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Diagnosis and Management of COVID-19 in Pediatric Patients

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A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Pediatrics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 October 2022) | Viewed by 24940

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Olcay Y. Jones

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Guest Editor

Division Pediatric Rheumatology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
Interests: cell-based treatment of autoimmune diseases

Dr. Erkan Demirkaya

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Guest Editor

Department of Paediatrics, Division of Paediatric Rheumatology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
Interests: autoinflammatory disorders; Behcet disease; childhood SLE; vasculitis; genetic etiology of autinflammation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to invite you to take part in the upcoming Special Issue entitled “Diagnosis and Management of COVID-19 in Pediatric Patients” in the Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal listed under PubMed on clinical and preclinical research with an impact factor of 4.241.

This issue is open to original research papers, case series, and reviews. The objective of this Special Issue is to provide expert analysis of the current pandemic landscape for its impact on pediatric age groups. Your expertise is needed to bring practical applications to everyday patient care at ambulatory, emergency, and intensive care settings in a global and multidisciplinary perspective. You may consider blending this overarching aim with the points of special interest including, but not limited to 1) understanding the natural history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and determinants of disease severity in children; 2) available biomarkers and guidance on imaging studies to optimize clinical decisions; 3) current treatment protocols and treatment response; 4) hyperinflammatory syndrome pathogenesis and management during or after COVID-19; 5) short- and long-term complications and outcomes; 6) vaccination of normal and vulnerable children; and 7) emerging challenges for school, community, and mental health.

Along with the journal staff, I will personally be available to assist you in preparing your manuscript for this Special Issue. International collaborations and knowledge sharing are highly encouraged. You are welcome to contact me directly for any questions. Thank you for your consideration.

Dr. Olcay Y. Jones
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Pediatric
COVID-19
Diagnosis
Immunology
Treatment
Outcomes

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 1446 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cross-Sectional Study on Lateral Skull Radiographs to Design a New Nasopharyngeal Swab for Simplified COVID-19 and Respiratory Infections Diagnostic Testing in Children

by Cecilia Goracci, Alessandra Volpe, Lorenzo Salerni, Elisabetta Paolini, Alessandro Vichi and Lorenzo Franchi

J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(1), 213; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jcm12010213 - 27 Dec 2022

Viewed by 2340

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal swab sample collection is the first-line testing method for diagnosing COVID-19 infection and other respiratory infections. Current information on how to properly perform nasopharyngeal swabbing in children is largely defective. This study aimed at collecting nostril to nasopharynx distance measurements on lateral skull radiographs of children and adolescents to design a nasopharyngeal swab meant to standardize and facilitate the sample collection procedure. A total of 323 cephalograms of 152 male and 171 female children aged 4–14 years taken for orthodontic reasons were selected. On each cephalogram, the shortest distance between the most anterosuperior point of the nostril contour and the nasopharynx outline was measured in mm parallel to the palatal plane. Descriptive statistics of the measurements were calculated for each age group. The lower limit of the 95% confidence intervals of the measurements was taken as a reference to design a swab shaft with marks that, at each age, delimitate a safety boundary for swab progression up to the posterior nasopharyngeal wall. The simplification of the procedure enabled by the newly designed nasopharyngeal swab is valuable to help healthcare providers perform specimen collection on children in a safe and effective way, perhaps under the less-than-ideal conditions possibly occurring in ‘point-of-need’ contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Management of COVID-19 in Pediatric Patients)

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10 pages, 460 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of COVID-19 and RSV Infection Courses in Infants and Children under 36 Months Hospitalized in Paediatric Department in Fall and Winter Season 2021/2022

by Anna Fedorczak, Natalia Zielińska, Paulina Nosek-Wasilewska, Katarzyna Mikołajczyk, Joanna Lisiak, Krzysztof Zeman and Marcin Tkaczyk

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(23), 7088; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jcm11237088 - 29 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1783

