Most kids infected with the coronavirus develop only mild symptoms and usually recover within two weeks, according to a study published on Wednesday in JAMA Pediatrics, a monthly peer-reviewed medical journal published by the American Medical Association.
However, the study found that some kids become seriously ill, including a 13-month-old infant who was admitted to intensive care.
Researchers in Italy analyzed 1,065 patients with coronavirus, mostly in China, under age 19. They analyzed studies released between December 1 and March 3. At least 444 of them were younger than age 10, while 553 were ages 10 to 19.
Most children were reported to develop mild respiratory symptoms, such as fever, dry cough, and fatigue or were asymptomatic, meaning they produced no symptoms, the researchers found. They said many of the children were hospitalised, but most kids with symptoms required only supportive care and didn’t need oxygen or assisted ventilation.
No children under age 9 died, but one death was reported in the 10-19 age range, they added.
