CLINICAL AND LABORATORY FEATURES OF EXANTHEMATOUS SYNDROME IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH COVID-19

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the clinical and laboratory characteristics of exanthematous syndrome in children with COVID-19 and to assess its association with disease severity and complications. A combined retrospective and prospective design was applied, including 19,682 pediatric cases (2020–2022) and 363 hospitalized children aged 0–18 years (2022–2024). Clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters were analyzed with emphasis on the presence of exanthema. Exanthema was identified in 40.5% of patients and was significantly associated with a more severe disease course, including higher rates of pneumonia, respiratory failure, hypoxemia, and systemic complications. Laboratory findings in these patients indicated intensified inflammatory response, immune dysregulation, and coagulation abnormalities. The results demonstrate that exanthematous syndrome is not merely a dermatological manifestation but reflects systemic pathological processes. Its presence may serve as an accessible clinical marker for early identification of children at risk of severe COVID-19, requiring enhanced monitoring and management.