Comparison of acute pneumonia caused by SARS-COV-2 and other respiratory viruses in children: a retrospective multi-center cohort study during COVID-19 outbreak

Abstract Background Until January 18, 2021, coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has infected more than 93 million individuals and caused a certain degree of panic. Viral pneumonia by common viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, human metapneumovirus, bocavirus, parainfluenza have been in children. However, the incidence COVID-19 children was significantly lower that adults. The purpose this study to describe clinical manifestations, treatment outcomes compared with those other sources viral diagnosed during outbreak. Methods Children admitted 20 hospitals were enrolled retrospective multi-center cohort study. A total 64 defined cohort, which 40 who developed cohort. Another 284 epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory findings Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, t-test, Mann-Whitney U test Contingency table method. Drug usage, immunotherapy, blood transfusion, need for oxygen support collected indexes. Mortality, intensive care needs symptomatic duration outcome indicators. Results Compared mostly exposed family members confirmed (53/64 vs. 23/284), older median age (6.3 3.2 years), had higher proportion ground-glass opacity (GGO) on computed tomography (18/40 0/38, P < 0.001). severe cases (1/40 38/284, = 0.048), high fever (3/40 167/284, 0.001), requiring 32/284, 0.047) shorter (median 5 8 d, evaluated inflammatory indicators, biochemical indicators related organ or tissue damage, D-dimer secondary bacterial infection ( 0.05). No statistical differences found positive PCR results from pharyngeal swabs 25 received antiviral drugs (lopinavir-ritonavir, ribavirin, arbidol) 39 without therapy [median 10 9 0.885]. Conclusion symptoms severity no pneumonia. Lopinavir-ritonavir, ribavirin arbidol do not shorten COVID-19. During outbreak, attention also must be given pathogens infection.