CLINICAL PROFILE AND OUTCOME OF PEDIATRIC COVID-19 DURING 3RD WAVE IN PATIENTS IN A GOVERNMENT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN SOUTH INDIA

ABSTRACT: Introduction: COVID-19 causes respiratory system involvement in adults, leading to pneumonia and severe acute respiratory syndrome in the most severe cases. In contrast, COVID-19 related infections are still poorly understood and are milder in children. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical profile and outcome in children infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the 3rd wave of covid 19 pandemic. Material and methods: This retrospective observational study was undertaken at a tertiary care paediatric teaching hospital in Southern India. Forty-five children with COVID-19 illness from 3 months to 12 years were assessed for clinical characteristics and presentation. Results: 45 children were COVID positive, were The highest number of cases in the 3 years and below age group (Table 1). There were 23 females (51.1%) and 22 males (48.9 %) in the study. Twenty four children had a positive contact history, while none had a positive travel history. In severity, nine (20 %) children were asymptomatic, while the rest, 36 (80 %), were symptomatic. Respiratory (51.1%), fever (13.3 %) and neurological (13.3 %) were the most frequently reported symptoms. Conclusion: In concurrence with many other studies in different geographical locations, the present study also showed that children exhibited milder and similar symptoms as previous waves. No adverse health outcomes were noted. Keywords: COVID -19, children, SARS-CoV-2 infection, third wave, Coronavirus infection