Clinical profile and outcome of suspect pediatric COVID-19 patients: Experience from a COVID hospital

Introduction: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has given clinical criteria for suspecting COVID-19 in the Indian population and admissions to hospitals have been based on the above criteria. Aim - To study the clinical profile and outcomes of children suspected to have COVID-19 infection (based on ICMR criteria) admitted to a designated COVID hospital of North India. Methods: This was an observational study done in a COVID hospital of North India from April to June 2020. All children 1 month of age) occurring in the COVID suspect ward during the study period, only 1 patient with a positive history of contact, was found to be COVID positive. The mean age of presentation was 10.27 years (Range 0.8-17; SD 7.83). Four children (4/14 = 28.5%) children were admitted on the basis of having symptoms of SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory infection). One patient took leave against medical advice (LAMA) after his RT-PCR report came negative. Conclusion: The majority of children admitted as per the testing criteria were found to be COVID negative.