Title : Epidemiological and clinical features of COVID-19 among the pediatric patients admitted in the Zamboanga City Medical Center and other facilities handling COVID patients
Abstract:
Introduction: Defining the epidemiological and clinical features of COVID in pediatric patients can aid in the control of spread and improve the curative rate.
Objectives: This study determined the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID confirmed children admitted at Zamboanga City Medical Center and other facilities handling COVID-19 patients.
Methodology: This is a descriptive study among RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 children, less than 18 years, who were admitted at ZCMC and other facilities handling COVID patients from March 2020 to September 2021. The outcome included the incidence and survival rates. The variables studied included demographic data, clinical status, clinical symptoms, complications, treatment done, and clinical outcome. Data entry was performed and was analyzed using counts or frequencies and percentages.
Results: A total of 2,025 patients were admitted to hospitals (n=141, 7%) and quarantine facilities (n=1884, 93%) within Zamboanga City. 72 out of the 141 respondents were admitted to Zamboanga City Medical Center, the apex tertiary hospital in the region. The mean age of the respondents was 9.94±5.78 years old.
Six hundred seventy-six (33.3%) were considered as direct contacts of index cases. Two hundred ninety- nine (14.76%) were symptomatic, with fever (66.1%) as the most common symptom. One hundred forty- one (6.9%) were admitted to hospitals, while the remaining 1,844 (91.05%) were admitted to quarantine facilities. Most patients (44.7%) were classified with moderate COVID. However, there were 23 (1.13%) deaths reported. Majority (66.7%) did not necessitate oxygen support. Nevertheless, 67.7% received IV antibiotics – most commonly Ceftriaxone (49, 52.17%) and Gentamycin (21, 22.34%).
Conclusion and Recommendation: While COVID-19 infection in the pediatric age group was generally mild with low mortality rates, infections in this age group should not be overlooked. With the emergence of more virulent variants and with many unvaccinated, the pediatric population continuous to be a vulnerable group that requires special attention.
