Clinical evolution of cases of COVID-19 infection in neopediatrics: a scoping review

Abstract

Objective: to map the knowledge about the clinical findings, treatment and outcome of newborns and children infected with COVID-19. Methods: a scoping review with search of eight databases and electronic search engine in April 2020. Results: the 12 studies analyzed showed that the main clinical findings in this population were nasal congestion, fever, respiratory distress, diarrhea, fatigue, dry cough, increased C-reactive protein, leukopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, elevated procalcitonin, bilateral ground-glass opacity, pulmonary consolidation, and pneumonia. Antivirals, respiratory support, immunomodulatory therapy, glucocorticoids, antibiotics and alpha interferon were used as treatment. The presence of a cure with hospital discharge is present in most cases. Final considerations: most patients required hospitalization, but it evolved to cure. This study provided a greater scientific basis by showing clinical findings, treatment, and outcomes in neopediatric patients with COVID-19.