[Time of ethics review of research proposals: results of an observational study]. / Tiempos de evaluación ética de protocolos de investigación: resultados de un estudio observacional.

The review of research protocols by Research Ethics Committees (RECs), essential to ensure the protection of participants, has been managed in the City of Buenos Aires through the PRIISA.BA electronic platform since January 2020. The aim of the present study was to describe ethical review times, their temporal evolution, and predictors of their duration. We conducted an observational study that included all the protocols reviewed between January 2020 and September 2021. Times to approval and to first observation were calculated. Temporal trends in times, and the multivariate association between these and protocol and IRB characteristics were evaluated. 2,781 protocols reviewed in 62 RECs were included. The median time to approval was 29.11 (RIQ 11.29 to 63.35) days, and time to first observation was 8.92 (RIQ 2.05 to 18.18) days. The times were significantly reduced throughout the study period. We detected as variables independently associated with shorter time to approval to be a COVID proposal, having funding and the number of centers to perform the study and having been reviewed by an RECs with more than 10 members. Making observations to the protocol was associated with more time. The results of the present work suggest that ethical review times were reduced during study period. In addition, variables associated with time were identified that could be the object of interventions to improve the process.

Persistent symptoms after COVID-19 in children and adolescents from Argentina

Background While long COVID-19 is widely recognized in adults, less information is available about this condition in children, especially in developing countries. Here, we studied the long-term symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection beyond 3 months and the associated risk factors in a pediatric population. Methods This observational study included 639 Argentinian children and adolescents with previously confirmed COVID-19 from June 2020-June 2021 and 577 children without previous COVID-19. Parents completed a survey about symptoms that their child had for > 3 months after the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results At least one persistent symptom was observed more frequently in children with previous COVID-19 than in the non-COVID-19 group (34% vs. 13%, p<0.0001). SARS-CoV-2 infection increased the risk of headache, dizziness, loss of taste, dyspnea, cough, fatigue, muscle pain and loss of weight by three- to sevenfold. Loss of smell was only reported in infected children. After controlling for the other variables, older age, symptomatic COVID-19 and comorbidities were independent predictors of long-term symptoms. Conclusions A third of children experienced persistent symptoms after COVID-19. Older age, symptomatic infection and comorbidities were shown to be risk factors for long COVID-19. Pediatric long COVID-19 is a new condition that requires further investigation.

Persistent symptoms after COVID-19 in children and adolescents from Argentina.

OBJECTIVES: Although long COVID-19 is widely recognized in adults, less information is available about this condition in children, especially in developing countries. Here, we studied the long-term symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection beyond 3 months and the associated risk factors in a pediatric population. METHODS: This observational study included 639 Argentinian children and adolescents with previously confirmed COVID-19 from June 2020-June 2021 and 577 children without previous COVID-19. Parents completed a survey about symptoms that their child had for >3 months after the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS: At least one persistent symptom was observed more frequently in children with previous COVID-19 than in the non-COVID-19 group (34% vs 13%, P <0.0001). SARS-CoV-2 infection increased the risk of headache, dizziness, loss of taste, dyspnea, cough, fatigue, muscle pain, and loss of weight by three- to seven-fold. The loss of smell was only reported in infected children. After controlling for the other variables, older age, symptomatic COVID-19, and comorbidities were independent predictors of long-term symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: One-third of children experienced persistent symptoms after COVID-19. Older age, symptomatic infection, and comorbidities were shown to be risk factors for long COVID-19. Pediatric long COVID-19 is a new condition that requires further investigation.

Antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in children infected with pre-Omicron variants: An observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Despite that pediatric COVID-19 is usually asymptomatic or mild, SARS-CoV-2 infection typically results in the development of an antibody response. Contradictory observations have been reported when the antibody response of children and adults were compared in terms of strength, specificity and perdurability. METHODS: This observational study includes three cohorts infected with SARS-CoV-2 between March 2020-July 2021: unvaccinated infected children (n=115), unvaccinated infected adults (n=62), and vaccinated infected children (n=76). Plasma anti-spike IgG antibodies and neutralising activity against Wuhan, Delta and Omicron variants after 7-17 months post-infection were analysed. FINDINGS: More than 95% of unvaccinated infected children and adults remained seropositive when evaluated at 382-491 and 386-420 days after infection, respectively. Anti-spike IgG titers and plasma neutralising activity against Wuhan, Delta and Omicron variants were higher in children compared to adults. No differences were found when unvaccinated infected children were stratified by age, gender or presence/absence of symptoms in the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but a slight decrease in the antibody response was observed in those with comorbidities. Vaccination of previously infected children with two doses of the inactivated BBIBP-CorV or the mRNA vaccines, BNT162b2 and/or mRNA-1273, further increased anti-spike IgG titers and neutralising activity against Wuhan, Delta and Omicron variants. INTERPRETATION: Unvaccinated infected children mount a more potent and sustained antibody response compared with adults, which is significantly increased after vaccination. Further studies including not only the analysis of the immune response but also the effectiveness to prevent reinfections by the different Omicron lineages are required to optimise vaccination strategy in children. FUNDING: National Agency for Scientific and Technological Promotion from Argentina (PICTO-COVID-SECUELAS-00007 and PMO-BID-PICT2018-2548).

Extracellular ATP and Imbalance of CD4+ T Cell Compartment in Pediatric COVID-19.

Severe COVID-19 in children is rare, but the reasons underlying are unclear. Profound alterations in T cell responses have been well characterized in the course of adult severe COVID-19, but little is known about the T cell function in children with COVID-19. Here, we made three major observations in a cohort of symptomatic children with acute COVID-19: 1) a reduced frequency of circulating FoxP3+ regulatory T cells, 2) the prevalence of a TH17 polarizing microenvironment characterized by high plasma levels of IL-6, IL-23, and IL17A, and an increased frequency of CD4+ T cells expressing ROR-γt, the master regulator of TH17 development, and 3) high plasma levels of ATP together with an increased expression of the P2X7 receptor. Moreover, that plasma levels of ATP displayed an inverse correlation with the frequency of regulatory T cells but a positive correlation with the frequency of CD4+ T cells positive for the expression of ROR-γt. Collectively, our data indicate an imbalance in CD4+ T cell profiles during pediatric COVID-19 that might favor the course of inflammatory processes. This finding also suggests a possible role for the extracellular ATP in the acquisition of an inflammatory signature by the T cell compartment offering a novel understanding of the involved mechanisms.

Effect of electronic prescriptions on the safety of hospitalized pediatric patients. / Efecto del empleo de prescripciones informatizadas en la seguridad de pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados.

INTRODUCTION: Prescription errors are the most common cause of preventable errors. Electronic prescription (EP) systems may help to reduce errors and improve the quality of care. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of EP on the prevalence of prescription errors and related adverse events (AE) among hospitalized pediatric patients. To assess EP adherence, acceptability, and suitability among users. METHODS: Hybrid, descriptive, and quasi-experimental, before-and-after design. Prescriptions made to hospitalized patients were included, estimating the prevalence of prescription errors and related AE in the pre- and post- EP implementation periods at a children's hospital (CH) and a general hospital (GH) used as control. Adherence was assessed based on the proportion of EP among all prescriptions registered in the post-implementation period. The acceptability and suitability of EP implementation was assessed via a user survey. RESULTS: The prevalence of prescription errors pre- and post-EP implementation at the CH was compared and a statistically significant reduction was observed in both hospitals: CH: 29.1 versus 19.9 prescription errors/100 prescriptions (OR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.34-2.02; p < 0.01). GH: 24.9 versus 13.6 prescription errors/100 prescriptions (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.5-2.8; p < 0.01). The rate of overall adherence to EP was 83%. The implementation of EP was adequately acceptable and suitable. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of prescription errors reduced 30% after the implementation of EP. The overall adherence to EP was adequate.

