testing (14-bp Ins/Del gene polymorphism) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for patients and control groups. All patients had a detailed clinical assessment and have undergone measurement of disability using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Results No statistically significant difference was found between MS patients and healthy controls (HC) in genotypic and allelic frequencies of HLA-G 14-bp INS/DEL polymorphism (P=0.305). No significant association was found between HLA-G 14-bp INS/DEL polymorphism genotypes and clinical characteristics or degree of disability of MS patients. The most frequent presenting symptoms of MS were motor symptoms. Fatigue was the most reported symptom along the course of MS disease. Conclusion Although it has been long known that HLA-G represents an important MS susceptibility locus, in this study, no significant relation could be detected between the 14-bp INS/DEL polymorphism genotype and MS susceptibility. MS risk susceptibility may be not linked to a single allele but may depend on the combination of different polymorphic genetic sites. In this study, the lack of genetic susceptibility may be attributed to ethnic factor.

scholarly journals Clinical Characteristics of Children with COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study in the United Arab Emirates (Preprint)

10.2196/29049 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farah Ennab ◽  
Mariam ElSaban ◽  
Eman Khalaf ◽  
Hanieh Tabatabaei ◽  
Amar Hassan Khamis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Multicenter Study ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional

Determinants of Corporate Risk Disclosure Practice: The Case of Islamic Banks in Gulf Cooperation Council Region

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir Srairi
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Composite Index ◽  
Gulf Cooperation Council ◽  
Risk Information ◽  
Rate Of Return ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Risk Disclosure ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Corporate Risk ◽  
Level Of Risk

The paper develops a framework to explore the risk disclosure practices of 29 Islamic banks operating in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries over the period of 2013-2016 and examines the potential factors which might be affecting risk disclosure. To analyze the level of risk disclosure, the paper develops a composite index by using the content analysis technique. We also employ OLS technique to examine factors affecting Islamic banks’ risk disclosure. The results indicate a very high difference in risk disclosure between countries. Only two countries, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, have a higher level of risk disclosure. The findings also suggest that reporting on some risk disclosure types especially displaced commercial risk and rate of return risk is very low. The regression results show that Islamic banks with a stronger set of corporate governance mechanisms and an active Shariah board appear to disclose more risk information. Other factors that influence risk disclosure practices of Islamic banks are bank size, leverage, cross-border listings and the level of political and civil regression. The study recommends that Islamic banks have to revise their communication strategies and provide more risk information related to rate of return risk and display commercial risk. In addition, GCC regulators should establish risk disclosure regulations which have to become mandatory for all Islamic banks. To the best of our knowledge, the paper provides the first analysis related to the determinants of corporate risk disclosures of Islamic banks in the Arab Gulf region.

HERITAGE IN THE LIVED ENVIRONMENT OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AND THE GULF REGION

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph John Hobbs
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Architectural Design ◽  
Social Sustainability ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Planning And Design ◽  
Spatial Features ◽  
Gulf Countries ◽  
The Social ◽  
Islamic Values

This paper examines how the architectural, social, and cultural heritage of the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries may contribute to better development of this region’s lived environment. Modern urbanism has largely neglected heritage in architectural design and in social and private spaces, creating inauthentic places that foster a hunger for belongingness in the UAE’s built environment. The paper reviews recent urban developments in the UAE and the Gulf Region, and identifies elements of local heritage that can be incorporated into contemporary planning and design. It proposes that adapting vernacular architectural heritage to the modern built environment should not be the principal goal for heritage-informed design. Instead we may examine the social processes underlying the traditional lived environment, and aim for social sustainability based on the lifeways and preferences of local peoples, especially in kinship and Islamic values. Among the most promising precedents for modern social sustainability are social and spatial features at the scale of the neighborhood in traditional Islamic settlements. Interviews with local Emiratis will also recommend elements of traditional knowledge to modern settings. 

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