A comparison of the characteristics and outcomes of children with COVID-19 infections and children with other respiratory tract viral infections requiring high-flow nasal cannula

Abstract Background The aim of this single-center retrospective cohort study was to compare the clinical and laboratory differences, response, and outome of the patients requiring HFNC between two distinct groups, children with SARS-CoV-2 infection and children infected with other types of respiratory tract viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This single-center cross-sectional study was conducted in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Ward and COVID-19 pademic wardç Data of the patients was collected from medical records including information on demographic characteristics (age, gender, and medical history); underlying diseases or co-morbidities, indications for HFNC and physical examination findings. If present laboratory examinations taken from the submissions were recorded. The indication and duration of HFNC, the length of hospital stay, admission or transfer to the PICU each patient’s stay in the hospital and if present the mortality rates by group were recorded.. Results During the study period a total of 171 patients were followed-up under HFNC. Among them, 8 patients were excluded from the study due to absence of arterial blood gas results before HFNC and 6 patients were excluded due to absence of PCR testing for COVID-19. At the final analysis, 157 patients under HFNC treatment were included including 22 COVID-19 PCR positive (group I ) and 135 COVID-19 PCR negative patients(Group II). Conclusions This study, patients with COVID-19 infections had longer durations of HFNC and hospital stay, in addition to high rate of transmission to PICU, suggesting a worser clinical outcome compared to infections with other viruses.