Clinical Profile and Outcome of Pediatric Covid-19 During Second Wave in Gujarat, India; A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Objective: Compared to the adults there is paucity of literature regarding manifestation of COVID-19 in children. We decided to study the clinical manifestation of COVID-19 in children during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Gujarat, India. Method: A cross-sectional survey study was designed for children with COVID-19 infection. An online survey form was designed with demographic details, details of clinical manifestations, investigations, treatment and recovery time. The survey was lled by 573 parents of which 539 were included in the study. Results: Of the 539 patients, 72.5 % of the patients presented in April(p<0.000). The child was the index case in only 7.4% of cases. There was a higher incidence of cases in boys (53.2%) (p<0.000) and in 0-5 years age group (39.5%) (p<0.00). The common presenting symptoms were fever (91.9%), cough/cold (52.4%), headache (19.5%), body-ache (23.6%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (21.1%). There was an age-wise variability in symptoms. Majority of the patients (98.2%) recovered with home treatment; only 1.8% required hospitalization. Complete resolution of symptoms occurred within a week in 78% of the patients(p<0.000). There was no mortality in our study. Conclusion: Children affected with COVID-19 during the second wave in Gujarat had mild disease. The child was index case in only a few cases and contracted COVID-19 from adult household contact. Most children recovered with home treatment and the course of the disease was short.