Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak in Pediatrics and the Role of Pediatricians: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak initiated in Wuhan, China and has spread rapidly all around the world and labeled as a pandemic with almost 168,000 infected cases and 6,500 deaths globally up to March 16, 2020. It is believed that children are less likely than adults to be infected with COVID-19. In this review, we discuss different aspects of COVID-19 infection in pediatrics. COVID-19 in pediatrics occurs in the early stages of its outbreak at a high rate with a family cluster pattern mainly. Children infected with COVID-19 are mostly asymptomatic carriers and the main potential causes of the spread and transmission of the disease in communities. Asymptomatic children with no underlying disease or red flags should follow home isolation protocols. Children with red flags, comorbidities and risk factors or those with severe pneumonia must be admitted to the hospitals. Children’s hospitals should be equipped with the acute respiratory diseases ward, quarantine rooms, and intensive care unit to protect other patients and health care staff during the COVID-19 outbreak.