Spectrum of COVID-19 Disease in Children: A Retrospective Analysis Comparing Wave 1 and Wave 2 from a Tertiary Hospital in South India

Abstract

Objective To describe COVID-19 in children and the differences between the two waves. Methods The electronic medical records of children younger than 16 y of age with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection between June 1st 2020 and May 31st 2021 at Christian Medical College, Vellore were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected on a predesigned case record form and analyzed. Results A total of 988 children were diagnosed with confirmed COVID-19 during the study period. Of these, there were 585 children diagnosed during the 1st wave (June 2020-Feb 2021) and 403 children during the 2nd wave (March 2021-May 2021). It was found that loose stools and rash were significantly more frequent during the 1st wave and fever, cough, coryza, heart rate and temperature were significantly more during the 2nd wave. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of requirement of oxygen therapy, need for ICU admission, duration of ICU stay or hospital stay, or severity of illness. Mortality was significantly higher during the 2nd wave (0.3% vs. 2%). ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic among children during the 1st and 2nd waves were similar in severity, though there was a higher mortality during the 2nd wave.

Severity and mortality associated with COVID-19 among children hospitalised in tertiary care centres in India: a cohort study

“…However, there are limited reports from these countries which describe the entire spectrum of severe COVID-19 and related outcomes, largely because of lack of longitudinal follow-up of children with this disease. 17 It becomes critical to identify such high risk groups who are at greater risk of severity of disease and/or mortality among children from these settings for optimal use of health resources more effectively.…”