Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pediatric emergency. Presentation and disposition

Jamjoom, Roaa S.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the demographics and common presentations of pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 patients in the emergency department (ED), as well as their contact with positive COVID-19 cases, return visits, and patients’ disposition from the ED. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of confirmed cases of COVID-19 presenting to the Pediatric ED from March 2020 until June 2020 was conducted. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were identified, with a higher frequency of male patients. Forty-four (85%) patients were discharged from the ED, and 8 (15%) required admission. Three patients were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit and 2 died, resulting in a mortality rate of 3.8%. The most frequent presentations were fever (85%), cough (48%), and diarrhea (23%). CONCLUSION: In our study, the second most affected system after the respiratory tract was the gastrointestinal tract, which was also the system responsible for the most return visits due to diarrhea. Coronavirus disease 2019 poses clinical and operational challenges given its variable clinical presentations.