Practical approach to COVID-19: an Egyptian pediatric consensus

Mostafa, Abla S.; Abdalbaky, Ashraf; Fouda, E. M.; Shaaban, Hala H.; Elnady, Hala G.; Hassab-Allah, Magda; Rashad, Mohamed M.; El Attar, Mona M.; Alfishawy, Mostafa; Hussien, Shahenaz M.; Hamed, Tarek; Hamed, Dina H.; Sarhan, Dina T.

BACKGROUND: Outbreak of a novel corona virus was reported in China on December 2019. Sooner, a global spread was reported and WHO announced a public health emergency of international concern and then declared it as a pandemic. Egypt announced the first case on February 14, 2020, and since that time, cases are increasing. MAIN BODY: There is increasing need to simplify the practical approach for pediatricians and other health care workers in a step wise manner; how to deal with COVID-19 cases, how to care for the newborn babies as regards to breastfeeding, and how to ensure safety of health care workers assess their risk of infection and management accordingly. A national practical approach guideline was prepared including case definition, diagnosis, and management of pediatric COVID-19 suspected and confirmed cases in an algorithmic pattern. CONCLUSION: Up to the current knowledge, this is a simple and practical guidance for clinical management of children during the current pandemic.