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.