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COVID-19 infection in pediatric subjects: study of 36 cases in Conakry
Hugues Ghislain Atakla1,2, Mahugnon Maurel Ulrich Dénis Noudohounsi3, Aichat Yabo Salami4
1Neurology Department, University Hospital Center Hubert Koutoukou MAGA, Cotonou, Benin.
Insights
This study analyzed clinical features of COVID-19 in children in Conakry, finding fever and asthenia common, with 30.55% asymptomatic. Most children had normal chest CT scans and received standard treatments.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The clinical presentation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children can vary widely.
- Understanding these features is crucial for timely diagnosis and management, especially in resource-limited settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical and evolutionary characteristics of COVID-19 in children aged 0-18 years.
- To identify common symptoms, diagnostic findings, and treatments in pediatric COVID-19 cases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of children suspected of COVID-19 at a national hospital in Conakry.
- Inclusion criteria: positive RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2.
- Data collected from medical records and analyzed using STATA/SE software.
Main Results:
- The mean age of pediatric patients was 9.66 years, with a sex ratio of 1.25.
- Common symptoms included fever (58.33%) and asthenia (50%).
- 30.55% of children were asymptomatic, and 80.55% had normal thoracic CT scans.
Conclusions:
- SARS-CoV-2 infection in children presents with diverse clinical features, including a significant proportion of asymptomatic cases.
- Fever and asthenia are prevalent symptoms in symptomatic pediatric COVID-19 patients.
- The study highlights the importance of RT-PCR testing for diagnosis and the generally favorable outcomes observed in this pediatric cohort.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the main clinical and evolutionary features of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children aged 0-18 years who were suspected and diagnosed for COVID-19 during routine consultations in the pediatric ward of the Ignace Deen National Hospital in Conakry. This retrospective study targeted all children admitted to the Pediatrics Department during the study period and focused on children whose clinical examination and/or history indicated a suspicion of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Only children with a positive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test were included. Clinical and paraclinical data were rigorously analyzed. Anonymity and respect for ethical rules were the norm. Medical records were used as the data source and a questionnaire was developed for collection. The analysis was done using STATA/SE version 11.2 software. The mean age of the patients observed was 9.66±1.32 years, with a sex ratio of 1.25. The history of the patients found that 36.11 had already been in contact with a COVID-19 positive subject, of which 8 or 22 had close relatives treated for COVID-19 and 5 had been with classmates treated for COVID-19. Fever and physical asthenia, runny nose and throat pain were respectively found in 58.33%, 50% and 30.55% of patients with irritability in 25%. Asymptomatic children were 30.55%. The diagnosis was confirmed after a positive RT-PCR test. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan was normal in 80.55% of the children. They were given mostly azithromycin 15mg/kg, zinc and chloroquine sulfate 5mg/kg. The mean age of the patients observed was 9.66 years, with a sex ratio of 1.25. The history of the patients found that 36.11 had already been in contact with a COVID-19 positive subject, of which 8 or 22 had close relatives treated for COVID-19 and 5 had been with classmates treated for COVID-19. Fever and physical asthenia, runny nose and throat pain were respectively found in 58.33%, 50% and 30.55% of patients with irritability in 25%. Asymptomatic children were 30.55%. The diagnosis was confirmed after a positive RT-PCR test. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan was normal in 80.55% of the children. They were given mostly azithromycin 15mg/kg, zinc and chloroquine sulfate 5mg/kg.
