Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Paediatric Patients with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): An observational study

Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has spread throughout the world and reports of children with COVID-19 are increasing. This study was conducted to assess the clinical features and outcome of COVID-19 in children. Materials & Method: This observational study was conducted on RT-PCR positive COVID-19 admitted children up to 14 years of age from May 2020 to November 2020 at the Pediatric Department of J K hospital Bhopal MP India. Data were analysed after collection of demographic and clinical data of 14 enrolled children. Results: The mean age was 33.86±46.34 months with a male-female ratio of 1:1. More than half (68.75%) of the children had positive blood group O and the mean hospital stay was 6.79±7.06 days. Mean duration between contact & appearance of symptom was 12.5±12.56 days. The major clinical symptom was fever (100%). Next most common presenting symptoms were loose stool, vomiting & abdominal pain (50%), and convulsion (25%). The severity classification of COVID-19 is as follows; asymptomatic [n = 0, 0%], mild [n = 7, 23%], moderate [n = 16, 50%], severe [n = 5, 15.62%], critical [n = 1, 3.12%]. Three children were admitted to high dependent unit (HDU) and one intensive care unit (ICU) respectively. Conclusion: Symptoms of COVID-19 in children are mild, and most patients may experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as loose stools, abdominal pain, and febrile seizures. The findings of this study could help make an appropriate early diagnosis and thus control the epidemic.