• Heart issues after COVID-19 uncommon in

    From ScienceDaily@1:317/3 to All on Mon Apr 11 22:30:34 2022
    Heart issues after COVID-19 uncommon in children and young adults, more research needed

    Date:
    April 11, 2022
    Source:
    American Heart Association
    Summary:
    The new scientific statement details what has been learned about
    how to treat, manage and even likely prevent cardiovascular
    complications from the SARS-CoV-2 virus in children and young
    adults, and calls for more research, including studies following
    the short- and long-term cardiovascular effects from COVID-19,
    the disease caused by the SARS-CoV- 2 virus.



    FULL STORY ========================================================================== Heart complications are uncommon, yet treatable for children and young
    adults after COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 infection, according to
    a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association that
    details what has been learned about how to treat, manage and even
    prevent cardiovascular complications from the SARS-CoV-2 virus in
    youth. The statement published today in the Association's flagship
    journal Circulation.


    ==========================================================================
    The latest data also indicate returning to sports and strenuous physical activities after heart symptoms resolve is safe, though additional
    screening may be considered for youth who experience more severe symptoms.

    The new statement also calls for more research, including studies looking
    at the long-term cardiovascular effects from COVID-19 in children and
    young adults. The volunteer writing group's extensive research on the
    latest data found children with congenital heart disease (heart disease or defects present at birth) have low rates of infection and complications
    from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease. A scientific
    statement from the American Heart Association is an expert analysis of
    current research and may inform future guidelines.

    "Two years into the pandemic and with vast amounts of research conducted
    in children with COVID-19, this statement summarizes what we know so far related to COVID-19 in children," said Chair of the statement writing
    group Pei-Ni Jone, M.D., FAHA, director of 3D Echocardiography, the
    Kawasaki Disease Clinic and Quality in Echocardiography at Children's
    Hospital Colorado in Aurora, Colorado."We focused on the effects of this
    virus for those with congenital or other heart disease, as well as the
    latest data about the potential association of the COVID-19 vaccines
    with heart complications in children and young adults.

    While there is a lot we know, this public health emergency needs ongoing research to understand the short- and long-term impacts on children."
    Analysis of the latest research indicates children generally have mild
    symptoms from SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the U.S., as of Feb. 24, 2022,
    children have accounted for 17.6% of total COVID-19 cases and about 0.1%
    of deaths from the virus. In addition, young adults, ages 18 to 29, have accounted for 21.3% of cases and 0.8% of deaths from COVID-19. Studies
    suggest a few factors may help to explain why children may be less
    susceptible to severe COVID-19 infection: 1) cells in children's bodies
    have fewer receptors to attach to the SARS-CoV- 2 virus and 2) children
    may have a lower immune response due to a different cytokine response
    compared to adults and trained immunity from other vaccines and viral infections.

    While children with congenital heart disease have had low infection and mortality rates from SARS-CoV-2 infection, having an underlying genetic syndrome, such as trisomy 21 (also known as Down syndrome), appears to
    be associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19.



    ==========================================================================
    The statement outlines available treatments for children with COVID-19,
    though there are no specific COVID-19 antiviral therapies. These
    include remdesivir and dexamethasone for children in certain age
    groups. Remdesivir is the only antiviral drug currently approved by the
    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of people ages 12
    and older hospitalized with COVID-19 who have risk factors for severe
    disease and the need for supplemental oxygen, and it is most effective
    when given as soon as possible after symptoms began.

    Dexamethasone, which has been shown to reduce risk of death in adults
    with COVID-19, is suggested for children with more severe disease who
    require breathing support.

    Heart-related complications in children with COVID-19 are uncommon. Case reports of cardiac complications include:
    * cardiogenic shock, where a suddenly weakened heart can't pump enough
    blood to meet the body's needs;
    * myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle); pericarditis
    (inflammation of the pericardium, a thin, sac-like structure that
    surrounds the heart); and
    * arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats and rhythms).

    Sudden cardiac death and death following intensive medical and life
    support treatment has occurred in children with severe COVID-19 that
    affected the heart.

    Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) was identified around the world, with as
    many as half of the cases involving inflammation of the heart muscle or
    heart arteries.

    During the first year of the pandemic, one of every 3,164 children with
    SARS- CoV-2 infection developed MIS-C.

    For children who develop MIS-C, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has
    been administered alone or as dual therapy with infliximab or other immunomodulatory agents. Most children's hearts recovered well within
    1 to 4 weeks of MIS- C diagnosis. The risk of long-term complications
    and death from MIS-C is estimated to be 1.4-1.9%.



