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

Abstract

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. Behçet Uz Pediatric Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital, a 400-bed tertiary care hospital in İzmir, 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 COVID-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 COVID-19.

Keywords

• antiviral drug
• coronavirus disease-2019 (covid-19)
• pandemic
• favipiravir