Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19 in Indian Children in the Initial Phase of the Pandemic

OBJECTIVE: To assess the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pediatric inpatients with COVID-19, early in the pandemic. METHODS: Clinical and laboratory profile and outcomes were studied for children (aged 1 month — 18 years) presenting between 1 April, 2020 and 20 May, 2020 with positive nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. RESULTS: 50 children (56% male) with median (IQR) age of 6 (2–12) years were included. Majority (56%) were from families belonging to Kuppuswamy upper lower socioeconomic class. 45 (90%) had positive household contact, and 33 (66%) had overcrowding at home. 29 (58%) children were asymptomatic while 20 (40%) had mild symptoms. Fever, cough, and sore throat were the most common symptoms. High C-reactive protein levels were seen in 15 (30%) children. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: The disease burden appears high in lower socio-economic group with majority having a positive household contact. Milder disease pattern in the pediatric age group is reiterated.