This document provides guidance on identifying, testing, and managing COVID-19 in children. It lists common symptoms to suspect COVID-19 such as fever, cough, and loss of taste or smell. It recommends testing ideally for all suspect cases and contacts to avoid transmission, and using rapid antigen tests initially or RT-PCR tests if rapid tests are negative. For positive cases, it outlines managing the child for 10 days after symptom resolution or until oxygen saturation is normal for 3 days without needing oxygen, before discharging the child with a week of home isolation.

1. Covid in Pediatrics
DR. KAUSTUBH MOHITE

2. When to
suspect
COVID-19 in
children ?
• Fever, headache, myalgia,
fatigue, tiredness, coryza,
cough, sore throat, rapid
breathing (anyone).
• Diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal
pain.
• Poor feeding in an infant.
• Loss of taste or smell (>8 year).
• Rash, conjunctival congestion,
mucositis, shock.
• Asymptomatic but has a
close/household contact with a
COVID-19 case.

3. Whom to test ?
• Testing is recommended ideally for all the suspect cases /
contacts (to avoid transmission to other household members).
• Prior to any procedure/ hospitalization.
• However, if resources are scarce, then testing
may be deferred
• Asymptomatic contacts
• Children with mild symptoms AND no comorbidities
• A known positive family member (Should be isolated)

4. Which tests?
• Testing should be done as soon as
possible after onset of symptoms.
• Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) in
nasopharyngeal swabs (low sensitivity, so
if negative, RT-PCR should be done).
• RT-PCR in nasopharyngeal ±
oropharyngeal swabs (Truenat
give faster results).
• SARS-CoV-2 antibodies if MIS-C is
suspected.

6. Management of
Pediatric Covid

12. Discharge
criteria
10 days after symptom onset.
Resolution of clinical symptoms.
SpO2 >95% off oxygen for 3 days.
Negative RT-PCR not needed for
discharge.
Followed by home isolation for 7 days.