TABLE 1.
Demographic data and clinical characteristics of COVID+ pediatric patients (data updated on April 16)
| South Lombardy area | Liguria area | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 765 000 | 1 550 000 | 2 315 000 |
| Pediatric population, <18 y, n (% total population) | 120 000 (15.6%) | 216 000 (13.9%) | 336 000 (14.5%) |
| Allergic patients <18 y, n (% total population) | 37 200 (31%) | 71 000 (33%) | 108 200 (32.2%) |
| Asthmatic patients <18 y, n (% total population) | 13 200 (11%) | 26 000 (12%) | 39 200 (11.6%) |
| Blood eosinophils (cells/μL) b | 424.6 ± 318.6 | 446.6 ± 355.4 | 435.8 ± 336.5 |
| Blood eosinophils (%) b | 5.57 | 5.73 | 5.65 |
| COVID+ total (% total population) | 6016 (0.78%) | 6039 (0.39%) | 12 055 (0.52%) |
| COVID+ pediatric (% COVID+ total) | 18 (0.29%) | 22 (0.36%) | 40 (0.33%) |
| Pediatric COVID+ | |||
| Gender: male, n/N (%) | 10/18 (55.5%) | 9/22 (41%) | 19/40 (47.5%) |
| Age (years) a | 6.4 [0.2‐16.0] | 5 [1‐13] | 5 [1‐12.5] |
| Anosmia/dysgeusia c | 0/11 | 3/13 (23%) | 3/24 (12.5%) |
| Fever | 9 (50%) | 18 (82%) | 27 (67.5%) |
| Dyspnea | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cough | 7 (38.9%) | 15 (68.2%) | 22 (55%) |
| Nasopharyngeal complaints | 1 (5.5%) | 10 (45.4%) | 11 (27.5%) |
| Gastrointestinal symptoms (vomit, diarrhea) | 1 (5.5%) | 6 (27.2%) | 7 (17.5%) |
| Asymptomatic | 5 (27.8%) | 3 (13.6%) | 8 (20%) |
| Radiologically diagnosed pneumonia | 3 (16.7%) | 1 (4.5%) | 4 (10%) |
| Indication for CT scan | 1 (5.5%) | 3 (13.6%) | 4 (10%) |
| Hospitalization | 13 (72.2%) | 11 (50%) | 24 (60%) |
| Blood eosinophils (cells/μL) d | 153.3 ± 206.6 | 98.8 ± 78.4 | 135.2 ± 174.6 |
| Blood eosinophils (%) d | 1.67 | 1.64 | 1.66 |
| Oxygen therapy required | 1 (5.5%) | 0/22 | 1 (2.5%) |
| ICU admission | 1 (5.5%) | 0/22 | 1 (2.5%) |
| Allergy | 1 (5.5%) | 1 (4.5%) | 2 (5%) |
| Asthma | 0 | 1 (4.5%) | 1 (2.5%) |
Figures in round parentheses represent percentages.
Abbreviation: n.a.: not available.
a
Figures represent median values, and figures in squared parentheses represent 1st and 3rd quartiles.
b
Data concerning 120 allergic children (71 male, median age 9.5 years);
c
Anosmia/dysgeusia was assessable only in patients ≥3 y;
d
Comparison between allergic children and COVID‐19 children, P < .0001 (Mann‐Whitney test).