Nursing care of children with the Omicron variant

Abstract

Introduction: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been identified, one of which is Omicron, which has caused alarm due to its high transmission rate and mutations affecting the pediatric population. Objective: To carry out a review to identify the main clinical-epidemiological characteristics of pediatric patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529.1 and the nursing management protocols. Methods: A literature review was conducted according to PRISMA using keywords in Spanish and English in databases via PubMed, Cochrane library in the period December 2019 - January 2023 through gaps and MeSH descriptors. Results: Of the total articles found, 30 met the inclusion criteria and were categorized into: 1. COVID-19 Omicron variant epidemiology in pediatric population (n₌ 9), 2. Clinical manifestations and complications of pediatric patients with Omicron variant (n₌ 16), 3. Nursing protocol for the management of pediatric patients with Omicron variant (n₌5). No studies addressing the epidemiologic profile by age group were obtained. The main clinical manifestations and complications by age range were identified. To date, there are no nursing care protocols to address the needs of children with COVID-19. Conclusion: Protocols for the management of pediatric patients and the training of nursing staff on the real impact of the virus and its variants in children, with an impact on physical health, should be created and proposed.