Clinical characteristics of children hospitalized for COVID-19⋆ Características clínicas de los niños hospitalizados por COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Introduction Most SARS-CoV2 infections in the pediatric population are asymptomatic or with mild symptoms, with a minimal proportion of severe cases described as SARS-CoV2-associated multi-system inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). The objective was to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of pediatric patients admitted with confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV2 infection from the beginning of the pandemic until May 2021. Methods Retrospective observational study of pediatric patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19, in a tertiary hospital. Epidemiological and clinical data, additional tests, treatments administered and evolution were collected. Results 30 patients were included, classified into 3 groups according to diagnosis respiratory infection, MIS-C and compatible symptoms. The patients with pneumonia were associated with age older, comorbidities and lymphopenia. MIS-C were more serious patients, with marked laboratory involvement and greater admission to PICU. Most of these were secondary cases of contact in the family environment. Discussion The most frequent clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in children are mild-moderate respiratory with good evolution. MIS-C is another form of expression of SARS-COV2 infection of greater severity, but usually with good prognosis after early diagnosis and frequent PICU admission.