Pediatric infected with 2019 coronavirus: A referral center study on 21 pediatrics in north of Iran

Background: COVID-19, a novel pneumonia associated with the 2019 coronavirus infected pneumonia suddenly broke out in the world. The aim of this study is to analyze and summarize the clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with COVID‐19. Patients and method: Twenty-one patients confirmed by clinical and laboratory findings from 20 February to 19 April, 2020 in North of Iran were included. Demography information, clinical, laboratory and radiological findings, and treatment strategies of patients were evaluated. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 13.0 software. Results: Body temperature was ≥38ºC in 11(52.4%) patients. Eleven (52/3%) patients had tachypnea and 4(19%) of them developed tachycardia. Six (30%) of patients suffered from a decrease in white blood cells. Also a decrease in creatine phosphokinase level was seen in 1(33%) of patients. Nine CT scans (42.85%) demonstrated a halo sign. Seven patients’ (33.33%) CT scans showed a patchy infiltration. Nine (42.85%) CT scans had bilateral crazy-paving pattern. 38.1% of patients were treated with chloroquine and oseltamivir. Four (19.04%) patients died and 17(80.95%) patients were discharged from the hospital. One of the patients who died suffered from acute respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusion: We found out that pediatrics, especially boys are more susceptible to COVID‐19 and it is more common in school-age and toddlers. Manifestations are milder than adults and severe cases associated with underlying disease. The effectiveness of medications used in the treatment of this disease need further study.