COVID-19 in children: what did we learn from the first wave?

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affects adults, with children experiencing milder SARS-CoV-2 infections and lower mortality rates.
• Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome - Temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS) is a rare but severe late manifestation in children.
• Indirect pandemic impacts, including school closures and social isolation, pose long-term risks to child wellbeing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To consolidate knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 in children during the initial pandemic wave.
• To guide recognition of clinical signs, symptoms, and effective treatments for pediatric COVID-19 and PIMS-TS.
• To inform healthcare and service planning for children's wellbeing and identify at-risk populations.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of emerging evidence from the early phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
• Analysis of clinical presentations, epidemiological data, and outcomes in pediatric populations.
• Consolidation of information for clinical guidance and service development.

Main Results:

• Children generally experience less severe SARS-CoV-2 infections compared to adults.
• PIMS-TS represents a significant, though infrequent, severe complication in pediatric COVID-19 cases.
• The pandemic's indirect effects present substantial, long-term challenges to children's overall wellbeing.

Conclusions:

• Understanding pediatric SARS-CoV-2 and PIMS-TS is crucial for effective clinical management.
• Proactive planning for healthcare and essential services is necessary to mitigate pandemic's impact on children.
• Further research is vital to address knowledge gaps concerning children during the pandemic.