Articles: pandemics.
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With the emergence of Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Taiwan has encountered the greatest coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic since 2022 spring. We analyzed the characteristics, vaccinations, and outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients quarantined in a dedicated ward. This retrospective study enrolled hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the dedicated wards of a district hospital in southern Taiwan from May 2022 to July 2022. ⋯ Age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score were recognized as strong prognostic indicators for mortality in multivariable analysis. Vaccination demonstrated significant lower odds of death among relatively young populations in subgroup analysis. COVID-19 vaccination had significant efficacy in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the relatively young group, and the effect may decline among individuals with advanced age and multiple comorbidities.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the lives of people globally, including pregnant women. We aimed to explore the influence of a psychological care intervention based on behavioral change theory on the prenatal mental state and mode of delivery in pregnant women from June 2020 to June 2022 during the early stage of the COVID-19 epidemic in China. A retrospective analysis was conducted of the records of pregnant women who delivered in our hospital from June 2020 to June 2022. ⋯ The duration of the first stage of labor and the total duration of labor in the observation group were 447.95 ± 53.45 minutes and 498.15 ± 35.14 minutes, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group. The implementation of psychological care based on behavioral change theory in pregnant women during the early stage of the COVID-19 epidemic significantly improved their prenatal psychological state, promoted vaginal delivery, and help shorten the labor process, and reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. This intervention is thus worth promoting.
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Background and Objectives: Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin upon sunlight exposure, showing variations with season and latitude. We aimed to investigate the influence of age, sex, and season on vitamin D status in a large pediatric cohort during the COVID-19 pandemic period and the corresponding pre-pandemic period. Materials and Methods: Retrospective data concerning subjects aged < 18 years were extracted anonymously from the large database of a reference laboratory hospital (Sassari, Northern Sardinia, Italy). ⋯ Similarly, 25(OH)D values did not differ significantly between males and females in both periods. Marked seasonal variations were observed in males and females across all age groups. Conclusions: Serum vitamin D levels and their season-related variations were not significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions in a large cohort of Italian children and adolescents.