SARS-CoV-2 infection in children requiring hospitalization: the experience of Navarra, Spain

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 in children, or pediatric COVID-19, initially was described as an acute respiratory syndrome similar to the adult presentation but with less severe manifestations. Methods: We describe the clinical characteristics, disease presentation, treatments and outcomes of all pediatric cases with COVID-19 admitted to the reference hospitals in Navarra, Spain during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak (February–May 2020). Results: We found a low number of hospitalized cases in infants and children compared to adults with a hospitalization ratio of 1:180. Most of these hospitalized cases did not suffer from severe disease. Over 80% of infections reported household contacts, and the mother was the known-contact in 83% of these cases. 72% of hospitalized cases were previously healthy children. We describe how symptoms in pediatric cases are nonspecific and how COVID-19 can be presented with a wide range and variety of symptoms. Respiratory symptoms are not always present, and severe neurological and cardiac features can occur in previously healthy children. Conclusion: Epidemiological description and case reports will be key to a better recognition and to adequate treatment of pediatric patients with COVID-19.