Dataset Information

Changing Epidemiology of COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents Over Four Successive Epidemic Waves in South Africa, 2020-2022.

ABSTRACT:

Background

South Africa experienced four waves of SARS-CoV-2 infection, dominated by Wuhan-Hu, Beta, Delta, and Omicron (BA.1/BA.2). We describe the trends in SARS-CoV-2 testing, cases, admissions, and deaths among children and adolescents in South Africa over successive waves.

Methods

We analyzed national SARS-CoV-2 testing, case, and admissions data from March 2020 to February 2022 and estimated cumulative rates by age group for each endpoint. The severity in the third versus the fourth wave was assessed using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Individuals ≤18 years comprised 35% (21,008,060/60,142,978) of the population but only 12% (424,394/3,593,644) of cases and 6% (26,176/451,753) of admissions. Among individuals ≤18 years, infants had the highest admission (505/100,000) rates. Testing, case, and admission rates generally increased successively in the second (Beta) and third (Delta) waves among all age groups. In the fourth (Omicron BA.1/BA.2) wave, the case rate dropped among individuals ≥1 year but increased among those <1 year. Weekly admission rates for children <1 year (169/100,000) exceeded rates in adults (124/100,000) in the fourth wave. The odds of severe COVID-19 in all admitted cases were lower in the fourth wave versus the third wave in each age group, but they were twice as high in admitted cases with at least one comorbidity than those without.

Conclusions

The admission rate for children <5 years was higher in the fourth wave than in previous waves, but the overall outcomes were less severe. However, children with at least one comorbidity had increased odds of severe disease, warranting consideration of prioritizing this group for vaccination.

SUBMITTER: Chiwandire N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10112681 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Changing Epidemiology of COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents Over Four Successive Epidemic Waves in South Africa, 2020-2022.

Chiwandire Nicola N Jassat Waasila W Groome Michelle M Kufa Tendesayi T Walaza Sibongile S Wolter Nicole N von Gottberg Anne A Zar Heather J HJ Reubenson Gary G Tempia Stefano S Ebonwu Joy J Govender Nevashan N Ntshoe Genevie G Shonhiwa Andronica Moipone AM Blumberg Lucille L Cohen Cheryl C

Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society 20230401 3

<h4>Background</h4>South Africa experienced four waves of SARS-CoV-2 infection, dominated by Wuhan-Hu, Beta, Delta, and Omicron (BA.1/BA.2). We describe the trends in SARS-CoV-2 testing, cases, admissions, and deaths among children and adolescents in South Africa over successive waves.<h4>Methods</h4>We analyzed national SARS-CoV-2 testing, case, and admissions data from March 2020 to February 2022 and estimated cumulative rates by age group for each endpoint. The severity in the third versus th ...[more]

PMID: 36648247

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Dataset Information

Changing Epidemiology of COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents Over Four Successive Epidemic Waves in South Africa, 2020-2022.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Changing Epidemiology of COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents Over Four Successive Epidemic Waves in South Africa, 2020-2022.

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