Clinical characteristics of patients with a severe course of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection hospitalised in the Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Motol
Abstract
Objective: Although the SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) is highly contagious, paediatric patients represent only a small proportion of all diagnosed patients. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical characteristics of patients hospitalised with a serious course of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection at the Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Motol in Prague, Czech Republic.
Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study based on patients hospitalised with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection who were admitted to our department between 1st January 2020 and 1st April 2021. The anonymised data were obtained by medical record review.
Serious course criterion was defined as respiratory failure when at least oxygen therapy was needed. Results: A total of ten patients were hospitalised in our department during the monitored period.
The median age was 15 years (range 2-17), predominantly boys (60%). All patients had associated chronic conditions, the most common (60%) being overweight or obesity.
Conclusion: In our experience, comorbid children, especially ones who are obesity or overweight, are at risk of a serious course of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. This highlights the importance of vaccination for this part of paediatric population as well.