INTRODUCTION

Respiratory infections are a leading cause of pediatric hospitalizations, particularly pneumonia. In Metro Manila, many cases lack identifiable causes, underscoring the need for advanced diagnostics. The RT-PCR Respiratory Panel 2.1 enables rapid pathogen detection, improving diagnosis and treatment. Examining demographic and clinical factors linked to severe outcomes provides valuable local insights.

This study aimed to identify and compare respiratory pathogens detected by the RT-PCR panel and determine demographic and clinical factors associated with severe outcomes in pediatric patients at a private tertiary hospital in the Philippines.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted, analyzing pediatric patients (0–18 years) admitted for respiratory infections from August 2023 to August 2024. Descriptive statistics summarized patient characteristics, while regression analyses identified factors linked to mechanical ventilation, oxygen use, and prolonged hospital stays.

Of 118 patients, 85.6% tested positive for respiratory pathogens, predominantly viral (RSV 23.7%, human rhinovirus/enterovirus 22.9%), with cases peaking in late 2023. Most patients had elevated WBC with neutrophilic redominance. Oxygen support was required in 22.9% of cases, primarily in infants under six months with RSV, who had a four-fold increased risk. Difficulty breathing was the strongest predictor of oxygen use, while the presence of neurological conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy, seizure disorders) were significantly associated with mechanical ventilation and prolonged hospital stays.

Seizure disorder, cerebral palsy, and younger age influenced severe outcomes. Pathogen specific trends in demographics, clinical findings, and oxygen support needs may help guide physicians in recognizing illnesses caused by the most common viral respiratory pathogens identified by the RT-PCR Respiratory Panel 2.1

INTRODUCTION

Kawasaki Disease (KD) and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) are two related conditions that primarily affect pediatric patients. The overlap in clinical symptoms, physical findings, and laboratory results between MIS-C and KD complicates diagnosis and treatment, as children with MIS-C may fulfill the criteria for KD. Early recognition of distinguishing clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic findings is crucial for timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, which can mitigate the risk of severe cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and neurological complications.

This study aims to compare the clinical profile, laboratory profile, 2-D echocardiographic findings, treatment, and outcome ofchildren with KD vs MIS-C at a tertiary hospital in the Philippines.

A retrospective, analytic cohort study was done to differentiate the clinical profiles, laboratory profile, treatments, and outcomesof pediatric patients aged less than 19 years old, admitted with a diagnosis of KD, from January 2016 to December 2019 (pre-COVID-19 pandemic), and MIS-C cases admitted from January 2020 to December 2023, in a private, urban, tertiary hospital. Descriptive statistics (frequency and proportion, mean and standard deviation, median and inter-quartile range) were used to summarize the general and clinical characteristics of the participants. Independent T-test, Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher’s Exact/Chi-square test were used to determine the difference of mean, median and frequency of laboratory parameters among groups.

The study included 87 patients, with 60 categorized in the KD group (13 diagnosed with complete KD and 47 with incomplete KD) and 27 in the MIS-C group. MIS-C patients were more likely to be older (p = 0.023), present with GI symptoms such as vomiting (48.2% in MIS-C vs. 12.8% in KD) and abdominal pain (40.7% vs. 6.4%), respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath (29.6% vs 0%) and wheezing (14.8% vs 0%), have lower WBC (6.30 in MIS-C vs. 13.07 in complete KD and 10.18 in incomplete KD, p < 0.001), ANC (5,940 in MIS-C vs. 13,660 in complete KD and 10,432 in incomplete KD, p = 0.002), and platelet count (280 in MIS-C vs. 368 incomplete KD and 364 in incomplete KD, p = 0.13), and experience more complications such as myocarditis (14.81% vs. 0%), hypotension (18.52% vs. 0%), shock (14.81% vs. 0%), and pneumonia (40.74% vs. 17.02% for incomplete KD and 7.69% for complete KD). In contrast, key features of KD, including conjunctival injection (100% in KD vs. 25.9% in MIS-C), rash (100% vs 59.3%), oral changes (92.3% vs. 22.2%), and cervical lymphadenopathy (92.3% vs. 29.6%), elevated laboratory results of CRP (12.89 in MIS-C vs. 46.53 incomplete KD and 111.15 in incomplete KD, p < 0.001), ESR (41.91 in MIS-C vs. 61.73 in complete KD and 82.49 in incomplete KD, p= 0.003), and AST/ALT ratios (0.42 in MIS-C vs. 1.88 in complete KD and 0.62 in incomplete KD, p = 0.034) were more frequently observed in KD patients. Combination therapy involving intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), methylprednisolone, and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) was more common in MIS-C patients than in KD patients (48.15% in MIS-C vs. 7.69% for complete KD and 2.13% forincomplete KD), who mainly received IVIG and ASA alone (84.62% in complete KD and 93.62% in incomplete KD vs 3.7% in MIS-C).

