Clinical and Chest Computed Tomography Features in Children with SARS-COV-2 Respiratory Infection

Objective: Pulmonary infections due to SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) virus have rapidly spread all over the world, causing a global pandemic. In this study, representation of clinical and radiological findings due to SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric patient population was aimed. Materials and Methods: Clinical and radiological results of 16 patients who admitted to our Pediatric Emergency Unit between March 2020 and January 2021, whose diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, who had an appearance consistent with SARS-CoV-2 infection on chest computed tomography (CT) and followed-up in inpatient setting were examined retrospectively in this study. Results: Of these patients who were hospitalized with suspicion of SARS-CoV-2 infection; 35% underwent chest CT. 18% of these were found to have findings in CT of chest consistent with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The most common findings in chest CT included ground glass opacities in 15 (94%) patients and consolidations in 10 (62%) patients. The most common presenting symptoms were cough (62%), fever (44%), and dyspnea (44%). The median duration of hospital stay of the patients was 7 (5-16). Conclusion: Primary respiratory system involvement in SARS-CoV-2 and some limitations in RT-PCR tests and other radiological methods have made chest CT an auxiliary diagnostic method.