Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of children with COVID-19 in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

• Published in: International journal of infectious diseases 2021-07, Vol.108, p.347-352
• Main Authors: Ng, David Chun-Ern, Tan, Kah Kee, Chin, Ling, Ali, Marlindawati Mohd, Lee, Ming Lee, Mahmood, Fatin Mahirah, Rashid, Mohammad Faid Abd, Rashid, Harlina Abdul, Khoo, Erwin Jiayuan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clinical features; Epidemiology; Paediatric COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2
• ISSN: 1201-9712; 1878-3511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.05.073

•High burden of asymptomatic infection was detected through vigorous contact tracing.•Routine radiological imaging may not be necessary for all infected children.•Low transmission rates from infected children to guardians in hospital isolation. To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia in the setting of mandatory hospital isolation and quarantine for all confirmed cases. A multi-centre, retrospective observational study was performed among children aged ≤12 years with laboratory-proven COVID-19 between 1 February and 31 December 2020. In total, 261 children (48.7% males, 51.3% females) were included in this study. The median age was 6 years [interquartile range (IQR) 3–10 years]. One hundred and fifty-one children (57.9%) were asymptomatic on presentation. Among the symptomatic cases, fever was the most common presenting symptom. Two hundred and forty-one (92.3%) cases were close contacts of infected household or extended family members. Twenty-one (8.4%) cases had abnormal radiological findings. All cases were discharged alive without requiring supplemental oxygen therapy or any specific treatment during hospitalization. The median duration of hospitalization was 7 days (IQR 6–10 days). One (2.1%) of the uninfected guardians accompanying a child in quarantine tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) upon discharge. COVID-19 in children was associated with mild symptoms and a good prognosis. Familial clustering was an important epidemiologic feature in the outbreak in Negeri Sembilan. The risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from children to guardians in hospital isolation was minimal despite close proximity.