This study highlights key clinical and laboratory differences between MIS-C and KD in a private tertiary hospital setting. MIS-C patients were generally older, exhibited more GI and respiratory symptoms, and had a higher risk of serious complications. In contrast, KD cases more often presented with classic mucocutaneous signs and elevated inflammatory markers. These findings underscore the importance of early differentiation, as MIS-C often requires more intensive management. The study also identifies practical diagnostic indicators including CBC parameters such as WBC, ANC, and platelet count that may aid clinicians, particularly in resource-limited settings. Further multicenter research involving both public and private hospitals is needed to validate and enhance the diagnostic criteria.

INTRODUCTION

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a delayed hyperinflammatory condition affecting multiple organ systems. Prominent symptoms include fever, skin rashes, and gastrointestinal symptoms, manifesting prior to critical signs such as cardiac involvement, hypotension, and shock.

To determine if certain demographic, clinical, and laboratory markers are predictive of poor outcomes in patients diagnosed with MIS-C.

This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study (2020-2023) of children who met the 2020 CDC MIS-C criteria. Data on demographics, comorbidities, clinical course, outcomes, laboratory results and 2D Echocardiogram findings were obtained and analyzed.

There were 28 patients with MIS-C, with a median age of 4.5 years. The majority of patients were male (64%). The percentage of neutrophils showed a significant association with hypotension/shock (OR 1.16). White blood cell count (WBC) and ferritin were significantly associated with ICU admission (OR 3.5 and 2.9, respectively). Pericardial effusion was observed in 71.4% while myocarditis was present in 67.9% of patients. The most notable risk factor was HIV infection, which was significantly associated with a more than 50-fold increase in the odds of developing ARDS and 165-fold increase in the odds of mortality; there was only one mortality, and only one patient with documented HIV infection.

The outcome was good in non-immunocompromised patients and the only recorded mortality was a patient not previously known to have HIV. We identified statistically significant factors that were associated with adverse outcome measures, with the limitation of a small sample, such as HIV infection and risk for ARDS and mortality; elevated neutrophil percentage and risk for hypotension/shock; elevated WBC and ferritin and risk for ICU admission; and saw a high prevalence of pericardial effusion and myocarditis in these patients, highlighting the critical role of hyperinflammation and cardiac involvement in disease progression and outcome.

Background: MIS-C is an infrequent, but serious complication encountered after acquiring COVID-19 illness in children. There is a lack of local data on MIS-C in the Philippines. Objective: To identify demographic data, co-morbidities, clinical manifestations, laboratory results, 2D-echocardiography findings, acute co-illnesses and complications, treatment, and outcome of children with MIS-C, seen in two, private, urban, tertiary hospitals. Methodology: This is a retrospective, descriptive study of all consecutive MIS-C cases, using the 2020 US CDC definition, seen between July 2020 to January 2023, by a single infectious disease physician. Demographic, epidemiologic, clinical, and physical examination findings; results of laboratory, 2-DE, and radiologic tests; co-illnesses and complications; and therapeutic and outcome data, were entered in a case report form for each patient. Results: Thirty-six patients were seen. MIS-C cases had a median age of 6 years, presented with fever in 97%, while one-half had abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and/or rash. CRP, D-dimer, ferritin, LDH and procalcitonin were generally elevated, and thrombocytopenia was seen in 39%. The most common 2-DE abnormalities were pericardial effusion (50%), coronary artery dilatation or aneurysm (39%) and mitral regurgitation (36%); the 2-DE was normal in 22%. The main complications were pneumonia (31%), myocarditis (28%) and hypotension (14%); 8% had ARDS. Treatment was with corticosteroids (89%) and IVIG (84%). Most (94%) recovered, and the hospital stay was five days, or less, in 86%. The two mortalities were a severely wasted adolescent with previously undiagnosed HIV infection; and an adolescent on chemotherapy for AML, who was also being treated for disseminated TB. Conclusions There is a need to create a greater awareness of MIS-C as, like Kawasaki disease, it has the potential to be an important cause of acquired heart disease among children.

