First child with critical COVID-19 in Chinese mainland recovers

The first child diagnosed with critical COVID-19 in the Chinese mainland has recovered and was allowed to leave Wuhan Children's Hospital on Feb. 13.

Niuniu, the 1-year-old boy, suffered from occasional diarrhea and vomiting, as well as fever, and was sent to the hospital on Jan. 26.

His oxygen saturation was only 80 percent of the normal rate when he was admitted to the ICU.

Zhang Furong, chief physician at Wuhan Children's Hospital's Intensive Care Department, along with her medical team took charge of Niuniu’s case.

Zhang said that the boy's nucleic acid test showed a positive result, and that he was the first child patient diagnosed with severe COVID-19 in Chinese mainland.

The medical team treated Niuniu using methods such as continuous blood purification and tried to stabilize his condition by using medication that helped improve his immunity and nutritional levels.

After receiving treatment and care from medical staff, the boy's condition gradually improved and he was successfully taken off the medical ventilator and intubation on Feb. 6.

After two more negative nucleic acid test results, Niuniu was confirmed negative and he was allowed to leave the hospital.

“Judging from the current diagnosis and treatment experience, most children with infection are of the common type, and there are not many children diagnosed with the disease,” said Zhang, “There is no need for parents to panic.”

Zhang said COVID-19 mainly manifests itself through severe respiratory symptoms and high fever. Any child with such symptoms should go to hospital immediately, she said.