Analysis of clinical characteristics of 66 pediatric patients with B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of COVID-19

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of 66 pediatric patients with B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: Sixty-six pediatric patients with B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of COVID-19 admitted to the hospital from July to August 2021 were classified into mild (n = 41) and moderate groups (n = 25). Clinical characteristics, laboratory data and dynamic trends in different time periods were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender ratios and clinical symptoms between the mild group and the moderate group. All the patients in the moderate group had clusters of onsets, and the incubation period was shorter than that of the mild group. Within 24 hours of admission, the levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, cardiac troponin I, D-dimer in the moderate group were higher than that in the mild group (P < 0.05). The titers of immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM antibodies gradually increased after disease onset. Thirty-five (53.03%) children were tested positive for antibodies in 4-12 days. IgG increased gradually, while IgM decreased obviously in about 15 days after disease onset. The cycle threshold values of open reading frame 1ab and nucleocapsid protein gene in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 genomes increased gradually on the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th days after disease onset, compared with those in day 0.

Conclusions: The symptoms of children with B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of COVID-19 were mild. The description and analysis of the clinical characteristics and laboratory data can help medical staff to evaluate the condition of children with COVID-19 and to accumulate more clinical experience.