Evaluation of Changing Drug Preferences During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Tertiary Childrens Hospital

Objective: There is currently no drug that is effective against the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and no consensus was present regarding the treatment. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate the progress of the treatment process of patients with COVID-19 since the first day of pandemic in our country and the changes in the process.Method: This single-center cross-sectional study was conducted from March 11 through November 30, 2020, in University of Health Sciences Turkey, Dr. Behcet Uz Pediatric Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital, a 400-bed tertiary care hospital in Izmir, Turkey. Treatment options in all hospitalized children with COVID-19 were evaluated.Results: Evaluation of our clinical treatment algorithm from March to December, it was seen that the majority of the patients did not need any specific treatment and recovered only with supportive treatment. Because of the recommendations of the COVID-19 guidelines, no efficacy has been detected during the oseltamivir treatment and there was a significant decrease in use of azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine. Favipiravir is still the first choice of drug for patients with COVI D-19.Conclusion: World Health Organization, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Surviving Sepsis guidelines indicate that their investigational treatments should only be used in certain clinical trial setting. Supportive care is still the main therapeutic option in COVI D-19.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the treatment process of COVID-19 patients and found that supportive care is still the main therapeutic option. Oseltamivir treatment showed no efficacy, while the use of azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine decreased significantly. Favipiravir remains the first choice for drug treatment.