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2000
Volume 32, Issue 30
  • ISSN: 0929-8673
  • E-ISSN: 1875-533X

Abstract

Introduction

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) has received endorsement from several guidelines for treating COVID-19 in adults, but its use in children is still uncertain.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of paxlovid in pediatric patients in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on children with COVID-19. The children who received paxlovid comprised the paxlovid group; otherwise, they were referred to as the control group.

Results

A total of 31 children were enrolled, with 12 and 19 participants assigned to the paxlovid and control groups, respectively. Approximately 35% had received vaccination against the novel coronavirus. The control group exhibited a significantly lower mean age in comparison to the paxlovid group ( < 0.001). However, no significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of other baseline data and biochemical indexes at admission. However, on the fifth day of drug administration, the paxlovid group exhibited a statistically significant decrease in temperature compared to the control group ( < 0.05). Additionally, the paxlovid group exhibited a significantly shorter conversion time to negativity for novel coronary genes in the respiratory tract (9.5 days) compared to the control group (16 days, < 0.05). The administration of paxlovid did not result in any observed adverse reactions. Merely two patients exhibited a transient elevation in liver enzyme levels.

Conclusion

The application of paxlovid in critically ill pediatric patients with COVID-19 can effectively control symptoms and promote virus clearance, demonstrating efficacy and a relatively low-risk profile.

© 2025 Bentham Science Publishers
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2025-07-02
2025-09-29

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Safety and Efficacy of Paxlovid in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Patients with COVID-19
Curr. Med. Chem. 32, 6622 (2025); https://doi.org/10.2174/0109298673313885240621110518
/content/journals/cmc/10.2174/0109298673313885240621110518
/content/journals/cmc/10.2174/0109298673313885240621110518
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  • Article Type:     Research Article
Keyword(s): COVID-19; global scale; nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid); omicron; pediatric intensive care unit; respiratory tract

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