Very few COVID-19-post children need to go to the hospital, a case study found

At the onset of the 2019 coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), many scientists were left baffled about why and how the disease affected older adults and those with comorbidities. These groups are at higher risk of developing adverse symptoms and are more likely to die from the disease.

At the same time, most children and adolescents appear to be constrained by the severity of the coronavirus syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). As the pandemic grows, several studies have examined the reasons behind this.

A team of researchers at the Departments of Infectious Diseases, UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh, USA, sought to identify a clinical demonstration of children with COVID-19 in Western Pennsylvania.

The team has found that pediatric patients respond well to the disease, with only a small number requiring hospital admissions. Fewer patients present with acute illness.

COVID-19 and children

Although reports of COVID-19 starvation have been reported in pediatric patients in many countries, there are studies on the severity of the disease in children. Some countries have reported the manifestation of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), similar to Kawasaki disease.

MIS-C is a condition in which various body parts become inflamed, including the heart, kidneys, lungs, skin, brain, eyes, or gastrointestinal tract. Although the exact cause is unknown, many children with MIS-C had COVID-19. If the condition is not treated accordingly, it can be fatal, but most people diagnosed with the disease will get medical care.

The study

In the study, published on the introduction medRxiv * server, the researchers wanted to find out how severe the disease in children is caused by COVID-19.

To reach the conclusions of the study, the researchers included all patients receiving care at the partner facilities who had SARS-CoV-2-compatible disease. The team established and compiled a pediatric COVID-19 registry that includes cases in patients younger than 22 years.

The review team performed a review card based on a chart of COVID-19 character presentation, patterns of illness, patterns of healthcare use, and short-term outcomes among pediatric cases.

Findings of the study

Between March and August 2020, 955 SARS-CoV-2-tested cases were diagnosed between 0 and 19 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (PA). This area is the most populous county in West PA. Of these, 424 pediatric COVID-19 cases were admitted.

About 65% of cases had seen the virus, and 79% had symptoms. Of all patients, 4.5% required hospitalization. Approximately 19 patients developed acute COVID-19 infection, and three had MIS-C. Patients admitted to hospital were younger and more likely to have pre-existing conditions.

The team also found that Black / Hispanic patients were 5.8 times more likely to be hospitalized than White patients. Of all patients who followed, five were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), including the three MIS-C patients. Two of those in the PICU required Bilevel Positive Air Pressure (BiPAP), and one required a mechanical air conditioner.

The good news is, all pediatric cases came alive and recovered from the disease.

This report provides a broad overview of the extent of the manifestation of pediatric infection with SARS-CoV-2 in one geographical area. Pediatric patients generally respond well to this disease, with very few requiring hospital admissions, and even fewer with acute illness, ”concluded the team in the study.

However, it is essential to protect the health of young people in the midst of coronavirus infection. Many countries do not allow small children to go out, especially for unnecessary travel.

Younger people should also understand the importance of infection control measures, such as wearing masks, washing their hands, and maintaining social pace.

Important notice

*medRxiv publish preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be seen as final, guiding health-related clinical practice / behavior, or be treated as information established.