Clinical Features of COVID-19 in Children

In early December, pneumonia cases of unknown origin and on January 7, 2020, these cases were declared to be caused by a novel beta-coronavirus according to viral genome sequencing on 11 February 2020.Coronaviruses are enveloped, single strand RNA viruses that have been known to have ability to mutate rapidly, alter tissue tropism and adjust different epidemiological situations. As of end of April, 122.392 with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 have been detected in Turkey, of whom 3.258 have died. From beginning of the epidemic COVID 19, children seem to be less affected than adults. Therefore, there are limited data regarding clinical features of COVID 19 in children. The majority of children had a history of family cluster. The most common symptoms were fever and cough. Previous data suggest that nearly half of patients are afebrile at the onset of disease.Hospitalization and PICU admission rates were lower than adults. However, PICU admission can be necessitated in children with severe disease. Infants particularly under the age of 12 months, were more likely to develop severe disease. In children, milder and asymptomatic cases can be challenging and can play a role in transmitting. Clinicians should test children in particular, having a history of family cluster even they are asymptomatic or presenting with mild symptoms.