COVID-19 in Egyptian Children on Regular Hemodialysis: Experience of a Single Center

Abstract

Abstract Background COVID-19 is clinically characterized by high rates of transmission, and pathological abnormalities. Pediatric patients with CKD are at high risk of COVID-19 infection & morbidity. Aim of the Work We aimed at studying the rate of infection by COVID-19 in pediatric patients following up at our Pediatric dialysis & Nephrology unit, Ain Shams University. Patients and Methods This retrospective study was conducted over 12 months from 1st of March 2020 to end of February 2021 on 70 pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5 on regular hemodialysis (CDK5d). Results The mean age & dialysis duration of our studied patients was 11.89 (±3.01) years & 2.17(±1.2)years respectively, where the incidence of COVID-19 infection confirmed by PCR on nasal swab sampleswas 7%. The younger patients had a higher rate of COVID-19 infection than older ones (p = 0.05). Using public transportation during past 14 days before getting COVID-19 infection was significant in COVID-19 positive patients (p = 0.01). The common associated symptoms in our patients were fever, joint ache, muscle ache, loss of appetite, headache, shortness of breath, fatigue, cough, sore throat, nausea, loss of smell or taste, diarrhea, vomiting. Conclusion COVID-19 infection among our CDK5d patients was not uncommon with incidence of 7%, where younger patients were infected more frequently than older patients The common associated symptoms in our patients were fever, joint ache, muscle ache, loss of appetite, headache, shortness of breath, fatigue, cough, sore throat, nausea, loss of smell or taste, diarrhea, vomiting.