Abstract

Background: The study aimed to determine the differences between COVID-19 and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in young children hospitalized in the pediatric department. Methods: This retrospective study included 52 children with COVID-19 and 43 children with RSV infection younger than 36 months hospitalized in a pediatric department between September 2021 and March 2022. Clinical and laboratory findings, methods of treatment and hospitalization length were compared. Results: In the RSV group, significantly higher rates of cough (93.2% vs. 38.5%), rhinitis (83.7% vs. 50%), dyspnea (83.7% vs. 21.1%), crackles (69.8% vs. 5.8%) and wheezes (72.1% vs. 9.6%) were observed. The COVID-19 group had significantly higher rates of fever (80.8% vs. 37.2%) and seizures (13.5% vs. 0%). Patients with RSV infection had significantly higher rates of bronchodilator therapy (88.37% vs. 5.77%) and oxygen therapy (48.8% vs. 7.7%) and required a longer hospital stay (8 vs. 3 days). In admission, the majority of the patients from both groups were not treated with antibiotics, but because of clinical deterioration and suspected bacterial co-infections, antibiotics were administered significantly more frequently in the RSV group (30.2% vs. 9.6%). Conclusions: RSV infection in infants and small children had a more severe course than COVID-19 infection. RSV infection was associated with a longer hospitalization period and required more elaborate treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Management of COVID-19 in Pediatric Patients)

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11 pages, 1282 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trends in Well-Child Visits and Routine Vaccination among Children of U.S. Military Members: An Evaluation of the COVID-19 Pandemic Effects

by Kyle Sexton, Apryl Susi, Elizabeth Lee, Elizabeth Hisle-Gorman, Michael Rajnik, Jayasree Krishnamurthy and Cade M. Nylund

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(22), 6842; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jcm11226842 - 19 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1470

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically impacted administration of healthcare including well-child visits and routine vaccinations. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic disruption on childhood health maintenance: well-child visits and scheduled vaccinations. We queried the TRICARE Management Activity’s Military Health System (MHS) database for outpatient well-child visits and vaccinations for all children 0 to 23 months of age eligible for TRICARE healthcare. The median rate of well-child visits, during the COVID-19 period (March 2020–July 2021), was significantly declined for all demographic groups: all ages, parental military ranks, sex, and regions as compared to the pre-COVID-19 period (February 2019–February 2020). Similar to rates of well-child visits, the rate of vaccinations declined during the COVID-19 period as compared to the pre-COVID-19 period for all demographic groups, except children 12–23 months. Rates of well-child visits for military dependent children under 2 years of age were decreased during the 16 month COVID-19 period, with large increases seen in the first 2 months of the pandemic; the consequences of missed well-child visits and vaccination are unknown. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Management of COVID-19 in Pediatric Patients)

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10 pages, 1185 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Concentrations of Soluble Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (sACE2) in Children and Adults with and without COVID-19

by Sarah Isabella Wissing, Rima Obeid, Tanja Rädle-Hurst, Tilman Rohrer, Christian Herr, Jakob Schöpe, Jürgen Geisel, Robert Bals and Hashim Abdul-Khaliq

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(22), 6799; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jcm11226799 - 17 Nov 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1386

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, leads to illness and death. Various risk factors for a severe course, such as higher age, male gender and pre-existing illnesses are known. However, pathophysiological risk factors are largely unclear. Notably, the mild course of disease in children is conspicuous. Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) serves as a receptor for SARS-CoV-2 and is a key enzyme in infection. Differences in the distribution of ACE2 can provide insights into different courses of COVID-19. Our aim was to elucidate the role of ACE2 as a pathophysiological risk factor by measuring soluble ACE2 (sACE2) via ELISA in blood samples (lithium-heparin-plasma or serum) of 367 individuals including children and adults with and without COVID-19. sACE2-levels were compared between the groups according to age and sex. In adults and children with COVID-19, sACE2-concentrations are significantly higher compared to healthy individuals. sACE2-levels increase with age and are lower in children compared to adults with COVID-19. Sex doesn’t significantly influence sACE2-concentration. It remains unclear whether sACE2 concentrations increase because of the infection and what factors could influence this response. In conclusion, the increase of sACE2-concentration with age could indicate that ACE2 concentrations mirror increased COVID-19 severity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Management of COVID-19 in Pediatric Patients)

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16 pages, 1723 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Baseline Characteristics and Prognostic Factors in Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome in Children: Is It Possible to Foresee the Prognosis in the First Step?

by Benhur Sirvan Cetin, Ayşenur Paç Kısaarslan, Sedanur Tekin, Merve Basol Goksuluk, Ali Baykan, Başak Nur Akyıldız, Yılmaz Seçilmiş, Hakan Poyrazoglu and on behalf of the Erciyes MIS-C Study Group

