Although most children with COVID-19 are asymptomatic or present with mild disease, serious—but rare—complications are being seen in pediatric patients. This supplement describes the epidemiology, clinical features, and management implications for COVID-19 in pediatric patients.

It includes a discussion of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19, as well as other aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic (eg, social distancing, stay-at-home orders, and school closures) that are affecting children and families.

You will learn:

• Theories that support the phenomenon of milder disease in children
• Potential risk factors for severe illness in children
• Common presenting symptoms (fever and cough), as well as less common symptoms (rhinorrhea, sore throat, headache, diarrhea, and dyspnea) and skin findings (chilblain-like lesions)
• Case definitions for MIS-C, as well as presenting symptoms and laboratory findings that may help make the diagnosis
• Which diagnostic studies may be indicated and common findings that indicate severe illness
• Recommendations for management, including supportive care, pharmacologic therapies, and coordination with various pediatric subspecialists
• How other aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic are having an effect on children and their families (eg, poisonings, childhood immunizations, mental health, nonaccidental trauma, and neglect)

Read More