Introducción. Los errores en prescripción médica (EPM) son la causa más frecuente de errores prevenibles. El empleo de sistemas de prescripción informatizada (PI) contribuiría a disminuir el error y a mejorar la calidad de atención. Objetivos. Evaluar el efecto de la PI en la prevalencia de EPM y eventos adversos (EA) relacionados en pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados. Evaluar la adherencia, aceptabilidad y apropiabilidad de la herramienta por parte de los usuarios. Método. Diseño híbrido, descriptivo y cuasiexperimental tipo antes-después. Se incluyeron prescripciones médicas de pacientes hospitalizados, calculando la prevalencia de EPM y EA relacionados, en los períodos pre-y posimplementación de la PI en un hospital pediátrico (HP) y en uno general (HG) que se tomó como control. Se evaluó la adherencia mediante la proporción de las PI sobre las totales registradas en el período posimplementación. Se evaluó la aceptabilidad y apropiabilidad de la implementación por encuesta a los usuarios. Resultados. Al comparar la prevalencia de EPM pre- y posimplementación en el HP, se observó una disminución estadísticamente significativa en los dos hospitales: HP 29,1 versus 19,9 EPM/100 prescripciones (OR: 1,65; IC95 %: 1,34-2,02; p < 0,01). En el HG 24,9 versus 13,6 EPM/100 prescripciones (OR: 2,1; IC95 %: 1,5-2,8; p < 0,01). La tasa de adherencia global a la PI fue del 83 %. La implementación presentó aceptabilidad y apropiabilidad satisfactoria. Conclusión. La prevalencia de EPM se redujo un 30 % posimplementación. La adherencia global a la herramienta fue satisfactoria.

Children hospitalized for COVID-19 during the first winter of the pandemic in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Although there are reports on COVID-19 in pediatrics, the characteristics of the population of each country, its health systems, and how the pandemic was addressed could give the disease distinctive features worldwide. We aimed to describe the characteristics of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in a tertiary pediatric hospital in the City of Buenos Aires, Argentina. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive study, including all patients hospitalized for COVID-19 from 04/26/2020 to 10/31/2020 in a tertiary pediatric hospital. We described the demographic, clinical, and epidemiological characteristics of the patients. RESULTS: During the period studied, 578 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19. The median age was 4.2 years, and 83% reported close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case. Regarding severity, 30.8% were asymptomatic, and 60.4% showed mild, 7.4% moderate, and 1.4% severe symptoms. Among symptomatic patients, fever was the most frequent symptom, followed by sore throat and cough. CONCLUSIONS: We reported 578 cases of children and adolescents hospitalized with COVID-19, of which the majority showed mild or asymptomatic disease.

A poor and delayed anti-SARS-CoV2 IgG response is associated to severe COVID-19 in children.

BACKGROUND: Most children and youth develop mild or asymptomatic disease during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, a very small number of patients suffer severe Coronavirus induced disease 2019 (COVID-19). The reasons underlying these different outcomes remain unknown. METHODS: We analyzed three different cohorts: children with acute infection (n=550), convalescent children (n=138), and MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, n=42). IgG and IgM antibodies to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, serum-neutralizing activity, plasma cytokine levels, and the frequency of circulating Follicular T helper cells (cTfh) and plasmablasts were analyzed by conventional methods. FINDINGS: Fifty-eight percent of the children in the acute phase of infection had no detectable antibodies at the time of sampling while a seronegative status was found in 25% and 12% of convalescent and MIS-C children, respectively. When children in the acute phase of the infection were stratified according disease severity, we found that contrasting with the response of children with asymptomatic, mild and moderate disease, children with severe COVID-19 did not develop any detectable response. A defective antibody response was also observed in the convalescent cohort for children with severe disease at the time of admission. This poor antibody response was associated to both, a low frequency of cTfh and a high plasma concentration of inflammatory cytokines. INTERPRETATION: A weak and delayed kinetic of antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 together with a systemic pro-inflammatory profile characterize pediatric severe COVID-19. Because comorbidities are highly prevalent in children with severe COVID-19, further studies are needed to clarify their contribution in the weak antibody response observed in severe disease. FUNDING: National Agency for Scientific and Technological Promotion from Argentina (IP-COVID-19-0277 and PMO-BID-PICT2018-2548).

Assessment of an electronic system for research ethics committees document management: An observational study.

