Risk Factors for Neonatal Sepsis and Method for Reduction of Blood Culture Contamination

Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant changes globally, which has also affected patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). This study aimed to determine the incidence of T1DM and the characteristics of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) during the pandemic comparing it to pre-pandemic period. Materials and Methods: Data from patients <19 years with newly diagnosed T1DM between 1st January 2017 and 31st December 2021 from four regional centers in Vojvodina were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Results: In 2021, the highest incidence of T1DM in the last five years was recorded, 17.3/100,000. During the pandemic period (2020–2021), there were 99 new-onset T1DM, of which 42.4% presented in DKA, which is significantly higher than in the pre-pandemic period (34.1%). During the pandemic, symptom duration of T1DM lasted significantly longer than before the COVID-19 period. At the age of 10–14 years, the highest incidence of T1DM and COVID-19, the highest frequency rate of DKA, and severe DKA were observed. Conclusions: The pandemic is associated with a high incidence rate of T1DM, longer duration of symptoms of T1DM, a high frequency of DKA, and a severe DKA at diagnosis. Patients aged 10–14 years are a risk group for the occurrence of T1DM with severe clinical presentation. Additional studies are needed with a longer study period and in a wider geographical area, with data on exposure to COVID-19 infection, the permanence of new-onset T1DM, and the psychosocial impact of the pandemic.

Objectives: This study aims to determine the serum levels of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and analyze the correlation between IL-17A values and disease activity, certain clinical features, and laboratory markers of inflammation. Patients and methods: The study included 30 children (7 boys, 23 girls; mean age 8.8±5.3 years; range 1 to 18 years), who had been diagnosed with JIA (18 children were diagnosed during the study period and 12 children were diagnosed before the start of the study) and had active disease during the study period. Control group included 30 healthy, age- and sex- matched children (9 boys, 21 girls; mean age 8.3±4.8 years; range 1 to 18 years). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to assess the serum IL-17A levels of children with JIA in the active phase of the disease and control group. Clinical and laboratory features of the disease were evaluated for the children with JIA. Results: Serum levels of IL-17A in children with JIA were significantly higher in comparison to control group. In children with JIA who were prospectively monitored, statistically significantly decreased IL-17A level was recorded in the inactive phase of the disease. The incidence of arthritis of coxofemoral joints was significantly more common, and the mean levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were significantly higher in the group of children with JIA with detectable levels of IL-17A. Children with JIA and detectable levels of IL-17A had significantly higher values of Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score-27 in comparison to children with JIA and non-detectable IL-17A. Conclusion: Assessment of serum IL-17A levels in early phases of JIA gives an opportunity for early detection of children that have higher risk for worse functional outcome.