New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

Older age, chronic co-morbidities associated with more severe COVID disease in children

Date:
September 15, 2021
Source:
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Summary:
A recent study determined the factors associated with severe disease and poor health outcomes among children presenting to the hospital with COVID. These included older age and chronic co-morbidities such as obesity, diabetes and neurologic conditions, among others.
Share:
FULL STORY

Over the course of the pandemic, researchers nationwide noticed differences in COVID-19 disease between children and adults.

While risk factors for hospitalization and poor outcomes are well documented in adults, less is known about the clinical factors associated with COVID disease severity in children.

In an effort to aid mitigation strategies for children who are at high risk of developing severe COVID disease, a group of physicians at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt studied data from 45 children's hospitals around the country -- 20,000 patients were included.

"This is one of the largest multicenter studies of children with COVID-19 in the United States," said James Antoon, MD, PhD, FAAP, assistant professor of Pediatrics at Children's Hospital and lead author of the study.

"And given the recent, concerning increases in COVID cases nationwide and the fact that the vast majority of children remain unvaccinated and susceptible, these findings should be taken into account when considering preventive strategies in schools and planning vaccinations when available for children less than 12 years of age," he said.

The study, "Factors Associated with COVID-19 Disease Severity in U.S. Children," published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, determined the factors associated with severe disease and poor health outcomes among children presenting to the hospital with COVID. These included older age and chronic co-morbidities such as obesity, diabetes and neurologic conditions, among others.

"These factors help identify vulnerable children who are most likely to require hospitalization or develop severe COVID-19 disease," said Antoon. "Our findings also highlight children who should be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccines when approved by the FDA."

The retrospective cohort study noted that approximately 1 out of every 4 children admitted to the hospital with COVID developed severe disease and required ICU care during April and September, 2020.

"Across the country there is a raging debate on how best to protect children and schools from COVID-19," said Antoon. "Some children are at increased risk for more severe disease and many of them are not yet eligible for vaccination against COVID.

"With schools opening and some already in session, these children need to be protected by vaccinating as many people as possible while also using practical strategies to limit spread, such as masking, distancing and ventilation."

Study investigators hope that the findings will buoy mitigation efforts that proved most beneficial for children and adolescents during the pandemic, including remote learning, social distancing, hand-washing and mask-wearing both for students and teachers.


Story Source:

Materials provided by Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Original written by Jessica Pasley. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. James W Antoon, Carlos G Grijalva, Cary Thurm, Troy Richardson, Alicen B Spaulding, Ronald J Teufel II, Mario A Reyes, Samir S Shah, Julianne E Burns, Chén C Kenyon, Adam L Hersh, Derek J Williams. Factors Associated With COVID-19 Disease Severity in US Children and Adolescents. Journal of Hospital Medicine, 2021; 16 (10) DOI: 10.12788/jhm.3689

Cite This Page:

Vanderbilt University Medical Center. "Older age, chronic co-morbidities associated with more severe COVID disease in children." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 15 September 2021. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210915135150.htm>.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center. (2021, September 15). Older age, chronic co-morbidities associated with more severe COVID disease in children. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 8, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210915135150.htm
Vanderbilt University Medical Center. "Older age, chronic co-morbidities associated with more severe COVID disease in children." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210915135150.htm (accessed December 8, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES