Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of COVID-19 in Pediatric Patients Admitted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi

Background: The information on the epidemiology, clinical spectrum, and outcome of COVID-19 in children of developing countries are limited. Objective: To identify the epidemiology, clinical characteristics of patients and outcome of COVID-19 in pediatric patients admitted to the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Study type, settings & duration: A retrospective study through medical records was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi from March to August 2020. Methodology: The medical record of sixty pediatric patients was used for this study. They all were positive SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay (RT-PCR) and were subsequently admitted at Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi, from March 2020-August 2020,and the data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: From a total of 415 suspected COVID-19 children, 60 were COVID-19 positive. Of whom, 42 (70%) children were female. About 24 (40%) children acquired COVID-19 infection through household contacts. Eight children (13.3%) were asymptomatic, whereas 35 (58.3%), 12 (20%), and 5 (8.3%) had a mild, moderate, and severe infection respectively. Respiratory symptoms were prevalent in 21 (40%) patients including pneumonia 5 (10%) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) 3 (6%). Malignancy 7 (11%) was the most prevalent underline comorbidity. Mortality was observed in 5 (8.3%) children. Most children, 52 (87%), were discharged after a four-day median hospital stay (range 2-8 days). Conclusion: Children with COVID-19 had mild illness. Severe illness was observed in young children and those with comorbidities. Most of the children had a good outcome with early discharge from hospital.