The different clinical characteristics of corona virus disease cases between children and their families in China – the character of children with COVID-19

ABSTRACT

This study aims to analyze the different clinical characteristics between children and their families infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Clinical data from nine children and their 14 families were collected, including general status, clinical, laboratory test, and imaging characteristics. All the children were detected positive result after their families onset. Three children had fever (22.2%) or cough (11.2%) symptoms and six (66.7%) children had no symptom. Among the 14 adult patients, the major symptoms included fever (57.1%), cough (35.7%), chest tightness/pain (21.4%), fatigue (21.4%) and sore throat (7.1%). Nearly 70% of the patients had normal (71.4%) or decreased (28.6%) white blood cell counts, and 50% (7/14) had lymphocytopenia. There were 10 adults (71.4%) showed abnormal imaging. The main manifestations were pulmonary consolidation (70%), nodular shadow (50%), and ground glass opacity (50%). Five discharged children were admitted again because their stool showed positive result in SARS-CoV-2 PCR. COVID-19 in children is mainly caused by family transmission, and their symptoms are mild and prognosis is better than adult. However, their PCR result in stool showed longer time than their families. Because of the mild or asymptomatic clinical process, it is difficult to recognize early for pediatrician and public health staff.

KEYWORDS:

• Coronavirus
• severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
• clinical characteristics
• corona virus diseases-19 (COVID-19)
• children

Acknowledgements

We thank all patients involved in the study. Dr Zhang and Gai had full access to all the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Dr Su Liang and Xiang Ma contributed equally. Concept and design done by Gai and Zhang. Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data done by Ma, Han, Bian. Drafting of the manuscript done by Ma, Su. Statistical analysis done by Li, Sun, Liu, Yang. Obtained funding done by Ma. Administrative, technical, or material support done by Zhang. Supervision done by Zhang.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Jinan Science and Technology Bureau [grant number 201907032]. The funders had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.