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(15), 4615; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jcm11154615 - 8 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1577

Abstract

Background: Two years after the first cases, critical gaps remain in identifying prognostic factors in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Methods: This retrospective study included 99 patients with MIS-C hospitalized between August 2020 and March 2022 in a pediatric tertiary center. The patients were divided into two groups according to clinical severity (low- and high-risk). Prognostic values of baseline clinical and laboratory characteristics were evaluated with advanced statistical analysis, including machine learning. Results: Sixty-three patients were male, and the median age was 83 (3–205) months. Fifty-nine patients (59.6%) were low-risk cases. Patients aged six years and over tended to be at higher risk. Involvement of aortic or tricuspid valve or >1 valve was more frequent in the high-risk group. Mortality in previously healthy children was 3.2%. Intensive care unit admission and mortality rate in the high-risk group were 37.5% and 7.5%, respectively. At admission, high-risk patients were more likely to have reduced lymphocyte count and total protein level and increased brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), ferritin, D-dimer, and troponin concentrations. The multiple logistic regression model showed that BNP, total protein, and troponin were associated with higher risk. When the laboratory parameters were used together, BNP, total protein, ferritin, and D-dimer provided the highest contribution to the discrimination of the risk groups (100%, 89.6%, 85.6%, and 55.8%, respectively). Conclusions: Our study widely evaluates and points to some clinical and laboratory parameters that, at admission, may indicate a more severe course. Modeling studies with larger sample groups are strongly needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Management of COVID-19 in Pediatric Patients)

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8 pages, 225 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is It Inflammatory Bowel Disease Flare or Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome Temporally Associated with COVID-19?

by Paulina Krawiec, Violetta Opoka-Winiarska and Elżbieta Pac-Kożuchowska

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(10), 2765; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jcm11102765 - 13 May 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1782

Abstract

Background: Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19/multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (PIMS-TS/MIS-C) is a potentially life-threatening complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. Gastrointestinal manifestations are prominent in children with PIMS-TS/MIS-C. Thus, it is challenging to differentiate this condition from an exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to present the clinical characteristics, and diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties in patients with overlapping IBD and PIMS-TS/MIS-C; Methods: We reviewed medical records of children hospitalized due to overlapping IBD and PIMS-TS/MIS-C in a single pediatric hospital from December 2020 to December 2021; Results: There were four children with overlapping IBD flare and PIMS-TS/MIS-C. In three cases, IBD recognition preceded PIMS-TS/MIS-C onset and PIMS-TS/MIS-C occurred during anti-inflammatory therapy of IBD. All children presented with gastrointestinal symptoms at PIMS-TS/MIS-C onset. All patients received IVIG and ASA treatment. In three children there was a need to use steroids to resolve PIMS-TS/MIS-C symptoms. One child was vaccinated against COVID-19; Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 infection may affect patients with underlying inflammatory conditions such as IBD, inducing systemic symptoms of PIMS-TS/MIS-C, and probably triggering IBD after PIMS-TS/MIS-C. The resemblance of clinical presentations is the main source of diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in PIMS-TS/MIS-C in patients with underlying IBD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Management of COVID-19 in Pediatric Patients)

13 pages, 1481 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparisons of Clinical Features and Outcomes of COVID-19 between Patients with Pediatric Onset Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases and Healthy Children

by Fatih Haslak, Sevki Erdem Varol, Aybuke Gunalp, Ozge Kaynar, Mehmet Yildiz, Amra Adrovic, Sezgin Sahin, Gulsen Kes, Ayse Ayzit-Kilinc, Beste Akdeniz, Pinar Onal, Gozde Apaydin, Deniz Aygun, Huseyin Arslan, Azer Kilic-Baskan, Evrim Hepkaya, Ozge Meral, Kenan Barut, Haluk Cezmi Cokugras and Ozgur Kasapcopur

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(8), 2102; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jcm11082102 - 9 Apr 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1798

