Title : Clinical profile and selected viral genome sequence analysis of SARS-cov-2 infected pediatric patients in a tertiary military hospital in Quezon city from January 2021 – July 2023: a cross sectional study
Abstract:
Background: SARS-CoV-2 displays distinct characteristics in terms of virulence and disease severity in pediatric population. Hence, patient’s clinical profile and viral genome may
contribute to patient’s symptoms and disease severity.
Objectives: To determine the clinical profile and to analyze the selected viral genome sequence of pediatric patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in a Tertiary Military Hospital in Quezon City from January 2021 – July 2023.
Methods: This is a single center cross sectional study determining the SARS-CoV-2 infected pediatric patients clinical profile consisting of age, sex, residence, comorbidities, presenting symptoms, hospitalization and disease severity. Selected samples were subjected to next generation sequencing to analyze the SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence. All data were recorded with utmost confidentiality.
Results & Conclusion: From January 2021 to July 2023, a total of 630 pediatric patients who got tested for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR were confirmed to have SARS-CoV-2. Two hundred thirty nine (239) were included in this study. Among the study population, 61.51% were male, more than 60% were less than 4 years old and residing in Quezon City. In terms of clinical presentation, 78% had mild symptoms, 20% had radiologic findings of pneumonia, 40% presented with fever, 12% with diarrhea, and 8% with dyspnea. Ten percent (10%) of patients had concomitant seizure disorder. More than 70% were admitted to the hospital and all of the study subjects recovered from the illness. Only ten samples were subjected to next generation sequencing and all were Omicron variants. Majority of the SARS-CoV-2 virus belong to Clade 22B and 23E; and identified pangolin lineages were BA.5.2, BA.2.3.20, XBB.1.5, GJ.1.2 and FL.23.2.
