Table 2.
Main reasons for hospitalization of children with SARS-CoV-2 infection, according to admission criteria
| Indications for hospital admission | Admitted children N, (%) |
|---|---|
| Absolute | |
| Fever < 3 months of age | 2 (6.6) |
| Persistence of high-grade fever (> 38.5°) beyond 5 days | 1 (3.3) |
| Oxygen saturation < 92% OR signs of respiratory distress or tachypnoea | 2 (6.6) |
| • 0–2 months = 60 breaths/min | |
| • 2–12 months = 50 breaths/min | |
| • 1–5 years = 40 breaths/min | |
| • > 5 years = 20 breaths/min | |
| Seizures or neurological symptoms | 3 (10) |
| Lethargy, alteration in consciousness | 0 (0) |
| Need for parenteral rehydration | 1 (3.3) |
| Surgical condition and/or acute pain (es. renal colic, head trauma) | 3 (10) |
| Congenital cyanotic heart diseases | 0 (0) |
| Myocardial enzymes, coagulation, liver indices, or lactate dehydrogenase alteration | 0 (0) |
| Relative | |
| Aged < 12 months OR pre-existing conditionsa AND at least one of the following: | |
| • Persistent fever for 3–5 days | 7 (23.3) |
| • Oxygen saturation < 94% or mild respiratory distress | 2 (6.6) |
| • Extra-pulmonary complications | 1 (3.3) |
| • Co-infections | 2 (6.6) |
| • Prematurity < 34 weeks or small for Gestational Age (< 2000 g) | 1 (3.3) |
| • Reactivation of underlying chronic condition needed hospital procedures (i.e acidosis) | 1 (3.3) |
| Biocontainment (risk of spreading SARS-CoV-2 infection to at-risk cohabitants in the absence of other isolation/quarantine measures) | 4 (13.3) |
aPre-existing medical conditions include chronic diseases in which an acute infection may trigger reacutization or rapid clinical impairment: diabetes mellitus, metabolic diseases, adrenal insufficiency, renal insufficiency, hepatic insufficiency, cystic fibrosis, immune disorders and ongoing immunosuppressive therapy