SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Filipino Children: An interim report from the SALVACION registry
https://doi.org/10.56964/pidspj20222302006
- Author:
Abigail C. Rivera
1
,
2
;
Francesca Mae T. Pantig
1
;
Cecilia C. Maramba-Lazarte
1
,
3
;
Arlene S. Dy-Co
1
,
4
;
Venus Oliva C. Rosales
5
;
Raymond Francis R. Sarmiento
6
;
Allyne M. Aguelo
1
,
7
;
Mary Crist A. Delos Santos-Jamora
1
,
8
;
Imelda A. Luna
1
,
9
;
Jay Ron O. Padua
1
,
10
;
Cleo Anna Marie D. Pasco
1
;
Anna Soleil Cheshia V. Tan-Figueras
1
;
Pia Catrina T. Torres
1
,
11
Author Information
1. Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines
2. University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center
3. University of the Philippines, College of Medicine
4. National Childrens Hospital
5. 101 Health Research
6. National Telehealth Center, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila
7. Southern Philippines Medical Center, Davao Doctors Hospital
8. Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center
9. St. Lukes Medical Center QC, St. Lukes Medical Center BGC, Quirino Memorial Medical Center
10. San Lazaro Hospital, Philippine Childrens Medical Center, University of Santo Tomas
11. Dr.Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Disease;
COVID-19 related
- MeSH:
COVID-19;
SARS-CoV-2;
Child;
Registries;
Philippines
- From:
Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines Journal
2022;23(2):31-42
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:The COVID-19 pandemic continues to afflict nations worldwide. The Philippines is no exception which has recorded more than 3 million cases as of December 2021 with children comprising 12% of total cases. Since the start of the pandemic, the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP) has been collecting data nationwide, through an online pediatric COVID-19 registry (SALVACION registry), to provide a better understanding of COVID-19 in children in the local setting.
Methods:This was an ambispective cohort study of pediatric COVID-19 cases in the Philippines reported from March 2020 to December 2021. Data on clinical features, laboratory findings, disease severity, and treatment outcomes were voluntarily reported by physicians across the country. This study was approved by the Department of Health Single Joint Research Ethics Board.
Results:As of December 30, 2021, there were 2,127 cases reported in the registry, with a median age of 5 years (interquartile range: 1-13 years) and mostly mild (41.9%) or moderate (24.5%) in severity. The top symptoms reported were fever (57.9%), cough (42.7%), coryza/colds (29.4%), anorexia (25.2%), and difficulty of breathing (23.1%). The most common comorbidities were hematologic-oncologic diseases (7.4%), neurologic diseases (7.0%) and surgical conditions (4.4%), while the most common coinfections were sepsis (6.3%), dengue fever (4.8%) and healthcare-associated pneumonia (2.1%). Significantly higher median CRP, procalcitonin, D-dimer, ferritin, transaminases and lactate dehydrogenase were seen among severe/critical cases compared to non-severe cases. There was a high frequency of antibiotic use (58%). Most cases recovered, although 172 deaths were reported with an 8.6% case fatality rate. The most common comorbidities in those who died were neurologic (15.7%), cardiac (12.8%) and hematologic (11.6%) diseases.
Conclusion:Children across all age groups are susceptible to COVID-19 and most cases are mild or moderate in severity. Among severe and critical cases, the most common comorbidities were neurologic, hematologic-oncologic and cardiac diseases. Most patients recovered with supportive management.
- Full text:006_PIDSP-vol-23-no-2_PANTIG-RIVERA_SALVACION.pdf
