The Prevalence of COVID-19 in Asymptomatic Cases and Its Effect on Complication Development in Children Scheduled for Emergency and Urgent Surgery.

ABSTRACT

Objective: Although COVID-19 in childhood is often asymptomatic or has a more benign course, the safety of healthcare workers should be the primary goal because of the risk of contamination. In our study, we aimed to investigate the asymptomatic COVID-19 PCR positivity and its effect on the development of complications in emergency and non-deferred surgery cases that will help both the patient, the operating room and the health care workers. Material(s) and Method(s) This is a prospective study that was performed in patients under 18 years of age who were operated on due to emergency and urgent cases in the Ankara City Children's Hospital, which was serving as an anti-pandemic hospital. The patients were evaluated from May 1 to October 1, 2020. Of the 458 patients, 433 patients who met the criteria were included in the study. COVID-19 Nasopharyngeal swab (PCR) samples were taken from all patients along with preoperative examinations. Result(s) Of the 433 cases included in the study, 155 (33.5%) were girls and 278 (66.5%) were boys. It was determined that emergency cases constituted 389 (89.8%) of all cases. The most common emergency pathologies according to age groups were intestinal obstruction or atresia in the neonatal period, foreign body aspirations of the respiratory tract in the preschool period, and acute appendicitis in the school age. Nasal swab PCR results were positive in only four patients, this rate was found to be 0.9% in the entire study group, and postoperative complications and transmission to healthcare workers were detected at none. Conclusion(s) In this prospective study, low COVID-19 PCR positivity (0.9% prevalence) was detected in asymptomatic children scheduled for emergency or non-deferred surgery, and we believe that it will shed light on the planning of safe procedure practices. Copyright © 2021 Ankara Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital. All rights reserved.