Clinical profile and outcome of children with coronavirus disease 2019 infection during the three waves: An observational study from Eastern India

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is a global problem, which had occurred in waves thereby causing high mortality globally. The clinical presentations and prognosis varied in different populations and geographical locations. There is a dearth of the study describing the clinical presentation and outcome of children in all the three major waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: In this observational study, we described the clinical characteristics and outcomes of children enrolled both prospectively and retrospectively from a tertiary care teaching institute in the eastern part of India. The data included that of all the three major waves of COVID-19 (from April 2020 to March 2022). Results: During the study period, data of 192 children could be retrieved from the hospital records. Boys were more affected than girls. Fever was the most common presenting complaint, followed by cough. Contact with a known case of COVID-19, underlying comorbidity, breathing difficulty, and the number of children affected with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) were significantly higher in the first and second waves compared to the third wave. Lymphopenia, abnormal chest X-ray, use of antibiotics, oxygen, intravenous immunoglobulin, and steroids were significantly higher in the first and second waves compared to the third wave. There was no difference in mortality. Conclusions: The third wave in children was milder compared to the first and second waves. Fever was the most common manifestation in all the waves. MIS-C was rarely seen during the third wave. There was no difference in mortality.