CONSEQUENCES OF COVID-19 IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the first global pandemic of the 21-th century. At the beginning, COVID-19 infections were more common in adults then in children; however, in the following months, the number of pediatric infection cases increased significantly. As the pandemic evolved, it was soon evident that immune dysregulation inflicted by the virus, posed children at risk for their lives. This study aims to explore clinical and laboratory features of post SARS-CoV-2 infection in children hospitalized in the General pediatric Ward. Of the 87 children included in the study 48% of cases belonged to the age-group 0-2years old. The most common symptom was fever in 94% of cases. White blood cells were elevated in 56% of children. Increased inflammatory markers were C reactive protein, Fibrinogen, Ferritin, D-dimer, Platelets. Respiratory system was compromised in 86% of children. Children at any age may be infected with SARS-CoV-2. They suffer a less severe acute infection compared to adults, but the immune dysregulation that follows, pose them at risk of late inflammatory reactions that sometimes may be life-threatening.