What we know so far about Coronavirus Disease 2019 in children: A meta-analysis of 551 laboratory-confirmed cases.
Pediatr Pulmonol
; 55(8): 2115-2127, 2020 08.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-591998
ABSTRACT
AIM:
To summarize what we know so far about coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in children.METHOD:
We searched PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online, and Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information from 1 January 2020 to 4 May 2020. We selected randomized trials, observational studies, case series or case reports, and research letters of children ages birth to 18 years with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses to calculate the weighted mean prevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI) or the weighted average means and 95% CI.RESULT:
Forty-six articles reporting 551 cases of COVID-19 in children (aged 1 day-17.5 years) were included. Eighty-seven percent (95% CI 77%-95%) of patients had household exposure to COVID-19. The most common symptoms and signs were fever (53%, 95% CI 45%-61%), cough (39%, 95% CI 30%-47%), and sore throat/pharyngeal erythema (14%, 95% CI 4%-28%); however, 18% (95% CI 11%-27%) of cases were asymptomatic. The most common radiographic and computed tomography (CT) findings were patchy consolidations (33%, 95% CI 23%-43%) and ground glass opacities (28%, 95% CI 18%-39%), but 36% (95% CI 28%-45%) of patients had normal CT images. Antiviral agents were given to 74% of patients (95% CI 52%-92%). Six patients, all with major underlying medical conditions, needed invasive mechanical ventilation, and one of them died.CONCLUSION:
Previously healthy children with COVID-19 have mild symptoms. The diagnosis is generally suspected from history of household exposure to COVID-19 case. Children with COVID-19 and major underlying condition are more likely to have severe/critical disease and poor prognosis, even death.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Betacoronavirus
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
/
Reviews
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Infant, Newborn
Language:
English
Journal:
Pediatr Pulmonol
Journal subject:
Pediatrics
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Ppul.24869
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