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Review
. 2020 Dec;67(12):e28745.
doi: 10.1002/pbc.28745. Epub 2020 Oct 3.

Hematological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 in children

Chrysoula Kosmeri  1 , Epameinondas Koumpis  2 , Sophia Tsabouri  1 , Ekaterini Siomou  1 , Alexandros Makis  1
Affiliations
Review

Hematological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 in children

Chrysoula Kosmeri et al. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Infection from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), though mainly a respiratory disease, can impair many systems, including causing hematological complications. Lymphopenia and hypercoagulability have been reported in adults with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and are considered markers of poor prognosis. This review summarizes the hematological findings in children with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The majority of infected children had a normal leukocyte count, while the most common white blood cell abnormality was leukopenia. Lymphopenia, which may be a marker of severe disease, was rarer in children than in adults, possibly due to their immature immune system or due to the less severe manifestation of COVID-19 in this age group. Age may have an impact, and in neonates and infants the most common abnormality was lymphocytosis. Abnormalities of red blood cells and platelets were uncommon. Anemia and hypercoagulability were reported mainly in children presenting the novel multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) associated with SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords: COVID-19; MIS; SARS-CoV-2; children; hematological manifestations.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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