COVID-19 among children seeking primary paediatric care with signs of an acute infection.

Hoehl, Sebastian; Schneider, Felix; Eckrich, Martin; Gründler, Tim Ole; Jerkic, Pera Silvija; Lichtenstein, Geri; Melcher, Birgit; Melcher, Hansjörg; Moebus, Ralf; Mühlfeld, Barbara; Rieger, Ilonka; Seger-Fritz, Beate; Sgoll, Stefan; Walter, Christian; Werner, Sebastian; Herrmann, Eva; Berger, Annemarie; Ciesek, Sandra

AIM It can be challenging to distinguish COVID-19 in children from other common infections. We set out to determine the rate at which children consulting a primary care paediatrician with an acute infection are infected with SARS-CoV-2, and to compare distinct findings. METHOD In seven out-patient clinics, children 0 to 13 years with any new respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms and presumed infection, were invited to be tested for SARS-CoV-2. Factors that were correlated with testing positive were determined. Samples were collected from 25 January 2021 to 01 April 2021. RESULTS 783 children participated in the study (median age 3 years and 0 months, range 1 month to 12 years and 11 months). 358 were female (45.7%). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 19 (2.4%). The most common symptoms in children with as well as without detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA were rhinitis, fever, and cough. Known recent exposure to a case of COVID-19 was significantly correlated with testing positive, but symptoms or clinical findings were not. CONCLUSION COVID-19 among the children with symptoms of an acute infection was uncommon, and the clinical presentation did not differ significantly between children with and without evidence of an infection with SARS-CoV-2.