The changing clinical presentation of COVID-19 in children during the course of the pandemic.
Details
State: Public
Version: Final published version
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Serval ID
serval:BIB_C426A3991F27
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
The changing clinical presentation of COVID-19 in children during the course of the pandemic.
Journal
Acta paediatrica
Working group(s)
Swiss Paediatric Surveillance Unit (SPSU)
Contributor(s)
Barbey F., Cachat F., Dülli L., Fluri S., Gebauer M., Grupe S., Jochumsen U., Kellner E., Kerr U., Laube G., Laubscher B., Malzacher A., Dougall J.M., Minocchieri S., Muehlethaler V., Niederer A., Pittet A., Relly C., Russo M., Stollar F., Wörner A., Zeller J.
ISSN
1651-2227 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0803-5253
Publication state
Published
Issued date
04/2024
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
113
Number
4
Pages
771-777
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article
Publication Status: ppublish
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
To investigate the evolution of clinical symptoms of COVID-19 in children throughout the pandemic.
In this national prospective surveillance study, symptoms in children hospitalised with COVID-19 were collected from all paediatric hospitals in Switzerland between March 2020 and March 2023. Data was analysed across four time periods, according to the predominantly circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant: T1 (wild-type), T2 (Alpha), T3 (Delta) and T4 (Omicron), as well as by age group.
The study included 1323 children. The proportion of children admitted to an intensive care unit remained stable throughout the pandemic. However, the pattern and frequency of clinical manifestations changed over time. Respiratory symptoms were less prevalent during T1 (wild-type), fever during T2 (Alpha) and rash during T4 (Omicron). In contrast, fever and neurological symptoms were more prevalent during T4 (Omicron). Newly described symptoms during T4 (Omicron) included conjunctivitis, laryngotracheitis and seizures. Fever was more prevalent among neonates and infants whereas respiratory symptoms were more common among infants. Gastrointestinal symptoms were more frequent among toddlers, while both toddlers and school-aged children presented with neurological symptoms more often than other age groups.
Continuous surveillance is required to detect changes in manifestations and there by be prepared for the optimal management of complications in children with COVID-19.
In this national prospective surveillance study, symptoms in children hospitalised with COVID-19 were collected from all paediatric hospitals in Switzerland between March 2020 and March 2023. Data was analysed across four time periods, according to the predominantly circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant: T1 (wild-type), T2 (Alpha), T3 (Delta) and T4 (Omicron), as well as by age group.
The study included 1323 children. The proportion of children admitted to an intensive care unit remained stable throughout the pandemic. However, the pattern and frequency of clinical manifestations changed over time. Respiratory symptoms were less prevalent during T1 (wild-type), fever during T2 (Alpha) and rash during T4 (Omicron). In contrast, fever and neurological symptoms were more prevalent during T4 (Omicron). Newly described symptoms during T4 (Omicron) included conjunctivitis, laryngotracheitis and seizures. Fever was more prevalent among neonates and infants whereas respiratory symptoms were more common among infants. Gastrointestinal symptoms were more frequent among toddlers, while both toddlers and school-aged children presented with neurological symptoms more often than other age groups.
Continuous surveillance is required to detect changes in manifestations and there by be prepared for the optimal management of complications in children with COVID-19.
Keywords
Infant, Infant, Newborn, Child, Humans, COVID-19/epidemiology, SARS-CoV-2, Pandemics, Prospective Studies, Fever/etiology, Alpha, Delta, Omicron, gastrointestinal, rash, seizure, variants
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
21/12/2023 16:23
Last modification date
26/03/2024 8:10
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