Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 21, 2025
Nasal Brushing Sampling and Processing Using Digital High Speed Ciliary Videomicroscopy – Adaptation for the COVID-19 Pandemic
Published on: November 7, 2020
COVID-19 and Co-infection in Children: The Indian Perspectives
Dibyendu Raychaudhuri1, Mihir Sarkar1, Aniket Roy1
1Department of Pediatrics, Medical College, Kolkata-73, India.
Insights
Pediatric COVID-19 patients with co-infections experience higher morbidity. Key predictors include infection site, elevated neutrophils, lymphopenia, high CRP, and hyperferritinemia, highlighting the need for early detection and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
- Microbiology
Background:
- Assessing co-infections in pediatric COVID-19 is crucial for understanding disease impact.
- Limited data exists on co-infections in children with COVID-19.
- This study addresses the spectrum and predictors of co-infections in pediatric COVID-19.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the spectrum of co-infections in pediatric COVID-19 patients.
- To identify clinical and laboratory parameters predicting co-infection.
- To inform early detection and treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study (June-December 2020).
- Included pediatric patients (1 month-12 years) with RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19.
- Compared patients with co-infection (Group A) to those with moderate-severe disease without co-infection (Group B).
- Microbiological examination within 48h of admission for Group A.
Main Results:
- 15.03% of pediatric COVID-19 patients had co-infections.
- Staphylococcus aureus dominated bacterial co-infections; Scrub typhus was most prevalent serologically.
- Co-infected children showed higher morbidity and need for supportive care.
- Predictors included infection site, Neutrophil count ≥10×10^9/L, lymphopenia, CRP >100 mg/dL, and hyperferritinemia.
Conclusions:
- Co-infections significantly impact prognosis in pediatric COVID-19.
- Early detection and prompt, appropriate treatment of co-infections are critical.
- Identifying predictive factors aids in managing pediatric COVID-19 cases with co-infections.
Background And Objectives:
Assessing the co-infections with COVID-19 is crucial to delineate its true clinical impact. Pediatric information in this aspect is limited. Our study aims to analyze the spectrum of co-infections in pediatric COVID-19 patients and determine the clinical as well as laboratory parameters predicting co-infection.
Methodology:
In this prospective observational study conducted from June to December 2020 in a single tertiary care institution, data pertaining to demographic, illness and treatment-related variables were analyzed among two subsets of pediatric patients of age 1 month-12 years with RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection-Group A: those with confirmed co-infection and Group B: moderate to severe disease without co-infection. Among Group A, etiology of co-infection was characterized through relevant microbiological examination within 48 h admission.
Result:
Among our study population, 15.03% and 20.6% had co-infections and moderate to severe disease respectively. Among those with confirmed co-infection, 32.5%, 11.6% and 6.97% recorded blood culture, respiratory secretion and CSF growth, respectively, the picture being dominated by Methicillin resistant and sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Serum serology demonstrated Scrub typhus infection to be most prevalent. Concurrent respiratory viral infections were seen in 11.6%. Children with co-infection had significantly higher morbidity and need for supportive therapy. Predictors of co-infection were localization of infection, Neutrophil count ≥10×109, age-specific lymphopenia, CRP > 100 mg/dl and hyperferritinemia.
Conclusion:
Co-infections are an important factor prognosticating pediatric COVID infection. Their early detection, prompt and appropriate treatment is of paramount importance.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
01:08Prevalence and Incidence
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health...
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
01:24Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism