Trends in Disease Severity Among Critically Ill Children With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study in the United States.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To describe trends in critical illness from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that PICU admission rates were higher in the Omicron period compared with the original outbreak but that fewer patients needed endotracheal intubation.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

This study took place in nine U.S. PICUs over 3 weeks in January 2022 (Omicron period) compared with 3 weeks in March 2020 (original period).

Patients

Patients less than or equal to 21 years old who screened positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection by polymerase chain reaction or hospital-based rapid antigen test and were admitted to a PICU or intermediate care unit were included.

SUBMITTER: Ross CE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9798852 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature