Signs of covid in kids
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Signs of COVID-19 in Children
Common Symptoms in Pediatric COVID-19 Cases
Fever and Cough
Fever and cough are the most frequently reported symptoms in children with COVID-19. Studies indicate that approximately 51% of pediatric patients experience fever, while around 37% to 55% report coughing1 3 5 6 7. These symptoms are generally milder compared to adults.
Fatigue and Myalgia
Fatigue and muscle pain (myalgia) are also common but less frequently reported symptoms in children. These symptoms are typically mild and resemble those of a common cold4.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea are less common but still notable. Vomiting has been reported in about 33% of cases, while diarrhea is observed in around 4% of pediatric patients3 7.
Asymptomatic Cases
A significant proportion of children with COVID-19 are asymptomatic. Studies show that between 17% to 20% of pediatric cases do not exhibit any symptoms3 6.
Radiological and Laboratory Findings
Ground-Glass Opacities
Radiological findings often include ground-glass opacities, which are observed in 32% to 53% of children undergoing chest CT scans1 3 5 6. These findings are also reported in asymptomatic patients.
Laboratory Findings
Common laboratory findings in children with COVID-19 include normal white blood cell counts, lymphopenia (low lymphocyte count), and elevated creatine kinase levels. These markers are generally non-specific but can help identify severe cases3 5 6.
Severe Cases and Complications
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
A rare but severe complication associated with COVID-19 in children is Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). This condition is characterized by symptoms such as fever, rash, conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal issues, and shock. MIS-C typically appears 2-4 weeks after acute COVID-19 infection and requires intensive care in many cases9.
Critical Illness in Infants
Infants under one year old are at a higher risk of severe illness. Critical cases account for about 14% of infections in this age group, with symptoms such as dyspnea (difficulty breathing) being more common3 7.
Conclusion
Children with COVID-19 generally experience milder symptoms compared to adults, with fever and cough being the most common. A significant number of pediatric cases are asymptomatic. While most children recover well, severe complications like MIS-C can occur, particularly in infants. Further research is needed to better understand the long-term effects and optimal management strategies for pediatric COVID-19.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.
Children with SARS-CoV-2 infection mostly experience mild respiratory symptoms, with limited data on therapies and potential preventive strategies.
Systematic Review
Very Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedHow Common is Long COVID in Children and Adolescents?
Long COVID in children and adolescents is uncertain due to study limitations and difficulty distinguishing between pandemic-associated and long-term symptoms.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedA systematic review and meta‐analysis of children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)
Pediatric COVID-19 patients may experience milder illness with atypical symptoms, rare lymphopenia, and high incidence of critical illness and vomiting symptoms.
Meta-AnalysisHighly CitedDistinct Characteristics of COVID-19 Infection in Children
COVID-19 in children has milder symptoms and a shorter incubation period than in adults, with no specific chemotherapeutic agents approved for children.
Systematic ReviewCOVID-19 in 7780 pediatric patients: A systematic review
Children diagnosed with COVID-19 have an overall excellent prognosis, with fever, cough, and patchy lesions being the most common symptoms.
Systematic Review
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedClinical Characteristics of Children With COVID-19: A Meta-Analysis
Children with COVID-19 have a lower risk of developing the disease and a milder disease than adults, but further investigations are needed to confirm these findings.
Meta-AnalysisHighly CitedSARS-COV-2 infection in children and newborns: a systematic review
SARS-CoV-2 affects children less severely than adults, with mainly nonspecific laboratory and radiology findings, but may help identify those who are severely ill.
Systematic ReviewRigorous JournalHighly CitedCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children and/or adolescents: a meta-analysis
Children and adolescents with COVID-19 tend to have mild symptoms and a good prognosis compared to adults.
Meta-AnalysisRigorous JournalHighly CitedCOVID-19–Associated Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children — United States, March–July 2020
COVID-19-associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has been reported in the United States, with a median duration of hospitalization of 6 days and a death rate of 1.8%.
Case ReportHighly CitedClinical manifestations of children with COVID‐19: A systematic review
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak is an unprecedented global public health challenge, leading to thousands of deaths every day worldwide. Despite the epidemiological importance, clinical patterns of children with COVID‐19 remain unclear. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical, laboratorial, and radiological characteristics of children with COVID‐19.
Systematic ReviewRigorous JournalHighly Cited