Since 1 January 2020, the Central Research Ethics Committee of the Health Ministry implemented PRIISA.BA, an in-house developed electronic system for online submission of health research applications to the 63 public and private research ethics committees (RECs) of Buenos Aires City, Argentina. This study though to compare the times to first review and the time to approval among applications submitted prior to PRIISA.BA and thereafter, across public RECs. All public RECs of the city were invited to participate. Overall, 453 applications from 10 RECs (242 pre- and 211 post-PRIISA.BA) were available for the analyses. There was a decrease in the time to first review and an increase in the time to approval after PRIISA.BA implementation. The increase in time to approval was transient and limited to the first three months. The results were consistent with analyses limited to non-COVID applications. Our results show an increase in the times to approval after the implementation of an electronic system for online submission of health research applications that, although transient, was significant. These data could be relevant to other RECs implementing this technology since it emphasizes the need of monitoring potential unnecessary delays in reviews during the critical initial period.

Blood neutrophils from children with COVID-19 exhibit both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers.

BACKGROUND: Perhaps reflecting that children with COVID-19 rarely exhibit severe respiratory symptoms and often remain asymptomatic, little attention has been paid to explore the immune response in pediatric COVID-19. Here, we analyzed the phenotype and function of circulating neutrophils from children with COVID-19. METHODS: An observational study including 182 children with COVID-19, 21 children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), and 40 healthy children was performed in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Neutrophil phenotype was analyzed by flow cytometry in blood samples. Cytokine production, plasma levels of IgG antibodies directed to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and citrullinated histone H3 were measured by ELISA. Cell-free DNA was quantified by fluorometry. FINDINGS: Compared with healthy controls, neutrophils from children with COVID-19 showed a lower expression of CD11b, CD66b, and L-selectin but a higher expression of the activation markers HLA-DR, CD64 and PECAM-1 and the inhibitory receptors LAIR-1 and PD-L1. No differences in the production of cytokines and NETs were observed. Interestingly, the expression of CD64 in neutrophils and the serum concentration of IgG antibodies directed to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 distinguished asymptomatic from mild and moderate COVID-19. INTERPRETATION: Acute lung injury is a prominent feature of severe COVID-19 in adults. A low expression of adhesion molecules together with a high expression of inhibitory receptors in neutrophils from children with COVID-19 might prevent tissue infiltration by neutrophils preserving lung function. FUNDING: This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology (National Agency for Scientific and Technological Promotion, IP-COVID-19-0277 and PMO BID PICT 2018-2548), and University of Buenos Aires from Argentina (20020170100573BA).

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among physicians from a children's hospital

Introducción. En pocos meses, la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) se transformó en una pandemia, alcanzando millones de casos y centenas de miles de muertos. Por la enorme capacidad de contagio, el personal de salud se encuentra más expuesto a contraerla. Sin embargo, aún hay muy poca información al respecto, particularmente, entre pediatras.Objetivo. Evaluar la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos anti SARS-CoV-2 en médicos de un hospital pediátrico, a 3 meses del primer caso en la Argentina. Explorar si algunas características demográficas, profesionales y epidemiológicas son factores de riesgo para presentar seropositividad para SARS-CoV-2.Métodos. Estudio transversal, con médicos seleccionados aleatoriamente de la nómina de un hospital pediátrico. En todos, se pesquisaron anticuerpos anti SARS-CoV-2por quimioluminiscencia (inmunoglobulinas G/M -IgG/IgM-) y se recogieron antecedentes epidemiológicos (edad, lugar de residencia, categoría profesional, contacto con enfermos), para explorar asociación entre los predictores y seropositividad.Resultados. Se incluyeron 116 médicos, con una edad promedio de 45,6 ± 13,3 años. El 62,9 % eran médicos de planta, y el resto, residentes. El 42,2 % prestaban servicios en áreas dedicadas a la asistencia directa de pacientes con COVID-19.Cuatro (el 3,5 %) refirieron contacto con enfermos sin la debida protección, y 6 (el 5,2 %), viaje previo a zonas de riesgo. Solo se identificaron anticuerpos anti-SARS-CoV-2 (IgG) en un profesional. Debido a ello, no se pudo evaluar asociación entre los potenciales predictores y la presencia de anticuerpos anti-SARS-CoV-2.Conclusión. Se encontró que solo el 0,9 % de los médicos de un hospital pediátrico presentaban anticuerpos anti-SARS-CoV-2. Introduction. In just a few months, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a pandemic, causing millions of cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths. Due to its high infectiousness, the health care staff is even more exposed. Nevertheless, there is still very limited information about it, especially among pediatricians.Objective. To assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among physicians from a children's hospital 3 months after the first case in Argentina. To explore if certain demographic, occupational, and epidemiological characteristics are risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity.Methods. Cross-sectional study of physicians randomly selected from the list of workers of a children's hospital. All of them were screened for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by chemiluminescence (immunoglobulins G/M [IgG/IgM]) and their epidemiological history was collected (age, place of residence, professional category, contact with infected people) in order to explore the association between predictors and seropositivity.Results. A total of 116 physicians were included;their average age was 45.6 ± 13.3 years. Of them, 62.9 % were staff physicians, and the rest, residents;42.2 % worked in areas designated for direct care of COVID-19 patients. Four (3.5 %) referred contact with infected people without the appropriate protection, and 6 (5.2 %), having traveled to risk areas. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgG) were only detected in one of the professionals. Because of this, it was impossible to assess the association between potential predictors and the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.Conclusion. It was observed that only 0.9 % of the physicians from a children's hospital had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies

