An overview of the COVID-19 complications in paediatric population: A pandemic dilemma

Abstract

Aim: The primary objective of this article is to understand the various complications caused by the coronavirus in the paediatric population.

Method: An electronic search was conducted using PubMed and incorporated forward and backward research methods on clinical trials, case reports, case series, guidelines and reports from the centre for disease control and prevention (CDC), and the keywords included COVID-19, paediatrics, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), complications, acute kidney injury and heart failure. Secondary resources included one study from preprint servers (www.preprints.org), last search 8 May 2021, with notion of nonpeer review status. Data were collected and analysed to stay current with the most recent alerts and guidelines for the best care for children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: Evaluation and analysis of literature revealed MIS-C to be the most prevalent followed by neurological complications. Whereas the least prevalent were septic shock and ophthalmic complications.

Conclusion: Even though COVID-19 is known to be a less severe in the paediatric population, the complications of the virus have caused a great deal of stress to the paediatric patients' parents and paediatricians worldwide, and hence, emphasis should be given to the management of coronavirus complications in paediatrics.