Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Coronavirus disease 2019 in pediatric patients.

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Since the first case of infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) reported in Wuhan (Hubei province, China), in December 2019, a catastrophe was triggered in health systems worldwide as a pandemic affecting individuals of all ages. The clinical presentation and epidemiological characteristics of this infection have been identified as new data have been published.

Objective: To provide an updated description of the clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging findings of COVID-19 in pediatric patients.

Methodology: A search of the scientific literature was carried out, using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, on studies carried out in children under 19 years of age with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, 45 studies were included.

Conclusions: So far, the evidence shows that children and adolescents with COVID-19 have certain characteristics of their own in relation to adults. The disease is generally mild to moderate or may be asymptomatic, however, severe cases and complications have also been identified, requiring hospitalization or even intensive care. Although the clinical findings in children are diverse, with a large percentage being asymptomatic, fever and cough are the most reported symptoms. Common laboratory findings were normal white blood cells in most cases, followed by lymphocytosis/lymphopenia and elevated creatine kinase MB. The most frequent imaging features were normal images and sometimes typical ground-glass opacities on chest radiographs or tomography.