Clinical characteristics of children hospitalized for COVID-19.

Introduction: Most SARS-CoV-2 infections in the pediatric population are asymptomatic or with mild symptoms, with a minimal proportion of severe cases described as SARS-CoV-2-associated multi-system inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). The objective was to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of pediatric patients admitted with confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection from the beginning of the pandemic until May 2021.

Methods: Retrospective observational study of pediatric patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19, in a tertiary hospital. Epidemiological and clinical data, additional tests, treatments administered and evolution were collected.

Results: 30 patients were included, classified into 3 groups according to diagnosis: respiratory infection, MIS-C and compatible symptoms. The patients with pneumonia were associated with age older, comorbidities and lymphopenia. MIS-C were more serious patients, with marked laboratory involvement and greater admission to PICU. Most of these were secondary cases of contact in the family environment.

Discussion: The most frequent clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in children are mild-moderate respiratory with good evolution. MIS-C is another form of expression of SARS-CoV-2 infection of greater severity, but usually with good prognosis after early diagnosis and frequent PICU admission.