Clinical Characteristics of Children With SARS-CoV-2 Infection During the Third Wave of the Pandemic: Single Center Experience

Background To determine the clinical presentation and outcome of children infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the third wave of the pandemic in India. Method A review of hospital records was done at a tertiary care hospital, for children seen between 1 and 25 January, 2022. Result Out of total 112 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients, 17 were hospitalized and 95 were treated in the outpatient department. Among non-hospitalized children, fever was the commonest feature (72, 75.7%), followed by sneezing, and loss of appetite. The median (IQR) duration of symptoms was 2.5 (1.5) days. Among hospitalized children, 10 had co-morbidities and one-third required intensive care unit admission. MIS-C was diagnosed in four patients. Out of 4 mechanically ventilated patients, two had coronavirus disease (COVID) pneumonia. The mean (SD) length of hospital stay was 7.5 (2.5) days. One child with leukemia died during management. Conclusion During the third wave of the pandemic, most children had symptomatic illnesses, but recovery was fast among non-hospitalized children.