CLINICAL FEATURES AND SHORT-TERM OUTCOME OF COVID-19 IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF CENTRAL INDIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Objectives: To fill the knowledge gap and make a clinical profile (frequency, clinical features and outcome) of COVID-19 paediatric patients attending the tertiary care hospital of central India. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Department of Paediatrics, R.D Gardi Medical College, Ujjain, M.P among 88 age group of 0-18 years admitted consented COVID-19 positive pediatric patients over a period of one year (March 2021 to April 2022). Results: Fever was the most common (76%) complaint, followed by fatigue/ malaise (52%), dry cough and runny nose (45%). Fever stayed for the longest duration (2.80±2.30 days), followed by loss of smell (1.97±2.43 days). Skin rashes stayed for the least duration (0.09±0.39 days). Stunting was observed in 28% participants. Hospital acquired pneumonia was seen in many (26%), along with liver dysfunction in 19%, ARDS in 18%, meningitis/ encephalitis in 16%, MIS-C in 8% and septic shock in 7%. Most of the study participants (49%) had received Azithromycin; while Ivermectin was given to very few participants (16%). Mean duration of stay in hospital was observed to be 9.01±7.95 days. COVID-19 severely hampered the vulnerable section of the society, i.e., the children. Conclusion: The prevalence was found to be more in females, and increased with advancing age. Overcrowding and under nutrition favoured its spread. Children presented with variable complications, as well.