Characteristics and Management of Children with COVID-19 in Turkey

• Main Authors: Burcu Ceylan Cura Yayla, Yasemin Özsürekçi, Kübra Aykaç, Pembe Derin Oygar, Sibel Laçinel Gürlevik, Sare İlbay, Musa Gürel Kukul, Sevilay Karahan, Ali Bülent Cengiz, Mehmet Ceyhan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Galenos Publishing House 2020-11-01
• Series: Balkan Medical Journal
• Subjects: covid-19; children; favipiravir; refugees; turkey
• Online Access: http://www.balkanmedicaljournal.org/text.php?lang=en&id=2252

Aims: Limited data about disease management strategies are available for pediatric patients with coronavirus disease-2019, particularly in Turkey. This study aimed to share the data on patients aged under 18 years in our country to be beneficial for understanding the disease course in children. Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records of pediatric patients aged under 18 years who were confirmed as coronavirus disease-2019 between March 11, and June 23, 2020, and were admitted to our hospitals was conducted. Results: A total of 220 pediatric patients with coronavirus disease-2019 were evaluated, of which 48.2% were boys, with a median age of 10 years, and 9.5% had underlying diseases. Patients were classified according to severity, with the percentages of asymptomatic, mild, moderate, and critical/severe cases determined to be 25.5%, 45%, 26.8%, and 2.7%, respectively. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was required in two patients (0.9%) and mechanical ventilation in three (1.4%). Targeted therapies were used in six patients (2.7%), with hydroxychloroquine being the most commonly used agent either alone (one patient) or in combination with favipiravir (five patients). Two patients (0.9%) died, and nine (4.1%) were still hospitalized during the study period. Conclusion: Although the disease course of coronavirus disease-2019 seems to be mild in children, critical illness is significant, and the treatment strategy primarily should consist of supportive care according to our preliminary observations.