Patients assisted at the Department of Medicine of a pediatric hospital at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Introducción. A pesar de la magnitud de la pandemia por COVID-19, la información sobre su desarrollo en pediatría es aún limitada. Se describen las características de pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 en un hospital pediátrico durante los primeros tres meses de la pandemia.Método. Estudio descriptivo, que incluyó a todos los pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19, desde el 1/4/2020 al 30/6/2020.Resultados. Se hospitalizaron 191 pacientes por COVID-19;la edad mediana fue 7,7 años;el 89 % presentaban antecedente de contacto. El 35,6 % se consideraron asintomáticos;el 61,2 %, leves, y el 3,2 %, moderados (no se observaron pacientes graves). Ninguno recibió tratamiento específico para la enfermedad. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron fiebre, odinofagia y tos. La duración de la hospitalización tuvo una mediana de 6 días.Conclusión. Se reportaron 191 casos de niños y adolescentes hospitalizados por COVID-19. La mayoría fueron asintomáticos o presentaron enfermedad leve. Introduction. Despite the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic, the information about its development in pediatrics is still limited. This report describes the characteristics of patients admitted to a children's hospital due to COVID-19 during the first three months of the pandemic.Method. Descriptive study including all patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 between 4/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.Results. A total of 191 patients were hospitalized due to COVID-19;their median age was 7.7 years;89 % had a history of close contact. Of them, 35.6 % were considered asymptomatic;61.2 %, mild cases;and 3.2 %, moderate cases (no severe cases). None of them received a specific treatment for the disease. The most common symptoms were fever, sore throat, and cough. The median length of stay was 6 days.Conclusion. A total of 191 cases of children and adolescents admitted due to COVID-19 are reported. Most were asymptomatic or presented with a mild disease

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among physicians from a children's hospital. / Seroprevalencia de anticuerpos anti SARS-CoV-2 en médicos de un hospital pediátrico.

