Abstract
Objective: Aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics, clinical features, treatment, and short-term prognosis of COVID-19 in children.Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted in 48 children with COVID-19 admitted to 12 hospitals in eight cities in Hunan province, China, from January 26, 2020 to June 30, 2020.Results: Of the 48 cases, Familial clusters were confirmed for 46 children (96%). 16 (33%) were imported from other provinces. There were 11 (23%) asymptomatic cases. only 2 cases (4%) were severe. The most common symptom was fever (n = 20, 42%). Other symptoms included cough (n = 19, 40%), fatigue (n = 8, 17%), and diarrhea (n = 5, 10%). In the early stage, the total peripheral blood leukocytes count increased in 3(6%) cases and the lymphocytes count decreased in 5 (10%) cases. C-reactive protein and procalcitonin were elevated respectively in 3 (6%) cases and 2 (4%) cases. There were abnormal chest CT changes in 22 (46%) children, including 15 (68%) with patchy ground glass opacity, 5 (22%) with consolidation, and 2 (10%) with mixed shadowing. In addition to supportive treatment, antiviral therapy was received by 41 (85%) children, 11 (23%) patients were treated with antibiotics, and 2 (4%) were treated with methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin. Compared to 2 weeks follow-up, one child developed low fever and headache during the 4 weeks follow-up, 3 (6%) children had runny noses, one of them got mild cough, and 4 (12%) children had elevated white blood cells and lymphocytes. However, LDH and CK increased at 2 weeks and 4 weeks follow-up. 2 weeks follow-up identified normal chest radiographs in 33 (69%) pediatric patients. RT-PCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 was negative in all follow-up patients at 2 and 4 weeks follow-up. All 48 pediatric patients were visited by calling after 1 year of discharge.Conclusions: Most cases of COVID-19 in children in Hunan province were asymptomatic, mild, or moderate. Close family contact was the main route of infection. It appeared that the younger the patient, the less obvious their symptoms. Epidemiological history, nucleic acid test, and chest imaging were important tools for diagnosis in children.
Highlights
The emergence and spread of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) in Wuhan, Hubei province, China in December 2019 has resulted in a global health crisis, threatening many thousands of lives
A Retrospective Study of COVID-19 in Children. It appeared that the younger the patient, the less obvious their symptoms
Patients were divided into five groups: [1] Asymptomatic: no symptoms and no pneumonia on imaging; [2] Mild: only mild clinical symptoms including upper respiratory symptoms and some slight gastrointestinal symptoms with no pneumonia on imaging; [3] Moderate: common symptoms and signs with typical pneumonia on imaging, or no clinical symptoms and signs but pneumonia on imaging; [4] Severe: the above typical features accompanied by dyspnea and hypoxemia; and [5] Critical: patients rapidly progressing to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or respiratory failure, with shock, multiple organ dysfunction (MODS), and/or death
Summary
Of the 48 cases, Familial clusters were confirmed for 46 children (96%). 16 (33%) were imported from other provinces. Of the 48 cases, Familial clusters were confirmed for 46 children (96%). Other symptoms included cough (n = 19, 40%), fatigue (n = 8, 17%), and diarrhea (n = 5, 10%). The total peripheral blood leukocytes count increased in 3(6%) cases and the lymphocytes count decreased in 5 (10%) cases. There were abnormal chest CT changes in 22 (46%) children, including 15 (68%) with patchy ground glass opacity, 5 (22%) with consolidation, and 2 (10%) with mixed shadowing. Compared to 2 weeks follow-up, one child developed low fever and headache during the 4 weeks follow-up, 3 (6%) children had runny noses, one of them got mild cough, and 4 (12%) children had elevated white blood cells and lymphocytes. 2 weeks follow-up identified normal chest radiographs in 33 (69%) pediatric patients. All 48 pediatric patients were visited by calling after 1 year of discharge
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
