ABSTRACT
Background : COVID-19, a novel pneumonia associated with the 2019 coronavirus infected pneumonia suddenly broke out in the world. The aim of this study is to analyze and summarize the clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with COVID‐19. Patients and method: Twenty-one patients confirmed by clinical and laboratory findings from 20 February to 19 April, 2020 in North of Iran were included. Demography information, clinical, laboratory and radiological findings, and treatment strategies of patients were evaluated. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 13.0 software.Results : Body temperature was ≥38ºC in 11(52.4%) patients. Eleven (52/3%) patients had tachypnea and 4(19%) of them developed tachycardia. Six (30%) of patients suffered from a decrease in white blood cells. Also a decrease in creatine phosphokinase level was seen in 1(33%) of patients. Nine CT scans (42.85%) demonstrated a halo sign. Seven patients’ (33.33%) CT scans showed a patchy infiltration. Nine (42.85%) CT scans had bilateral crazy-paving pattern. 38.1% of patients were treated with chloroquine and oseltamivir. Four (19.04%) patients died and 17(80.95%) patients were discharged from the hospital. One of the patients who died suffered from acute respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusion : We found out that pediatrics, especially boys are more susceptible to COVID‐19 and it is more common in school-age and toddlers. Manifestations are milder than adults and severe cases associated with underlying disease. The effectiveness of medications used in the treatment of this disease need further study.
INTRODUCTION
COVID-19 (novel 2019 coronavirus) is currently causing a global pandemic1. In humans, COVID-19 mostly causes respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms2 and its clinical manifestations range from a common cold to more severe diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiorgan failure, and even death 2. COVID-19 has fewer symptoms and is less likely to affect children, and is less severe in compared with adults 3. COVID-19 is also associated with much lower mortality rates in children compared with adults. The evidence shows that children who suffered from COVID-19 are less likely to be symptomatic or develop severe symptoms. Compared with adults, children more often have gastrointestinal symptoms, and most children with COVID-19 had fever 4. The majority of children infected by COVID-19 documented household contact. Neonates who were born to mothers with COVID‐19 infection also were in danger4. In this prospective study, we collected the demography information, clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings, as well as treatment strategies with a focus on infections in pediatrics