Table 2 Statistical comparison according to symptoms and demographic data of studied children with COVID-19 as regards serum GDF-15 level

Fever

No

493.3 (235.92–2150.4)

235.92–2150.4

− 0.183

0.855

NS

Yes

623.7 (342.06–1079.96)

47.47–2940.2

Cough

No

588.59 (334.36–1373.58)

47.47–2940.2

− 0.423

0.673

NS

Yes

668.89 (445.38–1038.84)

72.17–2402.6

Dyspnea

No

531.88 (223.72–854.1)

47.47–2940.2

− 2.019

0.043

S

Yes

829.64 (511.76–1390.82)

63.74–2402.6

Loss of taste and smell

No

623.7 (342.06–1138.7)

47.47–2940.2

− 0.305

0.760

NS

Yes

553.48 (335.28–1017.04)

187.52–2402.6

Sore throat

No

581.39 (229.82–1444.44)

47.47–2522.24

− 0.510

0.610

NS

Yes

681.92 (423.45–1056.56)

72.17–2940.2

Runny nose

No

873.16 (235.92–1474.6)

47.47–2940.2

− 0.683

0.495

NS

Yes

589.12 (462.4–1008.38)

72.17–2402.6

Diarrhea

No

573.66 (334.36–1074.28)

47.47–2940.2

− 1.698

0.089

NS

Yes

854.1 (604.76–1445.38)

265.32–2522.24

Nausea

No

583.99 (342.06–1074.28)

63.74–2335.44

− 0.651

0.515

NS

Yes

656.97 (334.36–1445.38)

47.47–2940.2

Vomiting

No

583.99 (342.06–1074.28)

63.74–2335.44

− 0.697

0.486

NS

Yes

656.97 (334.36–1445.38)

47.47–2940.2

Abdominal pain

No

562.93 (335.28–1035.92)

72.17–2940.2

− 0.879

0.379

NS

Yes

656.97 (462.4–1443.5)

47.47–2522.24

Rash

No

623.7 (401.52–1074.28)

47.47–2940.2

− 0.315

0.753

NS

Yes

604.76 (202.2–1445.38)

63.74–2335.44

Conjunctivitis

No

599.54 (335.28–1038.84)

47.47–2940.2

− 1.100

0.271

NS

Yes

1331.92 (342.06–2053.58)

75.83–2335.44

Fatigue

No

537.82 (223.72–688.5)

63.74–1676.44

− 2.162

0.031

S

Yes

786.12 (401.52–1443.5)

47.47–2940.2

Headache

No

638.6 (335.28–1138.7)

47.47–2522.24

− 0.770

0.441

NS

Yes

445.38 (342.06–675.34)

187.52–2940.2

Muscle ache

No

589.12 (236.26–1074.28)

47.47–2522.24

− 0.964

0.335

NS

Yes

733.02 (462.4–1218.46)

75.83–2940.2

Joint pain

No

581.39 (334.36–1035.92)

47.47–2522.24

− 1.394

0.163

NS

Yes

984.42 (445.38–1637.3)

75.83–2940.2

Weight for age

(Z-score)

Normal (-1 to + 2)

553.48 (236.26–1017.04)

47.47–2940.2

6.299‡‡

0.043

S

Mildly underweight

(-1 to -2)

944.32 (589.12–1676.44)

119.11– 2319.22

Moderately underweight

(-2 to—3)

1022.15 (607.22–1812.5)

401.52–2335.44