During the COVID-19 pandemic, nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) were implemented in order to control the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, potentially affecting the prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This review evaluated the impact of NPIs on RSV-related hospitalizations in children during the lockdown (2020–2021) compared to the pre-pandemic (2015–2020) and post-lockdown (2021–2022) periods. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched through PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published in English between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2022. Additionally, we conducted hand searches of other records published between 1 January 2023 and 22 January 2024. Our target population was hospitalized children aged 0–18 years with RSV-related lower respiratory tract infections confirmed through immunofluorescence, antigen testing, or molecular assays. We focused on peer-reviewed observational studies, analyzing the primary outcome of pooled RSV prevalence. A generalized linear mixed model with a random-effects model was utilized to pool each RSV prevalence. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q and I² statistics, while publication bias was evaluated through funnel plots and Egger’s tests. We identified and analyzed 5815 publications and included 112 studies with 308,985 participants. Notably, RSV prevalence was significantly lower during the lockdown period (5.03% [95% CI: 2.67; 9.28]) than during the pre-pandemic period (25.60% [95% CI: 22.57; 28.88], p < 0.0001). However, RSV prevalence increased notably in the post-lockdown period after the relaxation of COVID-19 prevention measures (42.02% [95% CI: 31.49; 53.33] vs. 5.03% [95% CI: 2.67; 9.28], p < 0.0001). Most pooled effect estimates exhibited significant heterogeneity (I²: 91.2% to 99.3%). Our findings emphasize the effectiveness of NPIs in reducing RSV transmission. NPIs should be considered significant public health measures to address RSV outbreaks.

Background: The beneficial effects of treating hypertriglyceridemic adults with omega-3 fatty acids have been reported. However, information regarding omega-3 treatment of pediatric patients is limited. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of administering omega-3 fatty acids (3 g/day for 12 weeks) to children/adolescents with obesity and hypertriglyceridemia. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study involving pediatric patients (10–16 years old) with obesity and hypertriglyceridemia was conducted. The National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) defines obesity as a body mass index (BMI) ≥95th percentile. Subjects with triglyceride concentrations ranging from 150 to 1000 mg/dL were randomized into two groups: those receiving omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids) (n = 65) and those receiving a placebo (n = 65) for 12 weeks. Serum triglyceride concentrations were always measured from 8 to 9 am after a 12-h fast. Results: By the end of treatment, triglyceride concentrations had decreased by 39.1% in the omega-3 group and 14.6% in the placebo group (p < 0.01). The incidence of adverse gastrointestinal events (e.g. flatulence, belching) was 41.2% and 6.2% in the omega-3 and placebo groups, respectively (p < 0.01). There were no serious drug-related adverse events. Conclusions: Supplementation with 3 g/day of omega-3 fatty acids is a safe and effective option for treating hypertriglyceridemia in children and adolescents with obesity.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in young children. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant change in the epidemiology of RSV and other viruses occurred worldwide, leading to a reduction in the circulation of these infectious agents. After the pandemic, the resurgence of seasonal respiratory viruses occurred, but some features of these infections contrast to those registered prior to the pandemic. In the present work, we studied 390 children <5 years old admitted to the hospital to determine the contribution of RSV, SARS-CoV-2, human metapneumovirus (hMPV), and influenza viruses to acute respiratory infections during the 2023–2024 winter season in Mexico. RSV was the most frequently detected virus (n = 160, 41%), followed by SARS-CoV-2 (n = 69, 17.7%), hMPV (n = 68, 17.4%), and influenza A or B (n = 40, 10.26%). Fourteen patients required admission to the intensive care unit, including six (42.8%) with RSV infection. Four children died (1%). At least one of the four viruses was detected in all deceased patients: SARS-CoV-2 in one; SARS-CoV-2 and hMPV in two; and RSV, influenza A, and SARS-CoV-2 in one. The high impact of RSV and other respiratory viruses indicates the need to implement specific preventive programs to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with them.

Asthma is one of the most common chronic non-communicable diseases worldwide, characterized by variable airflow limitation secondary to airway narrowing, airway wall thickening, and increased mucus resulting from chronic inflammation and airway remodeling. Current epidemiological studies reported that hypovitaminosis D is frequent in patients with asthma and is associated with worsening the disease and that supplementation with vitamin D₃ improves asthma symptoms. However, despite several advances in the field, the molecular mechanisms of asthma have yet to be comprehensively understood. MicroRNAs play an important role in controlling several biological processes and their deregulation is implicated in diverse diseases, including asthma. Evidence supports that the dysregulation of miR-21, miR-27b, miR-145, miR-146a, and miR-155 leads to disbalance of Th1/Th2 cells, inflammation, and airway remodeling, resulting in exacerbation of asthma. This review addresses how these molecular mechanisms explain the development of asthma and its exacerbation and how vitamin D₃ may modulate these microRNAs to improve asthma symptoms.