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Risk factors for severe COVID-19 in hospitalized children in Canada: A national prospective study from March 2020-May 2021.


ABSTRACT:

Background

Children living with chronic comorbid conditions are at increased risk for severe COVID-19, though there is limited evidence regarding the risks associated with specific conditions and which children may benefit from targeted COVID-19 therapies. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with severe disease among hospitalized children with COVID-19 in Canada.

Methods

We conducted a national prospective study on hospitalized children with microbiologically confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection via the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program (CPSP) from April 2020-May 2021. Cases were reported voluntarily by a network of >2800 paediatricians. Hospitalizations were classified as COVID-19-related, incidental infection, or infection control/social admissions. Severe disease (among COVID-19-related hospitalizations only) was defined as disease requiring intensive care, ventilatory or hemodynamic support, select organ system complications, or death. Risk factors for severe disease were identified using multivariable Poisson regression, adjusting for age, sex, concomitant infections, and timing of hospitalization.

Findings

We identified 544 children hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infection, including 60·7% with COVID-19-related disease and 39·3% with incidental infection or infection control/social admissions. Among COVID-19-related hospitalizations (n=330), the median age was 1·9 years (IQR 0·1-13·3) and 43·0% had chronic comorbid conditions. Severe disease occurred in 29·7% of COVID-19-related hospitalizations (n=98/330 including 60 admitted to intensive care), most frequently among children aged 2-4 years (48·7%) and 12-17 years (41·3%). Comorbid conditions associated with severe disease included pre-existing technology dependence requirements (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 2·01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1·37-2·95), body mass index Z-scores ≥3 (aRR 1·90, 95% CI 1·10-3·28), neurologic conditions (e.g. epilepsy and select chromosomal/genetic conditions) (aRR 1·84, 95% CI 1·32-2·57), and pulmonary conditions (e.g. bronchopulmonary dysplasia and uncontrolled asthma) (aRR 1·63, 95% CI 1·12-2·39).

Interpretation

While severe outcomes were detected at all ages and among patients with and without comorbidities, neurologic and pulmonary conditions as well as technology dependence were associated with increased risk of severe COVID-19. These findings may help guide vaccination programs and prioritize targeted COVID-19 therapies for children.

Funding

Financial support for the CPSP was received from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

SUBMITTER: Farrar DS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9342862 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Risk factors for severe COVID-19 in hospitalized children in Canada: A national prospective study from March 2020-May 2021.

Farrar Daniel S DS   Drouin Olivier O   Moore Hepburn Charlotte C   Baerg Krista K   Chan Kevin K   Cyr Claude C   Donner Elizabeth J EJ   Embree Joanne E JE   Farrell Catherine C   Forgie Sarah S   Giroux Ryan R   Kang Kristopher T KT   King Melanie M   Laffin Thibodeau Melanie M   Orkin Julia J   Ouldali Naïm N   Papenburg Jesse J   Pound Catherine M CM   Price Victoria E VE   Proulx-Gauthier Jean-Philippe JP   Purewal Rupeena R   Ricci Christina C   Sadarangani Manish M   Salvadori Marina I MI   Thibeault Roseline R   Top Karina A KA   Viel-Thériault Isabelle I   Kakkar Fatima F   Morris Shaun K SK  

Lancet regional health. Americas 20220801


<h4>Background</h4>Children living with chronic comorbid conditions are at increased risk for severe COVID-19, though there is limited evidence regarding the risks associated with specific conditions and which children may benefit from targeted COVID-19 therapies. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with severe disease among hospitalized children with COVID-19 in Canada.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a national prospective study on hospitalized children with microbiologi  ...[more]

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