A multidisciplinary group of physicians at Seattle Children’s has developed a management guideline for patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although there is no treatment with proven efficacy for COVID-19, this guidance will help with risk stratification and outlines evaluation and treatment approaches that should be considered. Current evidence for various investigational agents is also included. This guidance was developed with resources and capabilities at Seattle Children’s in mind. It will be updated periodically as more evidence becomes available.
The guidelines are currently being used by a multidisciplinary group at Seattle Children’s who review and discuss each patient before making recommendations based on current guidelines. These are general guidelines; as with most guidelines, clinical correlation is required.
For more information on treatment guidelines for COVID-19, visit the NIH’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Treatment Guidelines.
Risk Factors for COVID-19 in Children
Early studies have shown that children of all ages are at risk for COVID-19, but that their disease course is less severe than adults. Risk factors for more severe disease in children are poorly defined, but patients of all ages, including children and adolescents, may be at risk for more severe COVID-19 illness if they have chronic lung disease (including severe persistent asthma), heart disease (congenital heart defects), immunocompromising conditions, severe obesity, chronic kidney disease on dialysis, or chronic liver disease. These patients should be monitored closely for clinical decompensation.