Background: Bacteremia is a major cause of prolonged hospital stay and mortality in neonates and its early diagnosis remains a challenge to pediatricians. Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a component of a complete blood count test which is accessible and inexpensive and has been reported to be a possible diagnostic marker for neonatal bacteremia. This study determined the association of RDW with neonatal bacteremia in term and preterm neonates. Methodology: This is a retrospective case-control study of 26 bacteremic neonates as cases and 104 non-bacteremic neonates, either symptomatic or with risk factors for bacteremia, as controls. Included newborns were seen between January 1, 2010 to September 30, 2021. Laboratory data obtained were CBC, C-reactive protein and blood culture. Results: RDW values between bacteremic and non-bacteremic neonates were not significantly different. There was an association between RDW and neonatal bacteremia at an RDW level of > 16.1, where the likelihood of bacteremia was three times higher compared with lower RDW values. Significantly lower levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC count, WBC count, platelet count, MCH and MCHC, and a higher CRP level were seen among bacteremic neonates compared to those who were not. The median RDW for both term and preterm neonates was close to 16, with a narrow inter-quartile range at 1 and 2 for controls and cases, respectively. The range (minimum to maximum) of RDW values of bacteremic preterm neonates was more variable than those of term neonates. Using RDW to detect bacteremia, it had an equivocal discriminatory power or AUC of 0.6056. We found insufficient evidence to demonstrate a correlation between RDW and other CBC parameters, except for MCHC. For MCHC, the results suggest a very weak and indirect correlation. Conclusion RDW was not significantly different between bacteremic and non-bacteremic neonates, but there was a suggested association between RDW and bacteremia at an RDW level of > 16.1, at which level there was a 3-fold risk for bacteremia.
Erythrocyte Indices ; Case-Control Studies

Background: Since the start of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, a post-infection hyperinflammatory process in children with features similar to Kawasaki disease, termed multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C),1 was identified. Thousands of MIS-C cases have already been reported worldwide.2 As possible cases of MIS-C in neonates were increasingly identified, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in neonates (MIS-N) as a distinct entity was proposed as neonates may not manifest all the typical features described in older children. Case Presentation: We describe the case of a previously well term neonate with sudden signs of bowel obstruction who later had multisystem involvement (cardiac, gastrointestinal, and hematologic). The baby was born to a 23-yearold multigravida with an unremarkable prenatal history except for COVID-19 infection during her 34th week age of gestation. The mother presented with mild respiratory symptoms and resolved with supportive management. Our patient was born stable, then had sudden manifestations of feeding intolerance on the 16th day of life and upon work-up had moderate anemia, elevated inflammatory and cardiac markers, ileus, and dilatation of proximal left coronary artery. RT-PCR for SARS-CoV2 was negative. The baby was managed with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and steroids, with rapid clinical and laboratory parameters improvement thereafter. Conclusion MIS-N is still evolving as a disease entity with no clear, directed guidance yet on diagnosis and management. Management is extrapolated from treatment of MIS-C. Additional case reports and series are warranted to increase awareness and enable better understanding of the disease pathology among clinicians for timely investigation, diagnosis, and management.
SARS-CoV-2

Introduction: The scarce local data on the etiology of childhood pneumonia admitted in a hospital has come from a few urban and rural government hospitals. There is no data from private hospitals. Knowing the most likely etiology of pneumonia is of outmost importance as this has implications on the diagnostic modalities requested and the institution of therapy. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify clinical and microbiologic diagnoses of clinically- and radiographically-confirmed pediatric pneumonia cases admitted in a private hospital. Secondarily, a discussion of specific etiologies is made. Methodology: Each consecutive, inpatient, pneumonia referral/admission in either one of two private, urban, tertiary hospitals, of a child 18 years and below from 1993 to 2021 was logged into a computer daily by a single pediatric infectious disease specialist. Clinical, epidemiologic, diagnostic and therapeutic data were recorded. All pneumonia cases, except those seen in newborns before their discharge from the nursery, were included. Results: Of the 496 cases, there was a clinical and/or microbiologic etiology in 43% of cases. The bacteremia rate was 6.3%. The most common identifiable etiologies were Mycoplasma pneumoniae (11.9%), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (5.2%), and Staphylococcus aureus (4.2%), while bronchiolitis (5.5%) and measles (4.8%) were the most common clinical diagnoses. There were several cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia. Conclusions Mycoplasma pneumoniae, tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus and Pneumocystis jirovecii are important pneumonia etiologies that have not been widely considered locally. The data presented here mirrors the practice of one pediatric infectious disease doctor in two hospitals where diagnostic and treatment options are readily available and utilized.
Child ; Inpatients ; Hospitals, Private ; Communicable Diseases ; Pneumonia