Abstract

(1) Background: We aimed to describe the clinical features and outcomes of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in children and late adolescents with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD) and to measure their severity risks by comparing them with healthy children. (2) Methods: Among children and late adolescents found to be severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, IRD patients with an at least six-months follow-up duration, and healthy children were included in the study. Data were obtained retrospectively. (3) Results: A total of 658 (339 (51.5%) females) (healthy children: 506, IRD patients: 152) subjects were included in the study. While 570 of 658 (86.6%) experienced COVID-19-related symptoms, only 21 (3.19%) required hospitalization with a median duration of 5 (1–30) days. Fever, dry cough, and fatigue were the most common symptoms. None of evaluated subjects died, and all recovered without any significant sequelae. The presence of any IRD was found to increase the risk of both hospitalization (OR: 5.205; 95% CI: 2.003–13.524) and symptomatic infection (OR: 2.579; 95% CI: 1.068–6.228). Furthermore, increasing age was significantly associated with symptomatic infection (OR: 1.051; 95% CI: 1.009–1.095). (4) Conclusions: Our study emphasizes that pediatric rheumatologists should monitor their patients closely for relatively poor COVID-19 outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Management of COVID-19 in Pediatric Patients)

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10 pages, 246 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Multifaceted Presentation of the Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children: Data from a Cluster Analysis

by Hafize Emine Sönmez, Şengül Çağlayan, Gülçin Otar Yener, Eviç Zeynep Başar, Kadir Ulu, Mustafa Çakan, Vafa Guliyeva, Esra Bağlan, Kübra Öztürk, Demet Demirkol, Ferhat Demir, Şerife Gül Karadağ, Semanur Özdel, Nuray Aktay Ayaz and Betül Sözeri

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(6), 1742; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jcm11061742 - 21 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1775

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients with the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) according to phenotypes of disease and define the prognostic factors for the severe course. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 293 patients with MIS-C from seven pediatric rheumatology centers. A two-step cluster analysis was performed to define the spectrum of disease and their outcomes were compared between each group. Results: Four subgroups were identified as follows: cluster I, predominantly Kawasaki-like features (n = 100); cluster II, predominantly MAS-like features (n = 34); cluster III, predominantly LV dysfunction (n = 47); cluster IV, other presentations (n = 112). The duration of fever was longer in cluster II and the length of hospitalization was longer in both clusters II and III. Laboratory findings revealed lower lymphocyte and platelet counts and higher acute phase reactants (APRs) in cluster II, while patients in cluster IV showed less inflammation with lower APRs. The resolution of abnormal laboratory findings was longer in clusters II and III, while it was shortest in cluster IV. Seven patients died. Among them, four belonged to cluster II, while three were labeled as cluster III. Patients with severe course had higher levels of neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, mean platelet volume, procalcitonin, ferritin, interleukin-6, fibrinogen, D-Dimer, BNP, and troponin-I, and lower levels of lymphocyte and platelet counts. Conclusion: As shown, MIS-C is not a single disease presenting with various clinical features and outcomes. Understanding the disease spectrum will provide individualized management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Management of COVID-19 in Pediatric Patients)

11 pages, 871 KiB

Open AccessArticle

CXCL10/IP10 as a Biomarker Linking Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome and Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Children with SARS-CoV-2

by Eviç Zeynep Başar, Hafize Emine Sönmez, Hüseyin Uzuner, Aynur Karadenizli, Hüseyin Salih Güngör, Gökmen Akgün, Ayşe Filiz Yetimakman, Selim Öncel and Kadir Babaoğlu

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(5), 1416; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jcm11051416 - 4 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2120

Abstract

Background: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of CXCL10/IP10 for left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in multisystemic inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). Methods: This cross-sectional, longitudinal study included 36 patients with MIS-C. Patients were classified as follows: (1) patients presenting with Kawasaki-like features (group I = 11); (2) patients presenting with LV systolic dysfunction (group II = 9); and (3) other presentations (group III = 3). CXCL10/IP10 levels were measured upon admission and on days 3 and 7 of treatment. Results: Twenty patients were male and 16 were female. The median age of patients at diagnosis was 7.5 (1.5–17) years. All patients had a fever lasting for a median of 4 (2–7) days. Ten patients had LV systolic dysfunction. The duration of hospitalization was longer in group II. Lymphocyte and platelet counts were lower, whereas NT-pro-BNP, troponin-I, D-dimer, and CXCL10/IP10 levels were higher in group II. Baseline levels of CXCL10/IP10 were weakly negatively correlated with ejection fraction (r = −0.387, p = 0.022). Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis yielded a cutoff value of CXCL10/IP10 to discriminate patients with LV dysfunction was 1839 pg/mL with sensitivity 88% and specificity 68% (Area under curve (AUC) = 0.827, 95% CI 0.682–0.972, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Having a good correlation with cardiac function, CXCL10/IP10 is a potential biomarker to predict LV dysfunction in MIS-C patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Management of COVID-19 in Pediatric Patients)

