Isolated rhinorrhea in the presentation of SARS-CoV-2 infection among preschool- versus school-aged children

Objectives Rapid identification and isolation of SARS-CoV-2 cases are priorities in school and child care settings to prevent further outbreaks. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical presentation of SARS-CoV-2 infections among preschool (<5 years) versus school-aged (>= 5 years) children diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection, and, specifically, the probability of presenting with an isolated symptom, such rhinorrhea or sore throat. Methods Retrospective study of children (<= 18 years of age) diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 in the outpatient COVID-19 clinic or the Emergency Department at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) February through May 2020. Results Of 3,789 children tested, 105 (3%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2, and 104 included in the analysis (n=49 age <5 years and n=55 age >= 5 years). While fever was the most common presenting symptom across both age groups, in the absence of fever, the presence of a combination of two or more symptoms identified the majority (92%) of cases. Isolated single symptom presentations were uncommon (<5% of cases). Most importantly, not a single child in either age group presented with isolated rhinorrhea or sore throat. Conclusions While there are differences in the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in preschool- versus school-aged children, in both age groups, isolated rhinorrhea was not a manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. These results could help further guide testing criteria and exclusion criteria in child care and school settings.

Automated summary

This study compares the clinical presentation of SARS-CoV-2 infections in preschool and school-aged children, and found that rhinorrhea and sore throat were not symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Analyzing the symptoms can help guide testing and exclusion criteria in child care and school settings.