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Clinical Profile and Outcome of COVID-19 Among Immunocompromised Children

Sunil Kumar Rao1, Ashutosh Kumar2, Rajniti Prasad2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, IMS-BHU, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. 10111drsunilrao21@gmail.com.

Indian Pediatrics
|July 28, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Children on immunosuppressant medication face a nearly threefold increased risk of coronavirus disease-19 infection. Most cases presented with asymptomatic or mild symptoms, often gastrointestinal, without treatment changes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Immunocompromised children are a vulnerable population during pandemics.
  • Understanding coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) impact in this group is crucial for clinical management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the clinical characteristics, infection risk, and outcomes of COVID-19 in immunocompromised children.
  • To identify specific risk factors associated with COVID-19 infection in this pediatric cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study design.
  • Analysis of clinical data from immunocompromised children diagnosed with COVID-19.
  • Statistical evaluation of infection risk and disease manifestation.

Main Results:

  • Children on immunosuppressant medication had a 2.89 times higher risk of COVID-19 infection (P=0.01).
  • Disease presentation was frequently asymptomatic (P=0.01) or mild.
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms were predominant (P=0.02).
  • Immunosuppressive treatment regimens were generally maintained without alteration.

Conclusions:

  • Immunosuppression significantly elevates COVID-19 infection risk in children.
  • COVID-19 in immunocompromised children often presents with mild or asymptomatic disease, predominantly with GI symptoms.
  • Clinical management can often continue without interrupting immunosuppressive therapy.

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