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7 pages, 447 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is It Useful to Determine the Temperature of Children for COVID-19 Screening in the Dental Setting?

by Eliane García-Mato, Iván Varela-Aneiros, Maite Abeleira-Pazos, Mercedes Outumuro-Rial, Pedro Diz-Dios, Jacobo Limeres-Posse and Márcio Diniz-Freitas

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(4), 976; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jcm11040976 - 13 Feb 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1404

Abstract

Background: To date, the efficacy of temperature readings of children in the dental setting for COVID-19 screening has not been evaluated. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the usefulness of forehead temperature measurements in a dental clinic for COVID-19 screening in healthy children (without systemic disease) and in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Methods: Using an infrared thermometer, we recorded the forehead temperature of 200 pediatric patients (100 healthy children and 100 children with neurodevelopmental disorders). We performed temperature measurements “before”, “during”, and “after” the dental procedure. Oropharyngeal swabs were taken of all participants to detect SARS-CoV-2. Results: Sex, age, administration of local anesthesia, and use of rotary instrumentation did not affect the temperature values. In the children with neurodevelopmental disorders with a value of 1 on the Frankl behavior scale, the temperatures were significantly higher than in those with values of 2, 3, and 4 (p = 0.032, p = 0.029, and p = 0.03, respectively). The PCR for SARS-CoV-2 was positive for two patients (one healthy and the other with a neurodevelopmental disorder), whose “before” temperatures were 36.4 °C and 36.5 °C, respectively. Conclusions: Forehead temperatures increase during dental procedures and are conditioned by the patient’s behavior. An isolated temperature reading does not identify children infected by SARS-CoV-2. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Management of COVID-19 in Pediatric Patients)

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9 pages, 424 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is Long COVID a State of Systemic Pericyte Disarray?

by Olcay Y. Jones and Sencer Yeralan

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(3), 572; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jcm11030572 - 24 Jan 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4248

Abstract

The most challenging aspect of Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC) or Long COVID remains for the discordance between the viral damage from acute infection in the recent past and susceptibility of Long COVID without clear evidence of post infectious inflammation or autoimmune reactions. In this communication we propose that disarray of pericytes plays a central role in emerge of Long COVID. We assume pericytes are agents with “Triple-A” qualities, i.e., analyze-adapt and advance, necessary for sustainability of host homeostasis. Based on this view, we further suggest Long COVID may provide a model system to integrate system theory and complex adaptive systems to explore a new class of maladies those are currently not well defined and with no remedies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Management of COVID-19 in Pediatric Patients)

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Review

Jump to: Research

15 pages, 25051 KiB

Open AccessReview

Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of Pediatric COVID-19 Population—A Bibliometric Analysis

by Ionela Maniu, George Maniu and Maria Totan

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(20), 5987; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jcm11205987 - 11 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1912

Abstract

The literature on the COVID-19 landscape has rapidly expanded in the pandemic period. The current study undertakes a bibliometric analysis of research in the topic of the clinical and laboratory characteristics of pediatric COVID-19 cases. Our aim is to perform a comprehensive bibliometric review of current research trends and patterns of this research domain. Publications retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and VOSviewer were used for analysis and network visualization. We analyzed geographical distribution and temporal trends, collaboration and citation patterns of authors, institutions, and countries, and core research themes from co-occurrence of keywords and terms. The analysis showed that contributions in the research field were from 302 publications, 1104 institutions, 62 countries, and 172 journals. Many publications were authored by American and Chinese authors, and many were published in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, Pediatric Pulmonology, and Frontiers in Pediatrics. The top cited and co-cited journals were the New England Journal of Medicine, Nature, JAMA, Lancet Infectious Diseases, and BMJ. The network visualization maps of keywords and terms offered a global overview of the clinical and laboratory characteristics of pediatric COVID-19 patients. The bibliometric profile of the researched domain, based on analyzing a large collection of publications/data, could (i) enrich the researchers and non-researchers understanding of the field existing patterns and trends, and (ii) be useful in clinical practice (diagnostic and management) and public health policy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Management of COVID-19 in Pediatric Patients)

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