Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 is a global pandemic. Covid-19 has spread around Bangladesh and children are also being infected with comparatively fewer symptoms and lower case-fatality rates. Objectives: To assess the clinical profile, disease severity, presence of co-morbidities and outcome of pediatric COVID-19 patients. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the fever clinic and the Department of Pediatrics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). Data were collected from the confirmed cases by using a structured questionnaire by face to face interview and also over telephone at 1 st visit and at 2 nd and 8 th week of disease course. Collected data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. Result: Among 2091 suspected COVID 19 cases attending fever clinic and department of Pediatrics, 462 (22.09%) were real time polymerized chain reaction (RT PCR) COVID 19 positive. Of them 377 (81.60%) responded to the questionnaire and subsequent follow up. Highest numbers of cases were found in June 2020. More than 60% of cases were within the age group of 10 to 18 years and 3.44% were infants. Male: female ratio was 1.04:1. Associated co-morbid conditions were present in 21.48% patients. Fever was the most common (72.67%) clinical feature followed by others. Incidences of severe and critical illness were more in older children. Most of the moderate cases and all of the severe and critical COVID cases were managed in the inpatient department including Pediatric intensive care unit. Among them, 100% required oxygen therapy, 72.41% needed oral or IV steroids, 8.6% and 6.9% needed intravenous immunoglobulin and biological agents (Tocilizumab) respectively. Seventeen patients (4.5%) recovered with some complications. Conclusions: Among suspected cases 22% were RT-PCR positive. Majorities were in the older age group and most of the moderate and all the severe and critical cases also belonged to older age group. Most of the cases (94.42%) recovered without complication and 4.5% recovered with some complications. Mortality was 1.06%.

Background: Children are generally at low risk of infection and data on COVID-19 in children are scarce. This study was undertaken to document data from a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh on the incidence, presentation and immediate outcome of COVID-19 in children. Methodology: It was a crosssectional study conducted in the fever clinic and the department of Pediatrics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) over a period of one year from July 2020 to June 2021. All the RT-PCR positive pediatric cases (1 month to 18 years) were enrolled. Data were collected by a structured, predesigned and pre-tested questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software 2010. Frequency, percentage and chi-square tests were done for statistical analysis. Result: Among 8203 suspected pediatric COVID-19 cases, 850 (10.36%) was RT PCR positive. The highest number of RT-PCR positive COVID-19 cases was found in April 2021. More than 63% of cases were in the age group of 10 to 18 years. Male: female ratio was 0.97:1. Fever was the most common (75.9%) presenting feature followed by breathing difficulty and chest pain in 9.6% and 7% of patients respectively. Mild infection group was predominant (56.7%). Among the symptomatic cases, 16.7% were hospitalized. Oxygen inhalation and bronchodilators were needed in 75% of hospitalized patients. All the severe and critical cases were managed in the inpatient department and in pediatric PICU when indicated. Most of the patients (99.4%) improved with or without any complication. Four critically ill patients (0.75%) developed multi-organ dysfunction and expired in PICU. Conclusion: The majority of COVID-19 cases belonged to the older age group. More than 75% cases were symptomatic. History of contact was present in 78% cases. More than 99% children recovered with or without sequelae and 0.8% children with pre-existing co-morbidities expired.

WHO declared Corona Virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a public health emergency on the 30th of January 2020. Soon afterward, COVID-19 cases started to emerge from all parts of the world. The state of Qatar was extremely vigilant from the very outset. Special measures were introduced immediately to restrict the influx of people from high-risk countries such as China and Iran. The Ministry of public health (MOPH), Qatar started preparing for an impending pandemic in the meantime. The first cluster of COVID-19 positive cases was declared on March the 11th 2019. A total of 238 cases were declared positive on this day. It raised the alarm to roll over all those preparations on the ground into practice