Author: Clinics

Pediatric gastroenterologists, family members, and caregivers of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are on alert; they are all focused on implementing prophylactic measures to prevent infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, evaluating the risks in each patient, guiding them in their treatment, and keeping IBD in remission. Image: Vanessa Bucceri. … Read More →

We performed a systematic review of SOT patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The MEDLINE and PubMed databases were electronically searched and updated until April 20, 2020. The MeSH terms used were “COVID-19” AND “Transplant”. Image: Piron Guillaume. … Read More →

Specialists estimate that the world will endure a long battle against the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences. To ensure success, it is essential to keep our healthcare workers active, motivated, and healthy. Thus, we hereby recommend that all health institutions pay special attention to the mental health and psychosocial well-being of their workers. Image: Luke Jones. … Read More →

Social media is extremely important to fight this contagious disease, not only to get information and be updated about it but also to understand how it spreads, how people interact, and how we can respond to it. As Heidi Tworek, assistant professor at University of British Columbia in Canada, said on Twitter, “Communications in a public health crisis are as crucial as medical intervention … in fact, communications policies ARE a medical intervention”. We didn’t have this tool a hundred years ago, but now we must use it wisely in every way we can to overcome this pandemic. Image: Hal Gatewood. … Read More →

On the last April 27th, Bi et al. published a retrospective cohort study from Shenzhen, China demonstrating that the rate of infection in children below 10 years was similar to the population average, although children are less likely to develop severe symptoms. Image: Vanessa Bucceri. … Read More →

Despite the lack of scientific evidence regarding the potential for viral transmission to their fetus in pregnant mothers diagnosed with or suspected of COVID-19, it is important to elaborate the lines of care by specialists from hospitals caring for suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases to guide multidisciplinary teams and families diagnosed with the disease or involved in the care of pregnant women and newborns in this context. Multidisciplinary teams must be attentive to the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 so that decision-making is oriented and assertive for the management of the mother and newborn in both the hospital setting and at hospital discharge. Image: Nynne Schrøder. … Read More →

Several additional recommendations with respect to surgical practice or surgical staff were also assessed and discussed, such as performing laparoscopic surgeries and avoiding the use of electrocauterization. On the basis of the current literature, we concluded that any surgery that can be delayed should be postponed. COVID-19 screening is strongly recommended for all surgical cases. Moreover, surgical staff should be reduced to the essential members and provided with institutional psychological support. Image: Paul Felberbauer. … Read More →

We raise two main points, i) increased ACE-2 expression in pulmonary and heart tissues in users of chronic angiotensin 1 receptor (AT1R) blockers; and ii) antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) after previous exposure to other circulating coronaviruses. We believe that these points are pivotal for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19, and must be carefully addressed by physicians and scientists in the field. Image: Big Dodzy. … Read More →

To guide specialists involved in the treatment of spinal disorders, this editorial summarizes the recommendations of the North American Spine Society, the American College of Surgeons, and the document signed by the Brazilian Spine Society, the Brazilian Society of Neurosurgery, and the Brazilian Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology. Available in English. Image:
Meta Zahren. … Read More →

In theory, we have been able to adapt these practices for teaching medicine. However, the title of this text (“I am having trouble keeping up with virtual teaching activities”) stems from a recurring complaint, and it elicits a deep reflection on whether we, professors and students, are capable of assimilating extensive knowledge in a short period while remodeling the entire education system. Available in English. Image: Allie. … Read More →

Although chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine might yield promising results, they should not be announced as a cure by politicians and the mass media, as they have never been tested as treatments for Coronaviridae viruses. Clinical trials are ongoing during the course of this pandemic, yet no scientific evidence has been found to support the widespread use of these medications. Available in English. Image: analuisa gamboa. … Read More →

Doctors working in companies must use their technical knowledge to ensure the best actions to protect the health of the workers. Concurrently, they must be aware of the work environment and the production process to suggest the best adaptations. In the current pandemic situation, the role of a doctor in a company has been strategic in ensuring the best health conditions at the workplace. Available in English. Image: Marcelo Leal. … Read More →

In conclusion, spotlight and recommendations for healthy adolescents and adolescents with preexisting chronic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic should be reinforced for all subjects, particularly for those under quarantine/lockdown. Further studies will be necessary to clarify and to assess specific adolescent populations during this emerging infectious disease pandemic. Available in English. Image: Kate Trifo. … Read More →

An extensive review of the medical literature on COVID-19 was performed, mainly focusing on the critical care of pediatric patients, considering expert opinions and recent reports related to this new disease. Experts from a large Brazilian public university analyzed all recently published material to produce a report aiming tostandardize the care of critically ill children and adolescents. Available in English. … Read More →

The world is fighting the COVID-19 outbreak and health workers, including inflammatory bowel diseases specialists, have been challenged to address the specific clinical issues of their patients. We hereby summarize the current literature in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients during the COVID-19 pandemic era that support the rearrangement of our IBD unit and the clinical advice provided to our patients. Available in English. … Read More →