Clinical analysis of 89 children infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Lianyungang

Objective To analysis the clinical characteristics of 89 children infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Methods A total of 89 children who were treated in the Fourth People's Hospital of Lianyungang due to SARS-CoV-2 infection from March 4-22, 2022 were enrolled. Their baseline and clinical data were analyzed. Results There were 41 boys and 48 girls in the current study, including 40 asymptomatic infection cases, 44 slight cases and 5 common cases, with an age range of 6 months to 14 years old and an average age of (8.07±2.82) years old. All patients presented an epidemiological history, with characteristics of clustering onset. The main clinical manifestations were fever (28.09%), cough (16.85%) and running nose (4.50%). According to laboratory examination, no statistical difference was found in the counts of white blood cells and lymphocytes and the levels of C-reactive protein, calcitoninogen and D₂ aggregates among children with asymptomatic infection, slight and common types (P>0.05). C-reactive protein were significantly elevated in the light type group (P<0.05). The CT values of N and ORF genes in SARS-CoV-2 detection remarkably increased in the common type group (P<0.05). There were 8 case abnormal CT results, characterized in intrapulmonary lamellar, nodular or ground glass shadow on chest CT scan. Conclusions SARS-CoV-2 infection in children has clustering onset, and are mainly characterized in asymptomatic infection and mild symptoms, with a good prognosis for immediate future. C-reactive protein and the CT values of N and ORF genes in SARS-CoV-2 detection can be used as experimental indicators for early determination of disease progression and prognosis.