To conduct the study, researchers analyzed information from 869 medical facilities that provided discharge data to the Premier Healthcare Database Special COVID-19 Release. Specifically, they evaluated patients aged 18 and younger who had an inpatient or emergency department encounter with a primary or secondary COVID-19 discharge diagnosis between March 1 and Oct. 31, 2020.
Nearly 12 percent of pediatric COVID-19 patients, or 2,430, were hospitalized. Of those hospitalized, 31.1 percent experienced a severe infection, meaning they required admission to an intensive care unit or mechanical ventilation, findings showed.
Researchers also found severe COVID-19 occurred more often in children aged 2-11, compared to older children, in male patients and among patients with one or more chronic conditions.
“Although most children with COVID-19 experience mild illness, some children develop serious illness that leads to hospitalization, use of mechanical ventilation, and death,” the study said. “Understanding factors associated with severe COVID-19 among children could help inform prevention and control strategies.”
To view the full study, click here.
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