Comparison of clinical and laboratory features and treatment options of 237 symptomatic and asymptomatic children infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey

Abstract

Since the first report of COVID-19 in December 2019, little is known about therapeutic usage of hydroxychloroquine in pediatric patients with COVID-19. We retrospectively retrieved data for SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive pediatric patients from 20 hospitals in 8 different cities in Turkey. We obtained patients' epidemiological, clinical, laboratory features and drugs used for treatment of COVID-19. 237 nasopharyngeal swab SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive children were included into the study from March 26 to June 20, 2020. The mean age of asymptomatic children (118±62 months) was found to be higher than that of symptomatic children (89±69 months). Symptomatic children had a significantly lower mean lymphocyte count and higher mean CRP, D-dimer value, procalcitonin and LDH than asymptomatic children in univariate analysis. Out of 156 children, 78 (50%) children received Hydroxychloroquine-containing regimen, 15 of them were treated with hydroxychloroquine + azithromycin + oseltamivir, 44 were treated with hydroxychloroquine + azithromycin and 21 were only treated with hydroxychloroquine. Among the 156 patients who received medical treatment, 90 (58%) patients had pre and/or post-treatment ECG performed upon them. However, none of them either reported ECG abnormalities or a need for discontinuation of hydroxychloroquine because of adverse drug reaction.