Abstract
Background
To assess the overall prevalence of clinical signs, symptoms, and radiological findings in children and/or adolescents with COVID-19.
Methods
We systematically researched in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases observational studies describing COVID-19 in children and/or adolescents until April 11, 2020. Data regarding clinical and radiological features were extracted from eligible studies and meta-analysis was performed using random-effects modeling.
Results
We examined 19 eligible studies for a total of 2855 children and/or adolescents with COVID-19. Approximately 47% of subjects had fever (95% confidence interval [CI] 22−72%; I2 = 98.6%), 37% cough (95%CI 15−63%; I2 = 98.6%), 4% diarrhea (95%CI 0−12%; I2 = 92.2%), 2% nasal congestion (95%CI 0−7%; I2 = 87.7%), 1% dyspnea (95%CI 0−7%; I2 = 91.5%) and 0% abdominal pain (95%CI 0−1%; I2 = 76.3%). Subjects presented mild symptoms in 79% (95%CI 65−91%; I2 = 93.5%) of cases, whereas only 4% (95%CI 1−9%; I2 = 76.4%) were critical. Among those with pneumonia on computed tomography, 26.4% (95%CI 13−41%; I2 = 80.8%) presented a unilateral involvement, 16% (95%CI 5−29%, I2 = 81.2%) had bilateral involvement and 9% (95%CI 0−24%; I2 = 88.7%) had interstitial pneumonia.
Conclusions
Children and/or adolescents tend to have a mild COVID-19 course with a good prognosis.
Impact
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Compared to adults, children and/or adolescents tend to have a mild COVID-19 course with a good prognosis.
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This study provides new and consistence information on the clinical and radiological characteristics of COVID-19 in pediatrics.
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This study may help to fight COVID-19 in pediatric population.
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A.M. and A.D. conceptualized and designed the study, carried out the initial analyses, drafted the initial manuscript, and reviewed and revised the manuscript. E.R., C.Z., G.B. and M.D.S. designed the data collection instruments, collected data, and reviewed and revised the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
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Mantovani, A., Rinaldi, E., Zusi, C. et al. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children and/or adolescents: a meta-analysis. Pediatr Res 89, 733–737 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-020-1015-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-020-1015-2
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