Acta Medica Port
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Several cases of paediatric acute hepatitis of an unknown aetiology have been described in these last few months and in several countries worldwide. We present two patients, a 7-month-old girl and an 8-year-old boy, with gastrointestinal symptoms and lethargy, associated with elevation of transaminase levels. Serologies for hepatitis A-E virus and PCR test to SARS-CoV-2 were all negative. ⋯ In both children, there was a progressive decrease in the hepatic markers and symptomatic resolution, compatible with a good prognosis, also seen globally in most cases. To date, infection remains the most plausible cause to consider, especially when it is presumed to be linked to adenovirus. Other potential agents and causes are still being evaluated, thus emphasizing the importance of continuous epidemiological surveillance, notification, and detailed study of all hepatitis cases.
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Head and neck cancers remain a significant health burden worldwide. Standardizing the care provided to these patients through the systematic measurement of established indicators is key to improve their outcomes. The aim of this study was to establish a relevant set of outcome indicators in this condition and identify measurement tools and requirements to do so. ⋯ An initial set of outcome indicators for head and neck cancer was systematically developed aiming to standardize the care provided to these patients across institutions at national level and identify measurement tools and requirements to measure those indicators. This standard set should be continuously improved and consistently adopted in the different clinical and national settings.
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Case Reports
[Inflammation of BCG Inoculation Site Scar after the First Dose of an Anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine].
Inflammatory reactions in the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) inoculation scar site have been previously described, in association with viral infections. The inflammation of the scar in association with other vaccines has been described with the flu vaccine and, more recently, after the second dose of mRNA anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines (mRNA-1273 e BNT162b2), in two healthcare workers. We present the case of a 27-year-old female, without a relevant past medical history, including no previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, and with inflammation of the BCG scar eight days after the first dose of the mRNA anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Pharmacovigilance and the notification of adverse events should be encouraged, as a way of warding off hesitation in this process.
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Microcytosis and hypochromia result from deficient hemoglobin synthesis in red blood cells and are easily detected in a complete blood count test. These conditions are mainly due to iron nutritional deficiency, but may also result from some genetic diseases, such as thalassemia. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of β- and α-thalassemia to these abnormal hematological phenotypes in a representative sample of adult individuals living in Portugal who participated in the first Portuguese National Health Examination Survey (INSEF). ⋯ Thalassemia trait is a frequent cause of microcytosis or hypochromia in Portugal since this genetic condition was found in 37% of the investigated cases.