    ==========================================================================
    The majority of MIS-C cases were among children identified in medical
    records as Black race or Hispanic ethnicity. Additional research about
    MIS-C is needed to learn why people from diverse racial or ethnic groups
    may be disproportionately affected and to understand the risk factors
    for this condition.

    For children and young adults who have had COVID-19, the return to sports
    and strenuous physical activity has been an area of targeted research
    and examination. The latest data suggests those who had mild COVID-19
    infection or infection without symptoms are safe to return to sports
    after recovery from all symptoms. For youth with more serious SARS-CoV-2 infection or who develop MIS- C, it is reasonable to consider select cardiovascular screenings, such as an echocardiogram, blood tests for
    heart enzyme levels and other heart function screening, before returning
    to sports.

    The COVID-19 vaccines can prevent patients from getting COVID-19
    and decreases the risk of MIS-C by 91% among children 12-18 years of
    age. Some have expressed concern about the risk of heart inflammation
    after the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

    The data indicate the benefits of getting the vaccines outweigh the risk
    of potentially developing vaccine-associated myocarditis. For example,
    for every 1 million doses of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in males ages 12
    to 29 years (the highest risk group for vaccine-associated myocarditis),
    it is estimated that 11,000 COVID-19 cases, 560 hospitalizations and 6
    deaths would be prevented, whereas 39 to 47 cases of myocarditis would be expected. The FDA has granted Emergency Use Authorization for the mRNA
    vaccine manufactured by Pfizer- BioNTech for children ages 5 and older,
    and it has full approval for all individuals ages 16 and older.

    Viral infection is the most common cause of myocarditis in children. About
    1 to 2 in every 100,000 children are diagnosed annually in the U.S. with myocarditis prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from
    the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children are also
    more likely than adults to develop myocarditis as the result of a viral infection such as COVID-19. The CDC is continuing to follow myocarditis
    in children and young adults closely, particularly a possible connection
    to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

    More research is needed to better understand the mechanisms and optimal treatment approaches for SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccine-associated
    myocarditis , the long-term outcomes of both COVID-19 and MIS-C, and the
    impact of these various conditions on the heart in children and young
    adults. In addition, the development of new antiviral therapies need to
    be tested in clinical trials focused on children.

    "Although much has been learned about how the virus impacts children's
    and young adult's hearts, how to best treat cardiovascular complications
    and prevent severe illness and continued clinical research trials are
    needed to better understand the long-term cardiovascular impacts,"
    Jone said. "It is also important to address health disparities that
    have become more apparent during the pandemic. We must work to ensure
    all children receive equal access to vaccination and high-quality care."
    This scientific statement was prepared by the volunteer writing group on
    behalf of the American Heart Association's Council on Lifelong Congenital
    Heart Disease and Heart Health in the Young (Young Hearts); the Council
    on Hypertension; and the Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease. American
    Heart Association scientific statements promote greater awareness about cardiovascular diseases and stroke issues and help facilitate informed
    health care decisions. Scientific Statements outline what is currently
    known about a topic, and what areas need additional research. While
    scientific statements inform the development of guidelines, they do not
    make treatment recommendations. American Heart Association guidelines
    provide the Association's official clinical practice recommendations.

    Co-authors are Vice Chair Sarah D. de Ferranti, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA; Anitha John, M.D., Ph.D.; Matthew E. Oster, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA; Kiona Allen,
    M.D.; Adrianna H. Tremoulet, M.D., M.A.S., FAHA; Elizabeth V. Saarel,
    M.D., FAHA; Linda M. Lambert, A.P.R.N., FAHA; and Shelley D. Miyamoto,
    M.D., FAHA. Authors' disclosures are listed in the manuscript.


    ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by American_Heart_Association. Note:
    Content may be edited for style and length.


    ========================================================================== Journal Reference:
    1. Pei-Ni Jone, Anitha John, Matthew E. Oster, Kiona Allen, Adrianna H.

    Tremoulet, Elizabeth V. Saarel, Linda M. Lambert, Shelley
    D. Miyamoto, Sarah D. de Ferranti. SARS-CoV-2 Infection and
    Associated Cardiovascular Manifestations and Complications
    in Children and Young Adults: A Scientific Statement From
    the American Heart Association. Circulation, 2022; DOI:
    10.1161/CIR.0000000000001064 ==========================================================================

    Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220411101313.htm

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