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Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses
Published on: November 10, 2023
Comparison of clinical severity and epidemiological spectrum between coronavirus disease 2019 and influenza in
Maria Pokorska-Śpiewak1,2, Ewa Talarek3,4, Jolanta Popielska3,4
1Department of Children's Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. mpspiewak@gmail.com.
Insights
COVID-19 in children is often mild or asymptomatic, with household contact being the main risk factor. Healthcare providers should also consider other infections, like influenza, in pediatric cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Limited data exists on COVID-19 clinical severity and epidemiology in European children.
- Understanding pediatric COVID-19 is crucial for public health management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical severity and epidemiological features of COVID-19 in children aged 0-18 years.
- To compare the clinical presentation of COVID-19 with other infections in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 319 children with suspected COVID-19 between February 1 and April 15, 2020.
- RT-PCR testing on nasopharyngeal swabs for COVID-19 confirmation.
- Clinical data collection including symptoms, disease course, and epidemiological links.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 was diagnosed in 4.7% of suspected pediatric cases (15/319).
- All confirmed pediatric cases had household contact with an infected relative.
- The majority of pediatric COVID-19 cases were asymptomatic (33.3%) or mild (60.0%), with fever and cough being common symptoms. Influenza was confirmed in 10% of COVID-19 negative children.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 in children typically presents with mild or asymptomatic illness.
- Household transmission is a significant risk factor for pediatric COVID-19.
- Differential diagnosis in children with suspected COVID-19 should include other respiratory infections.
Abstract:
Data on the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children are limited, and studies from Europe are scarce. We analyzed the clinical severity and epidemiologic aspects of COVID-19 in consecutive children aged 0-18 years, referred with a suspicion of COVID-19 between February 1, and April 15, 2020. RT-PCR on a nasopharyngeal swab was used to confirm COVID-19. 319 children met the criteria of a suspected case. COVID-19 was diagnosed in 15/319 (4.7%) patients (8 male; mean age 10.5 years). All of them had household contact with an infected relative. Five (33.3%) patients were asymptomatic. In 9/15 (60.0%) children, the course of the disease was mild, and in 1/15 (6.7%), it was moderate, with the following symptoms: fever (46.7%), cough (40%), diarrhea (20%), vomiting (13.3%), rhinitis (6.7%), and shortness of breath (6.7%). In the COVID-19-negative patients, other infections were confirmed, including influenza in 32/319 (10%). The clinical course of COVID-19 and influenza differed significantly based on the clinical presentation. In conclusion, the clinical course of COVID-19 in children is usually mild or asymptomatic. In children suspected of having COVID-19, other infections should not be overlooked. The main risk factor for COVID-19 in children is household contact with an infected relative.
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