Distinct Characteristics of COVID-19 Infection in Children

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2, a member of the family coronaviridae, has triggered a lethal pandemic termed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Pediatric patients, mainly from families with a cluster of infection or a history of exposure to epidemic areas, get infected via direct contacts or air-borne droplets. Children (aged below 18 years) are susceptible to COVID-19, with an average incubation period of about 6.5 days. Most cases present asymptomatic or common cold symptoms such as fever, cough, and myalgia or fatigue, which is milder than adult patients. Besides, most abnormal laboratory and radiologic findings in children with COVID-19 are non-specific. Since no specific chemotherapeutic agents have been approved for children, timely preventive methods could effectively forestall the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. To date, mostly studied cases have been adults with COVID-19, whereas data on pediatrics patients remain poorly defined. We herein conducted a literature review for papers published in PubMed and medRxiv (preprints) between December 2019 and December 2020 that reported on pediatrics patients (aged below 18 years) with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. In this review, we summarized and discussed the pathogenesis, epidemiology, and clinical management of COVID-19 in pediatrics patients to improve our understanding of this new disease in children.

Serological prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody among children and young age (between age 2-17 years) group in India: An interim result from a large multi-centric population-based seroepidemiological study

“…As reported in the literature, a large proportion of children (50.9%) had asymptomatic COVID-19 infection. [11] In India, sero-prevalence among children and younger age group were estimated as a part of a larger nationwide survey on adult age group. The second nationwide sero-prevalence study done in August-September 2020 had reported 9.0% seropositive among 3,021 children aged 10-17 years.…”

“…As reported in the literature, a large proportion of children (50.9%) had asymptomatic COVID-19 infection. [11]…”

SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Structure of the Russian Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…It is known that immune processes occurring in childhood and old age differ significantly from each other. Children most often carry the illness in an asymptomatic form or as a respiratory infection (common cold) with nonspecific symptoms, such as fever, cough, myalgia, or fatigue [ 36 , 37 ]. In most cases, the illness is milder than in adults and most often it resolves well.…”

Coronavirus Disease in Children: A Single-Center Study from Western Saudi Arabia

“…The novel coronavirus affects males and females equally as well as all pediatric age groups; however, it seems that the younger age groups are more symptomatic [ 13 ]. The results of this study show a bimodal age presentation of the patients that presented to the International Medical Center, mainly between 1-3 years and 5-10 years of age.…”

“…Contrary to the findings of this study, lymphocytosis and leukocytosis were found to be evident among children with COVID-19 [ 16 ]. Serum inflammatory markers such as CRP were elevated in several studies [ 11 , 13 , 16 ]. Locally in Saudi Arabia, the study conducted by Al Harbi et al in the Western region found eosinopenia to be the most prevalent among their patient population.…”