Evaluation of Children Hospitalized for COVID-19

Objective: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, childhood data changes daily. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory features of hospitalized pediatric patients with COVID-19.Material and Methods: We retrospectively collected the medical records of hospitalized pediatric patients aged <18 years, diagnosed with COVID-19 between March 2020 and October 2021. Demographic characteristics, clinical features, and laboratory findings were recorded. The management and clinical course of the disease were also examined.Results: A total of 123 pediatric patients were included in the study. Sixty-eight (55.3%) were males, with a mean age of 95.94 & PLUSMN; 72.20 months. Comorbidity was present in 30 (24%) patients; asthma (n= 9, 7.3%) was the most common underlying condition. Length of hospital stay-in median range was 5.09 days (1-14 days). Thirty-two (26%) patients had severe disease, and five (4.1%) patients had PICU admission. C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin values were found to be higher in the severe disease group (p< 0.05), and no relationship was found with lymphopenia and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in terms of disease severity. Neutropenia was significant in patients younger than five years of age (p< 0.05).Conclusion:The rate of severe disease in hospitalized pediatric patients was not low. CRP and ferritin were essential in determining the prognosis. There was a tendency for neutropenia which was benign and transient in under five years old patients.