Diana Sofia Villacis-Nunez

Rituximab, used in the treatment of some rheumatic and kidney diseases, can lead to hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation; HBV screening is recommended for those starting this medication. We aimed to improve by 50% the proportion of patients undergoing HBV screening by implementing multimodal interventions to support clinicians in this evidence-based practice. We conducted a quality improvement project from November 2020 to June 2022 at a tertiary care pediatric hospital system, including patients with rheumatic and/or kidney diseases starting rituximab. Multimodal interventions targeting clinicians included electronic health tools (dot phrase, display of screening recommendations and screening results in rituximab order sets/therapy plans), educational meetings, and e-mail/paper reminders. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with complete HBV screening, while the secondary outcome was utilization of each laboratory component, tracked using statistical process control charts. Pre- and post-intervention data were compared using Fisher’s test. One hundred eighty-two patients who had been prescribed rituximab were included, of which 98 (54%) were post-intervention. The proportions of patients undergoing complete HBV screening (6% vs. 44%; p < 0.001), HBsAg collection (60% vs. 79%; p = 0.006), anti-HBsAb collection (14% vs. 54%; p < 0.001), and total anti-HBcAb collection (8% vs. 52%; p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the post-intervention period. Improvement was sustained over 18 months, with shifts and/or data points above the control limits in all measures. Forty-five patients were HBV-non-immune. In this study, multimodal interventions including electronic health tools and education of the provider significantly increased the proportion of patients screened for HBV prior to rituximab and identified immunization opportunities.

We present an adolescent male with a single intracardiac mass and pulmonary emboli, complicated by peripheral venous thrombosis and subsequent development of pulmonary pseudoaneurysms, leading to diagnosis of Hughes-Stovin syndrome. Remission was achieved with cyclophosphamide, corticosteroids, and pseudoaneurysm resection and maintained with infliximab and methotrexate.

In Reply We appreciate Song’s interest in our article and would like to address the concerns about potential study limitations as detailed in Song’s Letter to t

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is an uncommon complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection, characterized by fever, multiorgan involvement, laboratory evidence of inflammation, and documented SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Approximately 80% of cases present cardiovascular symptoms and 74% develop mucocutaneous features, resembling Kawasaki disease (KD), with potential development of coronary artery abnormalities.^1,2

Many pediatric rheumatic diseases can be safely managed with biologic therapy. Severe allergic reactions to these medications are uncommon. We report the case of a 2-year-old male with systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis and secondary macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), whose treatment was complicated by severe allergic reactions to biologics, including drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)/drug-induced hypersensitivity reaction (DIHR) likely due to anakinra, and anaphylactoid reaction to intravenous tocilizumab. These required transition to canakinumab, cyclosporine, and corticosteroids, with later development of interstitial lung disease and MAS flare needing transition from canakinumab to tofacitinib, which led to disease control. Whether lung disease is a manifestation of DRESS/DIHR to canakinumab remains unclear. High index of suspicion of hypersensitivity reactions for timely diagnosis and drug discontinuation is critical, especially in patients with active disease who might be at increased risk of these adverse events.

Background: There are few reports of COVID-19 in pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases. This study describes the clinical presentation and outcomes of COVID-19 in this population. Methods: We analyzed a single-center case series of pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Demographic, baseline and COVID-19 associated clinical features were compared between ambulatory and hospitalized patients using univariate analysis. Results: Fifty-five cases were identified: 45 (81.8%) in the ambulatory group and 10 (18.2%) hospitalized. African American race (OR 7.78; 95% CI [1.46–55.38]; p = 0.006) and cardiovascular disease (OR 19.40; 95% CI 2.45–254.14; p = 0.001) predominated in hospitalized patients. Active rheumatic disease (OR 11.83; 95% CI 1.43–558.37; p = 0.01), medium/high-dose corticosteroid use (OR 14.12; 95% CI [2.31–106.04]; p = 0.001), mycophenolate use (OR 8.84; 95% CI [1.64–63.88]; p = 0.004), rituximab use (OR 19.40; 95% CI [2.45–254.14]; p = 0.001) and severe immunosuppression (OR 34.80; 95% CI [3.94–1704.26]; p = < 0.001) were associated with increased odds of hospitalization. Fever (OR 7.78; 95% CI [1.46–55.38]; p = 0.006), dyspnea (OR 26.28; 95% CI [2.17–1459.25]; p = 0.003), chest pain (OR 13.20; 95% CI [1.53–175.79]; p = 0.007), and rash (OR 26.28; 95% CI [2.17–1459.25]; p = 0.003) were more commonly observed in hospitalized patients. Rheumatic disease flares were almost exclusive to hospitalized patients (OR 55.95; 95% CI [5.16–3023.74]; p < 0.001).. One patient did not survive. Conclusions: Medium/high-dose corticosteroid, mycophenolate and rituximab use, and severe immunosuppression were risk factors for hospitalization. Fever, dyspnea, chest pain, and rash were high-risk symptoms for hospitalization. Rheumatic disease activity and flare could contribute to the need for hospitalization.

Background There are few reports of COVID-19 in pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases. This study describes the clinical presentation and outcomes of COVID-19 in this population. Methods We analyzed a single-center case series of pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Demographic, baseline and COVID-19 associated clinical features were compared between ambulatory and hospitalized patients using univariate analysis. Results Forty cases were identified: 32 (80%) in the ambulatory group and 8 (20%) hospitalized. Older age (median age 18 years vs 16 years; p = 0.01) and African American race (OR 8.42; 95% CI [1.20-101.69]; p = 0.01) predominated in hospitalized patients. Systemic lupus erythematosus (OR 6.77; 95% CI [1.01–56.71]; p = 0.02), medium/high-dose corticosteroid use (OR 10.62; 95% CI [1.46–99.57]; p = 0.008), mycophenolate use (OR 11.91; 95% CI [1.64-149.35]; p = 0.005), and severe immunosuppression (OR 16.83; 95% CI [1.74-861.43]; p = 0.004) were associated with increased odds of hospitalization. Patients with fever (OR 11.91; 95% CI [1.64-149.35]; p = 0.004), dyspnea (OR 16.51; CI [1.10-998.37]; p = 0.02), and myalgias (OR 13.40; 95% CI [1.43-194.56)]; p = 0.009) were more commonly encountered in the hospitalized group. Rheumatic disease flares were almost exclusive to hospitalized patients (OR 42.13; 95% CI [3.40-2463.87]; p < 0.001).. All patients recovered. Conclusions Medium/high-dose corticosteroid use, mycophenolate use, and severe immunosuppression were risk factors for hospitalization. Fever, dyspnea and myalgias were high-risk symptoms. The type of rheumatic disease, as well as disease flare could be contributing factors to the need for hospitalization.

Neurosarcoidosis is a rare phenomenon in the pediatric population, with only a few cases reported in the literature worldwide. While hypothalamo-pituitary involvement is known to occur, direct infiltration of the pituitary gland and isolated anterior pituitary dysfunction without diabetes insipidus is seldom observed. A high index of suspicion is required for diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis, and treatment can be challenging due to lack of standardized guidelines. We present the case of a 17-year-old female with known sarcoidosis of the lacrimal glands, who developed severe headache and neurologic symptoms secondary to granulomatous infiltration of the pituitary gland and infundibulum due to neurosarcoidosis. She was successfully treated with corticosteroids, methotrexate, and adalimumab, with complete radiologic resolution. This is the first documented pediatric case of neurosarcoidosis with radiologic granulomatous infiltration of the pituitary gland, manifesting as partial anterior hypopituitarism, in the form of central hypothyroidism, without diabetes insipidus.