COVID-19 Diagnostic and Management Protocol for Pediatric Patients

Ana Paula de Carvalho Panzeri Carlotti; Werther Brunow de Carvalho; Cíntia Johnston; Isadora Souza Rodriguez; Artur Figueiredo Delgado

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Ana Paula de Carvalho Panzeri Carlotti Departamento de Pediatria, Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, BR
Werther Brunow de Carvalho Instituto da Crianca e do Adolescente (Icr), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
Cíntia Johnston Instituto da Crianca e do Adolescente (Icr), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
Isadora Souza Rodriguez Instituto da Crianca e do Adolescente (Icr), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
Artur Figueiredo Delgado Instituto da Crianca e do Adolescente (Icr), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR

Keywords:

COVID-19, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Infection, Ventilatory Support, Diagnostic Criteria

Abstract

This review aims to verify the main epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory-related, and therapeutic aspects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in critically ill pediatric patients. An extensive review of the medical literature on COVID-19 was performed, mainly focusing on the critical care of pediatric patients, considering expert opinions and recent reports related to this new disease. Experts from a large Brazilian public university analyzed all recently published material to produce a report aiming to standardize the care of critically ill children and adolescents. The report emphasizes on the clinical presentations of the disease and ventilatory support in pediatric patients with COVID-19. It establishes a ﬂowchart to guide health practitioners on triaging critical cases. COVID-19 is essentially an unknown clinical condition for the majority of pediatric intensive care professionals. Guidelines developed by experts can help all practitioners standardize their attitudes and improve the treatment of COVID-19.