Coronavirus infection in children: epidemiological and clinical characteristics

Abstract

Aim: To study epidemiological and clinical features of COVID-19 in children who were admitted to a hospital. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted within April 1st and July 31st 2020. Overall 176 children aged from 0 to 17 with confirmed COVID-19 were included. These patients were divided on three clinical groups: first - patients with asymptomatic form - 49 (27.84%), second - children with mild form - 84 (47.73%), third - patients with moderate form of COVID-19 - 43 (24.43%). COVID-19 was diagnosed by PCR. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the Statistica 10.0 package. Pearson's.(2) was used to compare two independent groups. The criterion level p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Study Results. COVID-19 was found more often in age groups 4-7 and 12-17, mainly in boys. Most of the children had close contact with people diagnosed with COVID-19. The average incubation period was 3.0 [1.0;7.0] days, the average time from first symptoms to the hospitalization was 3.0 [1.0;4.0] days. Fever, cough, weakness, runny nose, sore throat were the most common symptoms. Conclusion. The largest number of cases of COVID-19 was registered amongst senior schoolchildren, mainly in boys. The minimal tourist activity and low level of flu vaccination were found in children with COVID-19. The widest range of clinical symptoms was more common for children with moderate form of the disease.