A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Initial Literature Regarding COVID-19 Symptoms in Children in the United States
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Insights
COVID-19 in children often presents with fever, gastrointestinal issues, respiratory symptoms, and rash. These findings aid in distinguishing pediatric COVID-19 from other common viral illnesses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Viral Illnesses in Children
- Epidemiology of COVID-19
Background:
- Understanding COVID-19 symptom presentation in children is crucial as it lags behind adult data.
- Pediatric COVID-19 cases exhibit a range of symptoms, necessitating clear diagnostic criteria.
Approach:
- A comprehensive literature search was performed across three electronic databases.
- Twenty-three publications on hospitalized children in the US were selected for review and meta-analysis.
Key Points:
- Fever was the predominant symptom in nearly all pediatric COVID-19 cases.
- Gastrointestinal, respiratory, oral symptoms, and rash were observed in over half of the children.
- Comorbidities were present in one-third of patients; half required intensive care, with 13.3% needing supplemental oxygen and 7.1% mechanical ventilation.
Conclusions:
- Significant clinical differences exist between COVID-19 symptoms in children versus adults and other common childhood viral infections.
- These findings can assist clinicians in differentiating pediatric COVID-19 from influenza, RSV, and gastroenteritis.
- The study highlights the severity spectrum of COVID-19 in hospitalized children.
Introduction:
COVID-19 symptom presentation among adults is mostly understood. However, understanding COVID-19 symptom presentation in children lags.
Method:
A literature search was conducted in three electronic databases. Twenty-three initial publications addressing COVID-19 symptom presentation among hospitalized children in the United States met the criteria for review and meta-analysis.
Results:
Fever, the most common symptom, was present in nearly all cases. Gastrointestinal, respiratory, oral symptoms, and rash occurred in over half of the cases. Disease severity assessment showed that comorbidities were present in one-third of patients; intensive care was needed for half of the patients, and supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation were needed by 13.3% and 7.1%, respectively.
Discussion:
The magnitude and significance of COVID-19 symptoms in children compared with those in adults and three common childhood viral illnesses: influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and gastroenteritis, are discussed. Important clinical differences were found that may help clinicians distinguish COVID-19 from other illnesses.
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