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COVID‐19 among children seeking primary paediatric care with signs of an acute infection
Author(s) -
Hoehl Sebastian,
Schneider Felix,
Eckrich Martin,
Gründler Tim Ole,
Jerkic Pera Silvija,
Lichtenstein Geri,
Melcher Birgit,
Melcher Hansjörg,
Moebus Ralf,
Mühlfeld Barbara,
Rieger Ilonka,
SegerFritz Beate,
Sgoll Stefan,
Walter Christian,
Werner Sebastian,
Herrmann Eva,
Berger Annemarie,
Ciesek Sandra
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.16101
Subject(s) - medicine , pediatrics , covid-19 , primary care , el niño , respiratory infection , respiratory tract infections , respiratory system , disease , family medicine , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Aim It can be challenging to distinguish COVID‐19 in children from other common infections. We set out to determine the rate at which children consulting a primary care paediatrician with an acute infection are infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 and to compare distinct findings. Method In seven out‐patient clinics, children aged 0–13 years with any new respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms and presumed infection were invited to be tested for SARS‐CoV‐2. Factors that were correlated with testing positive were determined. Samples were collected from 25 January 2021 to 01 April 2021. Results Seven hundred and eighty‐three children participated in the study (median age 3 years and 0 months, range 1 month to 12 years and 11 months). Three hundred and fifty‐eight were female (45.7%). SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA was detected in 19 (2.4%). The most common symptoms in children with as well as without detectable SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA were rhinitis, fever and cough. Known recent exposure to a case of COVID‐19 was significantly correlated with testing positive, but symptoms or clinical findings were not. Conclusion COVID‐19 among the children with symptoms of an acute infection was uncommon, and the clinical presentation did not differ significantly between children with and without evidence of an infection with SARS‐CoV‐2.