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