Characteristics of pneumonia in children with suspected/confirmed COVID-19

Abstract

Background The most common COVID-19 infection clinical fea[1]tures in pediatric patients are similar to those of other pulmonary diseases, i.e., fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Information about the characteristics of coinfection and superinfection in COVID-19 cases can reduce misdiagnosis and differentiate CO[1]VID-19 from other pulmonary infections. Objective To observe the characteristics of pneumonia in children with suspected/confirmed COVID-19.Methods This descriptive study used medical record data of children hospitalized from 1 January 2020 - 31 January 2021 to describe the characteristics of pneumonia in suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases in Haji Adam Malik Hospital, Medan, North Sumatera. Pneumonia-related findings, such as clinical symptoms, chest X-ray, and blood test results, were collected. Results There were 27 confirmed and 34 suspected COVID-19 children. Most of them were aged 6-8 years. Pneumonia was significantly associated with COVID-19. In confirmed COVID-19 cases, fever persisted after 3 days, with cough and shortness of breath. Patients did not have flu symptoms, but had below normal SpO2 (81-90%). The occurrence of lung rhonchi was significant in confirmed COVID-19 group. Chest X-ray results showed lung opacity in all confirmed COVID-19 patients. Mean white blood cell (WBC) count was significantly lower in COVID-19 confirmed (3.49x103/µL) vs. suspected group (17.9 x103/µL) (P=0.011). Mean CRP was significantly higher in COVID-19 confirmed (26.5 mg/L) vs. suspected group (4 mg/L). Conclusion Pneumonia with confirmed COVID-19 cases present with longer fever and lower SpO2. Patients are presented with lung ronchi, had lower WBCcount, and higher CRP. Chest X-ray shows opacity and consolidation.