Abstract :
Objective: COVID-19 is an extremely infectious disease. Few studies have focused on the clinical profile and outcome of pediatric COVID-19. This study conducted a retrospective review of the clinical features of COVID-19 in 100 children (age group 6 month -14 years) at NMCH, Patna and the objective was to assess clinical profiles of children infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and their outcomes.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on children admitted with a definite diagnosis of COVID-19 in Bihar using RT-PCR using nasopharyngeal swab. Records of patients were examined and data were analyzed to draw conclusions which will help in better management and prognostication of future cases.
Results: Hundred children aged 6 months to 14 years were included. All of them were RT-PCR confirmed cases. Asymptomatic cases accounted for - 20 %, of which 30% had abnormal chest radiologic findings. A majority of pediatric COVID-19 cases showed mild to moderate clinical features, and only a few developed severe diseases (10 % of total). Two patients died, both of which had co- morbities. Besides respiratory symptoms, gastrointestinal and atypical features such as neurological symptoms and multisystem inflammation are also reported. Younger infants and those with co-morbidites (like leukemia and chronic kidney disease) were found to be at risk of severe illness. It is possible to manage the children with mild disease at home, with strict infection prevention control measures; severely affected require respiratory support and intensive care management. Fever (77.9%) and cough (32.4%) were the predominant presenting symptoms of pediatric COVID-19. The pediatric patients had fewer underlying diseases and complications than adults. The treatment modalities for pediatric COVID-19 patients were not as complex as those of adult COVID-19 patients. The overall prognosis of pediatric COVID-19 was good with a better recovery. The average time from onset to cure was 14 days.
Conclusions: Compared to adults, COVID-19 in children has distinct features of epidemiology and clinical manifestations. The outcome and prognosis in children was better as compared to adults and elderly patients admitted in that hospital. The findings from this study might help to guide the development of measures to better prevent and manage this ongoing global pandemic.
Keyword :
Pediatric intensive care unit, RT-PCR, COVID-19, Mortality.