TITLE:
Pediatric COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Series of Cases Report in Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Mekone Nkwele Isabelle, Chelo David, Eloundou Odi Eugene, Sap Ngo Um Suzanne, Meli Josephine, Hadja Hamsatou, Balla Nkonda Alain, Minka Basilice, Djientcheu Vincent de Paul
KEYWORDS:
COVID-19, Children, Cameroon, Sub-Saharan Africa
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.10 No.2,
June
29,
2020
ABSTRACT: Background: Infection
with the new Coronavirus 2019 SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, is a global pandemic that
does not spare children. Pediatric forms of COVID-19 are increasingly described
in the literature with less severe clinical forms and lower mortality as
compared to adults. We do not have data on the epidemiologic characteristics of
SARS-CoV-2 infection in children in sub-Saharan Africa where the pandemic is
less severe. Aim: We present four cases of pediatric COVID-19 in Cameroun. Case Presentation: These cases of COVID-19 concern children aged 12
weeks to 13 years. We discuss the diagnostic difficulties and the issues of
effective management in the context of a resource-constrained country. Conclusion: COVID-19 affects children in sub-Saharan Africa. There are different
clinical presentations with favorable outcomes, but there is a need for greater
vigilance in the pediatric population.