In:
Hospital Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Vol. 12, No. 9 ( 2022-09-01), p. 760-783
Abstract:
To describe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related pediatric hospitalizations during a period of B.1.617.2 (Δ) variant predominance and to determine age-specific factors associated with severe illness. METHODS We abstracted data from medical charts to conduct a cross-sectional study of patients aged & lt;21 years hospitalized at 6 United States children’s hospitals from July to August 2021 for COVID-19 or with an incidental positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 test. Among patients with COVID-19, we assessed factors associated with severe illness by calculating age-stratified prevalence ratios (PR). We defined severe illness as receiving high-flow nasal cannula, positive airway pressure, or invasive mechanical ventilation. RESULTS Of 947 hospitalized patients, 759 (80.1%) had COVID-19, of whom 287 (37.8%) had severe illness. Factors associated with severe illness included coinfection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (PR 3.64) and bacteria (PR 1.88) in infants; RSV coinfection in patients aged 1 to 4 years (PR 1.96); and obesity in patients aged 5 to 11 (PR 2.20) and 12 to 17 years (PR 2.48). Having ≥2 underlying medical conditions was associated with severe illness in patients aged & lt;1 (PR 1.82), 5 to 11 (PR 3.72), and 12 to 17 years (PR 3.19). CONCLUSIONS Among patients hospitalized for COVID-19, factors associated with severe illness included RSV coinfection in those aged & lt;5 years, obesity in those aged 5 to 17 years, and other underlying conditions for all age groups & lt;18 years. These findings can inform pediatric practice, risk communication, and prevention strategies, including vaccination against COVID-19.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2154-1663
,
2154-1671
DOI:
10.1542/hpeds.2022-006613
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Publication Date:
2022
Permalink
