Abstract Details

Title Features of hospitalized pediatric patients with seizures and respiratory viruses: a comparison of SARS-CoV2, other coronaviruses, and influenza

Topic Infectious Disease

Presentation(s) S18 - COVID-19: From Bedside and Beyond (1:24 PM-1:36 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 003

Background

Neurological symptoms are reported in children with COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV2. Limited data is available on neurological symptoms in other respiratory viruses, including influenza and other coronaviruses.

Objective

To compare features of hospitalized pediatric patients with seizures and respiratory viruses.

Design/Methods Retrospective data was extracted from EPIC on all children between 0-21 years old admitted to Children’s Hospital of Atlanta from January 1, 2014 to June 1, 2021 for seizures and had positive PCR for SARS-CoV-2, other coronaviruses (Coronavirus NL63 and Coronavirus OC34) and influenza (A and B). Patient characteristics including age, race, sex, ethnicity, hospital length of stay, intensive care unit admission, intubation, chest x ray, MRI, and disposition were included. Comparison of patient characteristics between children with COVID-19 and the two other groups were conducted respectively.

Results

A total of 487 pediatric patients were included: 68 COVID-19, 232 influenza, and 187 with other coronaviruses (OC), with median age of 6.2 (interquartile range (IQR): [3.1,11.2]). COVID-19 patients had higher ICU admission rates (50% versus 31%, p = 0.008) but lower intubation rates than OC (19% versus 35%, p = 0.021). Stroke rates were higher in COVID-19 versus OC (6% versus 0.5%, p= 0.019). Initial white blood cell counts were lower in the COVID-19 (median 7.32[6.05, 11.07]) than OC (median 10.66[ 7.61, 14.26]; p = 0.001). The rate of abnormal MRI was lower among COVID-19 patients, compared to OC patients (57% versus 82%) with a medium to large effect size (standard mean difference) of 0.55. However, no differences were observed between COVID-19 and influenza cohorts.

Conclusions

Differences in patients with COVID-19 versus other coronaviruses were observed, whereas no differences were observed in COVID-19 versus influenza patients. Vigilance should be undertaken in treatment of children presenting with all respiratory illnesses.

Authors/Disclosures
Monique Anderson, MD, PhD (Mass General Hospital) PRESENTER	Dr. Anderson has nothing to disclose.
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Grace Gombolay, MD (Emory University/Children'S Healthcare of Atlanta)	Dr. Gombolay has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Pediatric Neurology. An immediate family member of Dr. Gombolay has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Washington Injury Lawyers. The institution of Dr. Gombolay has received research support from CDC. The institution of Dr. Gombolay has received research support from NIH.