Global Health Asia-Pacific July 2020 July 2020 | Page 26

Heart News Is COVID-19 contributing to a rare childhood heart disease? Experts draw attention to a possible link between the virus and Kawasaki syndrome Scores of children with COVID-19 are showing signs of a rare heart condition that in a small number of cases requires intensive care, reported the BBC. Up to 100 children have fallen ill in the UK, while similar cases have been reported in other European countries and the US. They showed a variety of symptoms, including high fever, elevated inflammation markers, rash, and swelling, which are also linked to �awasaki disease shock syndrome, an uncommon condition that mainly affects children under five years of age. Given that the cases are appearing during the pandemic, it’s likely the syndrome is connected with COVID-19, Dr �iz Whittaker, a clinical lecturer in paediatric infectious diseases and immunology at Imperial College �ondon, told the ��C. ��ou’ve got the Covid-19 peak, and then three or four weeks later we’re seeing a peak in this new phenomenon which makes us think that it’s a post-infectious phenomenon,� she said. Though most children responded to treatment and improved, some required intensive care to breathe. “There are some recent rare descriptions of children in some European countries that have had this inflammatory syndrome, which is similar to the �awasaki syndrome, but it seems to be very rare. What we’ve asked for is for the global network of clinicians to be on alert for this and to ensure that they capture information on children systematically so that we can better understand what is occurring in children and so that we can better improve our understanding and guide treatment,� Dr Maria Van �erkhove, a World Health Organization infectious disease epidemiologist, said in a press conference. New advice on pregnancy and heart disease Special care is needed before, during, and after pregnancy, including stopping certain heart medications P regnant women with heart disease should receive pre-pregnancy counselling and specialised care while being monitored after giving birth, according to a new statement from the American Heart Association. “Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of pregnancy-related death and are increasing, possibly because women are having babies at older ages and are more likely to have preexisting heart disease or heart disease risk factors,� said Dr �axmi Mehta, writing group chair for the statement and director of preventive cardiology and women’s cardiovascular health at The Ohio �tate �niversity Wexner Medical Center, in a news release. Women with cardiovascular conditions including chronic high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart muscle disease, diabetes, or previous heart attacks, should talk to a cardio-obstetric team of experts before planning to get pregnant. “For each of these cardiac conditions, pregnancy can impact treatment as there are limitations in medication management and invasive procedures given the potential fetal risks. �or example, statin medications should not be used to lower cholesterol during pregnancy because these drugs could cause fetal abnormalities, according to the most recent cholesterol guidelines. Women should understand fetal risks and the risks to their own health posed by heart conditions before becoming pregnant,� said Dr Mehta. �If a woman is taking statin drugs, they should be discontinued one to two months before pregnancy is attempted.� High blood pressure disorders like preeclampsia are the most common cardiovascular problems among pregnant women, therefore blood pressure should be monitored closely. Women can also do their part to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy. “The role of a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy – whether or not a woman has a cardiovascular condition � cannot be emphasized enough. Healthy diet, moderate exercise including walking, smoking cessation and other healthy behaviours are important tools for a healthy pregnancy for both mother and child,� she said. 24 JULY 2020 GlobalHealthAndTravel.com