Abstract
The aim of the present work is to summarize the available data from observational studies performed in a real clinical setting of patients with active COVID-19 infection.A systematic review of publications in the scientific medical literature was conducted during the period from the beginning of the infection to the end of June, 2021. All of the 28 publications included in this review are full-text, observational studies published in English, conducted in a real clinical environment and present data on patients, who have been infected with COVID-19. Out of the 28 studies, 4 reviewed the possibility of a mother to infect her newborn during pregnancy or breastfeeding and found no risk to children. One study was related to children and adolescents of all races and included also patients with MIS-C and comorbidities. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation (HFNC) with a nasal cannula in patients with respiratory failure has been also explored and was reported to lead to a positive outcome. Three papers were dedicated to assessment of COVID-19 Standard of Care (SoC), in particular administration of hydroxychloroquine and doxycycline, favipiravir and remdesivir. Another three articles reviewed a large cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The mortality was higher in patients who were in the ICU. Observational studies of patients with COVID-19 in a real life setting are relatively limited, but provide valuable information on the risks of the disease in adults, children and newborns, as well as the treatment of complications of the infection.