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COVID-19: A UK Children's Hospital Experience.

COVID-19: A UK Children's Hospital Experience.

Authors :
Kanthimathinathan HK
Dhesi A
Hartshorn S
Ali SH
Kirk J
Nagakumar P
Jyothish D
Source :
Hospital pediatrics [Hosp Pediatr] 2020 Sep; Vol. 10 (9), pp. 802-805. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Jun 09.
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

Objectives: Reports from China relating to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in children indicate a milder disease course compared with adults. Although a few pediatric COVID-19 reports from other parts of the world exist, there are none from the United Kingdom. We describe the clinical characteristics of children with COVID-19 admitted to a specialist children's hospital in United Kingdom.<br />Methods: Retrospective case-series of inpatients with a positive polymerase chain reaction test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, during a 6-week period from March 14 to April 24, 2020.<br />Results: Forty-five children tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 during the study period. Median (interquartile range) age was 3.5 (0.7-12) years, and 31 (69%) were male. Children with comorbidities constituted 64% (29 of 45) of the study population, including 44% (20 of 45) who were considered "extremely vulnerable." Fever (67%) and cough (55%) were the most common symptoms. High C-reactive protein (>10 mg/L) was observed in 68% (19 of 28). Lymphopenia (<1.2 × 10 <superscript>9</superscript> /L) was observed in 23% (9 of 40) of children, but it was related to coexisting medical conditions in 6 children. Nine children required supplemental oxygen, two of whom received high-flow nasal cannula oxygen; one needed noninvasive ventilation and one child required invasive mechanical ventilation. Median length of stay of children with an admission outcome ( n = 42, 93%) was 3 (2-7) days. There were no COVID-19-related deaths.<br />Conclusions: COVID-19 had a relatively mild course of illness in majority of the hospitalized children that included a subgroup of vulnerable children with significant comorbidities. Confirmation of this in larger nationwide studies of children is required.<br />Competing Interests: POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.<br /> (Copyright © 2020 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2154-1671
Volume :
10
Issue :
9
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Hospital pediatrics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
32518091
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1542/hpeds.2020-000208