Specific convulsions and brain damage in children hospitalized for Omicron BA.5 infection:an observational study using two cohorts

Background SARS-CoV-2 continues to mutate over time,and reports on children infected with Omicron BA.5 are limited.We aimed to analyze the specific symptoms of Omicron-infected children and to improve patient care.Methods We selected 315 consecutively hospitalized children with Omicron BA.5 and 16,744 non-Omicron-infected febrile children visiting the fever clinic at our hospital between December 8 and 30,2022.Specific convulsions and body temperatures were compared between the two cohorts.We analyzed potential associations between convulsions and vaccination,and additionally evaluated the brain damage among severe Omicron-infected children.Results Convulsion rates(97.5%vs.4.3%,P<0.001)and frequencies(median:2.0 vs.1.6,P<0.001)significantly differed between Omicron-infected and non-Omicron-infected febrile children.The body temperatures of Omicron-infected children were significantly higher during convulsions than when they were not convulsing and those of non-Omicron-infected febrile children during convulsions(median:39.5 vs.38.2 and 38.6℃,both P<0.001).In the three Omicron-subgroups,the temperature during convulsions was proportional to the percentage of patients and significantly differed(P<0.001),while not in the three non-Omicron-subgroups(P=0.244).The convulsion frequency was lower in the 55 vaccinated children compared to the 260 non-vaccinated children(average:1.8 vs.2.1,P<0.001).The vaccination dose and convulsion frequency in Omicron-infected children were significantly correlated(P<0.001).Fifteen of the 112 severe Omicron cases had brain damage.Conclusions Omicron-infected children experience higher body temperatures and frequencies during convulsions than those of non-Omicron-infected febrile children.We additionally found evidence of brain damage caused by infection with omicron BA.5.Vaccination and prompt fever reduction may relieve symptoms.

Effects of Dust Storm Fine Particle-Inhalation on the Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Endocrine, Hematological, and Digestive Systems of Rats

To the Editor： In China and neighboring countries, there is increasing health concern over the dust storm fine particulate matter （PM） originating in the Gansu Corridor and Mongolian regions of China. PM is a mixture of various particles including crustal material, metals, and bioaerosols. Elevated levels of ambient PM were also reported to be associated with increased cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality.A recent World Health Organization report indicated that exposure to fine PM air pollution and other pollutants caused approximately seven million deaths in 2012 worldwide, while the Global Burden of Disease Study showed that PM exposure was responsible for 2.9 million deaths and 69.7 million disability-adjusted life-years in 2013. Finally, studies showed that reduced PM concentrations were associated with reduced mortality risk.