Laboratory findings in patients with COVID-19 treated in the pediatric emergency area of the Hospital General IESS del Sur from April to June 2020 Original Research

Abstract

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 is less prevalent in children, and it mostly has a mild clinical presentation. The aim of the present study was to describe the findings from blood, urine, and stool test results in patients with COVID-19 who were treated in the pediatric emergency area of the Hospital General del Sur de Quito from April to June 2020.

Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Depending on the clinical case, from mild to critical disease, hematic biometry, blood chemistry, coagulation times, and inflammatory reactants such as C-reactive protein and procalcitonin, elemental and microscopic urine, and coprological tests were performed. Participants were confirmed using nasopharyngeal swabbing and the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test for COVID-19. Descriptive statistics were used.

Results: Fifty-four patients aged between 29 days and 17 years 11 months were included. Blood counts were normal in 72% of patients, C-reactive protein was <5 ng/dL in 71% of patients, and procalcitonin was <0.5 ng/mL in 100% of patients. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were normal in 79% and 85% of patients, respectively. Partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time were normal in 56% of children.

Conclusions: Laboratory tests are nonspecific in patients with COVID-19. However, they are a tool for timely decision-making.