Epidemiology, characteristics, and outcomes of hospitalized children with COVID-19 in Oman: A multicenter cohort study

Al Yazidi, Laila S.; Al Hinai, Zaid; Al Waili, Badriya; Al Hashami, Hilal; Al Reesi, Mohammed; Al Othmani, Farhana; Al Noobi, Balqees; Al Tahir, Nuha; Elsidig, Nagi; Al Barwani, Lamya; Al Busaidi, Ibrahim; Al Jabri, Bushra; Al Qayoudhi, Abdullah; Al Maani, Amal; Al-Maskari, Nawal

Objectives To describe the epidemiology, clinical and laboratory features and outcome of hospitalized children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a Middle Eastern setting. Methods We describe a multicenter retrospective study of children hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 in 7 centres across Oman between February 2020 and July 2020. Results In total, 56 children < 14 years of age required hospitalization in seven Omani centres over five months (February – July 2020). Thirty-seven (68%) children were admitted with uncomplicated COVID-19, 13 (23%) with pneumonia and 5 (9%) with the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Infants constituted (23/56,41%) and around half of them (12/23,52%) were below 2-months of age. Fever was the most common symptom (46;82%) followed by respiratory symptoms in (33; 59%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (31;55%). Twenty-two (39%) children had underlying medical conditions; sickle cell disease in (7; 13%) followed by chronic respiratory disease (4; 7%) and severe neurological impairment (4; 7%). We found that leukocytosis, elevated inflammatory markers, and anemia for age were independently associated with intensive care admission. There were no mortalities related to admission with COVID-19 in this cohort. Conclusion Most of the children hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 had a mild course and a satisfactory outcome. Sickle cell disease is the commonest comorbidity associated with pediatric admission of COVID-19 in Oman.