June 15, 2020

Presenting Symptoms of COVID-19 in Children: A Meta-Analysis of Published Studies

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

• Assaker et al. performed a meta-analysis of 28 articles including 1,614 individuals to describe COVID-19 symptoms in children. Of 23 studies (n=1,543 patients) describing the distribution of COVID-19 severity, they found that children typically presented with mild (37%) or moderate (45%) upper respiratory tract infection, and cases were rarely severe (3%) or critical (0.6%). Fever (48% prevalence) and cough (40% prevalence) were the most common symptoms. 

Assaker et al. (May 31, 2020). Presenting Symptoms of COVID-19 in Children: A Meta-Analysis of Published Studies. British Journal of Anaesthesia. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2020.05.026