An Examination of the Laboratory Data of Paediatric COVID-19 Cases

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate abnormalities in the laboratory tests of children with COVID-19 disease.

Material and Method: The study included 71 pediatric cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus, and a control group of 60 healthy children. A retrospective examination was made of age, gender, clinical findings and laboratory data.

Results: The patients comprised 39 males and 32 females and the control group comprised 30 males and 30 females with. The clinical characteristics of the patient group were fever in 36.6%, cough in 12.7%, and respiratory problems in 7%. When the laboratory test results were examined, the leukocyte and lymphocyte levels in the patient group were found to be statistically significantly lower than those of the control group (p=0.01, p<0.001). No significant difference was determined between the groups in respect of neutrophil and thrombocyte counts (p>0.05, p>0.05). The median C-reactive protein measurement was found to be statistically significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (p<0.001).  Conclusion: The results of this study showed that lymphocyte levels were significantly low and C-reactive protein levels were significantly high in children with COVID-19 infection, and these two findings could have significant predictive value for COVID-19 disease. Therefore, the evaluation of lymphocytes and C-reactive protein together in children infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus could increase diagnostic success in COVID-19 cases.