Introduction: Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in childhood, but its diagnosis remains challenging since a significant number of cases do not meet the diagnostic criteria (Incomplete KD). This may delay the diagnosis and initiation of treatment, and increase the risk of morbidity from coronary artery complications. Objectives: This study compared the clinical profile and treatment outcomes of children with complete and incomplete KD. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, retrospective study of pediatric patients diagnosed with KD and admitted in a tertiary hospital from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2020. Demographics, clinical manifestations, laboratories, 2D echocardiography (2DE) findings and treatment outcomes were obtained by review of medical records and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Among 135 patients studied, 71% were classified as Incomplete Kawasaki Disease. Majority (89%) were children more than 1 year old and predominantly male (55%). Five classic features, other than fever, were more frequent in complete KD – bilateral bulbar conjunctivitis, mucosal changes in the lip and oral cavity, polymorphous exanthem, changes in extremities, and cervical lymphadenopathy. Fever (100%), conjunctivitis (100%), rashes (97%) and oral changes (90%) were the most common findings in complete KD, while fever (100%), rashes (56%), conjunctivitis (46%) and oral changes (35%) were noted in incomplete KD. Higher CRP (167 mg/L vs. 100 mg/L) and lower albumin levels (30 g/L vs. 38 g/L) were seen in complete KD. Coronary artery dilatation (56% vs. 48%) was frequently detected in both complete and incomplete KD. Majority (96%) of cases received only one dose of IVIG and 4% needed additional treatment with methylprednisone. Conclusion The five principal features of KD other than fever, elevated CRP and lower albumin levels were significantly more common in complete cases. No significant differences in the demographics and 2DE findings of children with complete and incomplete KD were observed.
Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome

Introduction: Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a problem commonly encountered by infectious disease specialists, and even general pediatricians, in spite of the improvement in diagnostic modalities. There is no local study on childhood FUO from a private hospital. Thus, there is a need to determine the etiology of FUO seen in private practice, which may be different from those encountered in government or teaching hospitals. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify the etiologies of childhood FUO from two private, urban, tertiary hospitals, as evaluated by a single pediatric infectious disease physician; and to discuss epidemiologic, clinical and diagnostic clues for the most common etiologies. Methods: Childhood FUO cases were compiled from 1993 to 2020. Each consecutive, inpatient, admission or referral of a patient, 18 years or younger, was logged into a personal computer, and the discharge diagnosis for the FUO was recorded. Clinical, epidemiologic, diagnostic and therapeutic data, relevant to the FUO diagnosis were likewise recorded. FUO was defined as daily fever of 380C for ten consecutive days, or more, with no etiology identified after being admitted for seven days. Results: Of 171 cases of childhood FUO, the etiology was an infection in 68%, collagen-vascular disease in 13%, miscellaneous cause in 8%, malignancy in 6%, and no diagnosis in 5%. The most common infections were Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) mononucleosis, tuberculosis, enteric fever, sinusitis, pneumonia and incomplete Kawasaki disease. The most common collagen vascular diseases were juvenile idiopathic arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis was the most common miscellaneous cause. Lymphoma was the most common malignancy. Conclusion This study found EBV mononucleosis, sinusitis, pneumonia, incomplete Kawasaki disease, lymphoma, HLH and Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease to be FUO etiologies not reported previously in other local reports.
Child ; Fever ; Inpatients

Background: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a clinical syndrome that is associated with a variety of underlying conditions leading to the same characteristic hyperinflammatory phenotype. Objectives: To describe the clinical profile of patients diagnosed with HLH admitted between January 1, 2010 to September 30, 2019 in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study of pediatric patients diagnosed with HLH in a tertiary care hospital. Results: Eleven subjects were included in the study. Age distribution showed a bimodal pattern: < 5 years old (5, 46%) and 10-15 years old (4, 36%). Male to female ratio is 4.5:1. All patients presented with fever (100%) followed by hepatomegaly (5, 45%) and splenomegaly (4, 36%) on physical examination. All eleven subjects fulfilled the following criteria for HLH such as fever, splenomegaly, and hyperferritinemia. Six out of eleven showed hypofibrinogemia (55%) and hypertriglyceridemia (55%). Among the eleven with two cell cytopenia, five presented with anemia (46%), six with neutropenia (55%), while all of them had thrombocytopenia (100%). Other laboratory findings noted were elevated ALT (5, 46%), CRP (4, 36%), AST (3, 27%), alkaline phosphatase (3, 27%), and hyponatremia (3, 27%). EBV and dengue (3, 27%) were the most common etiologies. Pneumonia (3, 27%) was the most common complication, followed by sepsis (2, 18%). All but one patient were responsive to either dexamethasone (7, 64%) and or IVIG (5, 45%) and chemotherapy (1, 9%). The antibiotic most commonly used was piperacillin tazobactam (3, 27%). The median hospital stay was 17 days. There was one mortality (9%). Conclusion HLH should be considered in children presenting with prolonged fever, hepatomegaly, and or splenomegaly, with hyperferritinemia, thrombocytopenia, anemia and neutropenia.
Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic