Clinical management of COVID-19 paediatric cases

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses present in different species of animals, which can infect humans, causing epidemics and pandemics. On January 9^th, 2020, a new virus was announced as the cause of an outbreak of severe pneumonia in Wuhan, China. On March 11^th, WHO declared the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the disease was called COVID-19. The virus is transmitted by droplets, contact and airborne during aerosol-generating procedures. In almost all pediatric cases a household contact was the source of infection. Unlike adults, the disease in children has a mild course, even in those under one year of age. The main symptoms are fever, dry or productive cough, headache, general discomfort, and shortness of breath, which is a sign of severity. The incubation period is 1-12.5 days (media 5-6 days). The most affected age group are school children. The disease may present as a mild acute upper airway infection, or as pneumonia. Very few cases progress to severe pneumonia and other complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, shock and multiorgan failure. There is not yet a specific antiviral treatment approved for use in children. This document aims to guide the management of suspected or confirmed pediatric patients of COVID-19.