Clinical presentation, laboratory profile and immediate outcome of   covid-19 patients in pediatric age group in a tertiary care centre- a retrospective observational study.

Abstract

Background SARS‑CoV‑2 infection presentation in children is usually milder than in adults but can be severe and fatal as well particularly in association with certain comorbidities. Aims and objectives To Study Demographic Profile of Children Affected by Covid 19. To Study Clinical Presentation and Laboratory Profile of Covid-19 And Immediate Outcome in Children Affected by Covid -19  Methods This retrospective study was undertaken at a tertiary care paediatric teaching hospital. Patients aged 1month to 14 years who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted in IMS & SUM hospital India. The data on clinical characteristics, Demographics profile and outcome of children (< 14 y) with COVID-19 illness from April 2020–October 2022 were reviewed and analysed. Results A total of 351 COVID-19-positive children (tested by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction from nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab) admitted during the study period. 35% children belong to age group 1-5 yr and Male children were affected more (64%) than female (36%), The most common symptoms in this study were fever (86%), cough (82%) and myalgia (48%). Abnormal CT findings ground glass opacity seen in about 24% cases. The mortality rate of patients with SARS-CoV-2 was 2% (7/351). Majority of children admitted with COVID-19 had mild to moderate illness except few groups due to the presence of comorbidities and malnutrition. Conclusions Children of all age groups were susceptible to COVID-19 illness with a slight male preponderance. Amongst infected, two-third were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms that required outpatient management and home isolation. The adverse outcomes were more commonly seen in infants and children > 10 y of age with associated malnutrition and comorbidities.