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SARS-CoV-2 in Infants: Clinical Patterns, Laboratory Findings, and Implications for Pediatric Care in Viral Outbreaks

Marwh G Aldriwesh1,2,3, Norah F Abukhalid1,2,3, Sarah M Alotaibi1,2,3

  • 1Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Clinical Medicine Insights. Pediatrics
|March 13, 2026
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 in infants is generally mild, but younger infants (under 6 months) show increased vulnerability. This study highlights age-specific differences in symptoms and lab findings, emphasizing tailored care for pediatric COVID-19 patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Viral pathogenesis in infants
  • Public health and epidemiology

Background:

  • COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) has significantly impacted global healthcare systems.
  • While adult COVID-19 presentations are documented, data on infant infections, especially by age group, remain limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and outcomes of infants diagnosed with COVID-19.
  • To differentiate between infants aged 6 months or younger and those older than 6 months.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary pediatric hospital in Saudi Arabia.
  • Electronic medical records of 388 infants with confirmed COVID-19 (March 2020-December 2022) were analyzed.
  • Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and outcome data were compared between infants aged ⩽6 months and >6 months.

Main Results:

  • Infants aged ⩽6 months constituted 54.6% of the cohort. Fever, cough, and rhinorrhea were common symptoms.
  • Diarrhea was more frequent in infants >6 months (58.6% vs. 41.4%).
  • White blood cell abnormalities varied by age, with leukopenia in younger infants and leukocytosis in older infants. Mortality was low (1.03%), affecting primarily infants ⩽3 months with comorbidities.

Conclusions:

  • SARS-CoV-2 infection in infants is typically mild with low mortality.
  • Infants aged ⩽6 months exhibited greater clinical vulnerability compared to older infants.
  • Findings support age-specific risk assessment and management strategies for pediatric COVID-19 cases.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19CoronavirusSARS-CoV-2Saudi Arabiainfantsmortalitypediatrics

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