Characteristics and clinical outcomes of adolescents infected by SARS-CoV-2: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE: To verify the COVID-19 clinical characteristics, associated comorbidities, and outcomes in adolescents. DATA SOURCE: This is a systematic review study based on articles published between 2020 and 2022 in the United States National Library of Medicine - PubMed (MedLine), Virtual Health Library – VHL (LILACS), Science Direct, Web of Science, and Scopus (Elsevier) databases. The study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, under No. CRD42022309108. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 1188 studies were identified. After applying the selection criteria, 13 articles were included. Prevalence was 25%; mild cases were predominant; and fever, cough, headache, anosmia, nasal congestion, and ageusia were frequent. Fever and cough were proportionally higher in hospitalized cases: 81 and 68%, respectively. Dyspnea (odds ratio [OR] 6.3; confidence interval 95%[CI] 2.8–14.3), fever (OR 3.8; 95%CI 2.0–7.4), and cough (OR 3.4; 95%CI 2.0–6.0) were associated with severe cases. Up to 28% required intensive care and 38% required mechanical ventilation. Pre-existing comorbidities increased the risk of hospitalization and death. Severe cases were associated with the risk of death (relative risk [RR] 4.6; 95%CI 2.8–7.5). The black, mixed, and indigenous races/skin colors represented risk groups, as well as residents of poorer regions. CONCLUSIONS: The review provided a better understanding of the disease profile and may favor the development of public policies, in addition to contributing to the current literature in the field of adolescent health.