[ORGANIZATION OF MEDICAL CARE FOR CHILDREN WITH A NEW CORONAVIRUS INFECTION IN PATIENT CONDITIONS ON THE EXAMPLE OF...

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted global health, including pediatric populations.
• Establishing dedicated pediatric COVID-19 treatment centers was crucial for managing the influx of cases.
• Understanding the clinical course and outcomes in children is vital for effective healthcare strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the operational data and patient outcomes of Moscow's largest pediatric COVID-19 center.
• To describe the characteristics and management of hospitalized children, neonates, and those requiring rehabilitation.
• To assess the severity and mortality rates associated with COVID-19 in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of patient data from March to November 2020.
• Inclusion criteria: hospitalized patients with suspected/confirmed COVID-19, neonates, and children undergoing rehabilitation.
• Data collection focused on demographics, diagnosis confirmation, severity of illness, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mortality.

Main Results:

• The center treated 1,876 children with confirmed COVID-19 in 2020.
• 58 children (3%) required intensive care, with 25% of those being adolescents (11-18 years).
• 18 newborns were diagnosed with COVID-19, and 45 children in a rehabilitation program also contracted the virus. No deaths were reported among pediatric COVID-19 patients.

Conclusions:

• The children's COVID-19 center effectively managed a substantial number of pediatric cases.
• While most pediatric COVID-19 cases were mild, a small percentage required intensive care.
• The study highlights the importance of specialized pediatric care during pandemics, with no reported fatalities in this cohort.