INTRODUCTION: In just a few months, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a pandemic, causing millions of cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths. Due to its high infectiousness, the health care staff is even more exposed. Nevertheless, there is still very limited information about it, especially among pediatricians. OBJECTIVE: To assess the seroprevalence of SARSCoV- 2 antibodies among physicians from a children's hospital 3 months after the first case in Argentina. To explore if certain demographic, occupational, and epidemiological characteristics are risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of physicians randomly selected from the list of workers of a children's hospital. All of them were screened for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by chemiluminescence (immunoglobulins G/M [IgG/IgM]) and their epidemiological history was collected (age, place of residence, professional category, contact with infected people) in order to explore the association between predictors and seropositivity. RESULTS: A total of 116 physicians were included; their average age was 45.6 ± 13.3 years. Of them, 62.9 % were staff physicians, and the rest, residents; 42.2 % worked in areas designated for direct care of COVID-19 patients. Four (3.5 %) referred contact with infected people without the appropriate protection, and 6 (5.2 %), having traveled to risk areas. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgG) were only detected in one of the professionals. Because of this, it was impossible to assess the association between potential predictors and the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. CONCLUSION: It was observed that only 0.9 % of the physicians from a children's hospital had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Introducción. En pocos meses, la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) se transformó en una pandemia, alcanzando millones de casos y centenas de miles de muertos. Por la enorme capacidad de contagio, el personal de salud se encuentra más expuesto a contraerla. Sin embargo, aún hay muy poca información al respecto, particularmente, entre pediatras. Objetivo. Evaluar la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos anti SARS-CoV-2 en médicos de un hospital pediátrico, a 3 meses del primer caso en la Argentina. Explorar si algunas características demográficas, profesionales y epidemiológicas son factores de riesgo para presentar seropositividad para SARS-CoV-2. Métodos. Estudio transversal, con médicos seleccionados aleatoriamente de la nómina de un hospital pediátrico. En todos, se pesquisaron anticuerpos anti SARS-CoV-2 por quimioluminiscencia (inmunoglobulinas G/M -IgG/IgM-) y se recogieron antecedentes epidemiológicos (edad, lugar de residencia, categoría profesional, contacto con enfermos), para explorar asociación entre los predictores y seropositividad. Resultados. Se incluyeron 116 médicos, con una edad promedio de 45,6 ± 13,3 años. El 62,9 % eran médicos de planta, y el resto, residentes. El 42,2 % prestaban servicios en áreas dedicadas a la asistencia directa de pacientes con COVID-19. Cuatro (el 3,5 %) refirieron contacto con enfermos sin la debida protección, y 6 (el 5,2 %), viaje previo a zonas de riesgo. Solo se identificaron anticuerpos anti-SARS-CoV-2 (IgG) en un profesional. Debido a ello, no se pudo evaluar asociación entre los potenciales predictores y la presencia de anticuerpos anti-SARS-CoV-2. Conclusión. Se encontró que solo el 0,9 % de los médicos de un hospital pediátrico presentaban anticuerpos anti-SARS-CoV-2.

Patients assisted at the Department of Medicine of a pediatric hospital at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Buenos Aires, Argentina. / Pacientes asistidos en el Departamento de Medicina de un hospital pediátrico en el inicio de la pandemia COVID-19 en Buenos Aires, Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic, the information about its development in pediatrics is still limited. This report describes the characteristics of patients admitted to a children's hospital due to COVID-19 during the first three months of the pandemic. METHOD: Descriptive study including all patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 between 4/1/2020 and 6/30/2020. RESULTS: A total of 191 patients were hospitalized due to COVID-19; their median age was 7.7 years; 89% had a history of close contact. Of them, 35.6 % were considered asymptomatic; 61.2 %, mild cases; and 3.2 %, moderate cases (no severe cases). None of them received a specific treatment for the disease. The most common symptoms were fever, sore throat, and cough. The median length of stay was 6 days. CONCLUSION: A total of 191 cases of children and adolescents admitted due to COVID-19 are reported. Most were asymptomatic or presented with a mild disease.

Introducción. A pesar de la magnitud de la pandemia por COVID-19, la información sobre su desarrollo en pediatría es aún limitada. Se describen las características de pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 en un hospital pediátrico durante los primeros tres meses de la pandemia. Método. Estudio descriptivo, que incluyó a todos los pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19, desde el 1/4/2020 al 30/6/2020. Resultados. Se hospitalizaron 191 pacientes por COVID-19; la edad mediana fue 7,7 años; el 89 % presentaban antecedente de contacto. El 35,6 % se consideraron asintomáticos; el 61,2 %, leves, y el 3,2 %, moderados (no se observaron pacientes graves). Ninguno recibió tratamiento específico para la enfermedad. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron fiebre, odinofagia y tos. La duración de la hospitalización tuvo una mediana de 6 días. Conclusión. Se reportaron 191 casos de niños y adolescentes hospitalizados por COVID-19. La mayoría fueron asintomáticos o presentaron enfermedad leve.