COVID-19 in children at Strasbourg University Hospital: A retrospective study of the first 2 months of the epidemic

Lavaine, O.; Spizzo, J.; Arbitre, C.; Muller, J.; Kuhn, P.; Laugel, V.; Tchomakov, D.

Context: The emergence and rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have shaken the planet, both in terms of health and economical aspects, constituting a real challenge for the scientific community. Problem: At the time of the arrival of the epidemic in France, there were limited data regarding how COVID-19 could affect children. A lesser severity compared with adults was described, but knowledge concerning clinical forms and screening strategies was missing. Methodology: In this retrospective and non-interventional epidemiological study, we aimed to describe the epidemiology and the clinical features of COVID-19 pediatric disease in the first university hospital affected by the epidemic in France. We included all underage patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays on nasopharyngeal smears performed between February 25, 2020 and April 30, 2020. Results: The presence of fever and respiratory signs was frequent (> 50%), as was the presence of general or digestive signs, but patients were also frequently asymptomatic, making the discovery of a positive smear fortuitous. There were no deaths in our cohort. Conclusion: No patient with a serious form of COVID-19 was treated in the pediatrics departments of Strasbourg University Hospital during the first 2 months of the epidemic. Diagnostic strategies have evolved over the course of the epidemic, ranging from exploring relevant symptoms to systematic screening.