Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 24, 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 clinical features in primary care: COVIDPAP study]
Marta Carballal-Mariño1, Josep Vicent Balaguer-Martínez2, César García-Vera3
1Centro de Atención Primaria «Cerceda-Culleredo», A Coruña, España.
Insights
Pediatric COVID-19 is generally mild, with many asymptomatic cases and few hospitalizations. Household contact is the primary transmission route, suggesting school closures should be a last resort. A distinct clinical profile for pediatric COVID-19 was not identified.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Context:
- COVID-19 diagnosis tools became available in Spanish primary care in May 2020.
- Previous studies predominantly focused on hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
- Limited data existed on the community-based clinical presentation of pediatric COVID-19.
Purpose:
- To define the clinical characteristics of pediatric COVID-19 (ages 0-14) in the community setting in Spain.
- To analyze transmission patterns and symptom presentation across different age groups.
- To evaluate the severity and outcomes of pediatric COVID-19 cases.
Summary:
- A study of 10,021 pediatric COVID-19 cases in Spain revealed a predominantly mild disease course.
- Asymptomatic infection was common (43.2%), with rhinorrhea, fever, and headache being age-dependent symptoms.
- The household was the main transmission setting (64.9%), with minimal difference in incidence between school terms and holidays.
Impact:
- Findings indicate that pediatric COVID-19 is typically a mild illness with low hospitalization and mortality rates.
- Household transmission highlights the importance of community-level interventions.
- The results suggest that school closures should be considered a measure of last resort.
Objectives:
In Spain, the tools to diagnose COVID-19 were available in primary care from May 2020. Previously most studies described inpatients, and fever and cough were the most frequent symptoms. This study aims to define the clinical picture of the pediatric COVID-19 in the community.
Methods:
A descriptive and analytical observational study was performed including pediatric cases (0-14y) from 255 pediatricians, proportionally distributed to its population, from primary health centers in Spain, from 12th May 2020 to 30th April 2021. Diagnostics were made by PCR detection of viral RNA, rapid antigen detection test or positive IgG serology.
Results:
There were 10,021 positive children included, 48.4% women, mean age 8,04 ± 4.17 years. Infection was detected due to contact tracing (70.9%), compatible symptoms (18.8%). Household was the main source of transmission (64.9%), followed by school setting (10%) or unknown (9.9%). We did not find any significant differences in the incidence between holidays and school terms. 43.2% of the children were asymptomatic. Most frequent symptoms are rhinorrhea in < 2 y, fever in 3-8 y and headache in > 9 y. An exhaustive description of objective and subjective symptoms by age is made. 18 patients were hospitalized, one with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. There were no deaths.
Conclusions:
Pediatric COVID-19 is a mild disease, with a large number of asymptomatic cases, with very few hospital admissions and deaths. The main setting for transmission is the household, and school closures should be a last resource measure during the COVID-19 pandemic. A specific clinical picture of pediatric COVID-19 was not found.
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:30Primary Healthcare Services
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
01:19Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests