Pediatric hospitalizations due to SARS-CoV-2 infection with respiratory involvement
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v31.i3.28014Keywords:
child, COVID-19, respiratory tract infectionAbstract
Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 may have several clinical presentations infection in children, with some requiring hospitalization. The published evidence is still scarce regarding the best approach and treatment for these cases.
Objective: To describe pediatric hospitalizations due to SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infection in a tertiary centre.
Material and methods: Retrospective observational study of SARS-CoV-2 admissions with respiratory involvement in the pediatric ward of a tertiary hospital between March 2020 and April 2022. Inclusion criteria comprised pediatric patients (0-17 years) hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection, with a length of stay >24 hours and respiratory infection code from the International Classification of Diseases. Data were collected through patients’ electronic clinical records.
Results: A total of 32 patients were included, 53% of whom females, with a higher proportion of hospitalizations in the Autumn-Winter season (n=21, 66%) and a mean length of hospital stay of 7 days. The median age was 18 months (interquartile range 4-135 months), and the mean days of disease was 4. The main symptoms reported were fever (n=31, 97%) and cough (n=25, 78%). Comorbidities were present in 14 patients (44%), who presented the highest length of stay (mean of 10 days). Most patients (n=29, 91%) had performed blood workup and biochemical analysis, and 25% had a viral coinfection. Chest x-ray was performed in almost all patients (n=29, 91%), and CT-scan in 9%. Low-flow oxygen therapy was used in 50% of patients, and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in 13%. One patient required intensive care. Long COVID symptoms were reported in 25% of the study sample.
Conclusions: In two years of pandemic, only 32 patients required hospitalization. Most required oxygen therapy, with good clinical course. HFNC appears to be safe and should be considered in the treatment of these patients. Patients with comorbidities seem to have prolonged and more severe disease.
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