THE IMPACT OF SARS-COV-2 VIRUS INFECTION IN CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OLD IN A CITY IN BRAZIL´S NORTHEAST

Abstract

Introduction: There are few reports about the impact of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection on children under 5 years of age in Brazil´s northeastern is no well-known. Objectives: To evaluate the clinical, demographic, laboratory characteristics and outcomes of children under five years of age with COVID-19, observed from April 2020 to April 2021 in the city of Cajazeiras, Paraíba. Material and Method: An observational, analytical, retrospective cohort study was conducted, using data collected from municipal epidemiological surveillance (E-SUS VE, SIVEP-flu), hospital records and home visits, of COVID-19 cases in children under 5 years of age, laboratory confirmed, in the first year of the pandemic, in the municipality of Cajazeiras, Paraíba. The database was created using SPSS software, and Pearson's chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used for inferential statistical techniques, with a margin of error of 5.0% and intervals with a reliability of 95.0%. Results: Bivariate analysis showed a statistically significant association between age groups and clinical characteristics such as fever; coryza; headache; taste disorders; hypoactivity and elevated C-reactive protein. As well as, between the outcomes and the presence of history of: neuropathy; lung disease; bronchopneumonia; diabetes and neonatal O2 use. The most frequent diagnoses were: pneumonia; pleural effusion; ITRI; NRTI and Streptococcus Septicemia. In 18.9% of cases, clinical manifestations were observed after the acute phase of Covid-19. Conclusion: The reduced number of hospitalizations (2.2%) and the absence of deaths may suggest possible underdiagnosis and underreporting of deaths. Active surveillance and differentiated care are recommended for children with chronic diseases, who have vulnerability factors for the aggravation of COVID-19.

Keywords: Child; SARS-CoV-2; Covid-19; Coronavirus; Infection.