Addressing the global burden of paediatric critical COVID-19 and mortality

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Satoshi Kamidani, Emory University; Christina Rostad, Emory University; Evan Anderson, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-08-01
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2022 The Author(s)
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lana.2022.100301
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: The Lancet Regional Health - Americas
• Volume: 12
• Start Page: 100301
• End Page: 100301
• Keywords: COVID-19; mortality
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Over two years into the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, data demonstrate a profound impact of COVID-19 upon children. In the U.S., children comprise more than 15% of all diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infections, and about one-quarter of those requiring hospitalization with COVID-19 also require ICU care.1 To date, over 1000 U.S. children have died with COVID-19, which far exceeds annual seasonal influenza-related deaths (≤200/season).2,3 Global data are more limited, but an estimated 90% of paediatric mortality due to COVID-19 is observed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with much of this risk concentrated among children <1 year of age.4 Important questions remain, including what are the clinical characteristics and outcomes of critical paediatric COVID-19 globally? What are risk factors for death among children with critical COVID-19, and can they be modified?