Study Finds High Rates of Pediatric Hospitalizations Linked to SARS-CoV-2 Infection in England
A recent study published in The BMJ has shed light on the hospital admissions associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in pediatric patients. The study, which analyzed data from over 3.2 million first ascertained infections in children and adolescents in England, provides important insights into how COVID-19 affects children and the factors that contribute to their hospitalization.
Despite pediatric hospitalization with SARS-CoV-2 being rare, the study found that infection rates have been high among children and adolescents, particularly those with underlying comorbidities. One of the key findings was that the rates of pediatric hospitalizations during the second wave of COVID-19 were higher than during the first wave. It is important to note that the health implications of these hospitalizations remain unclear.
The study utilized various datasets, including information from nationwide laboratory-based testing, primary care records, and hospital episode statistics. The findings were stratified based on different periods of viral variants of concern, such as the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants. The study also identified certain conditions that put pediatric patients at a greater risk of SARS-CoV-2-associated hospitalization.
The study revealed that 0.9% of pediatric patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection required hospitalization. The median duration of hospitalization was two days, with a small percentage of patients requiring admission to critical care units. Additionally, the study found that male participants, younger children under five years of age, individuals from minority ethnicities, and those living in high-deprivation areas were more likely to be hospitalized.
Furthermore, the study highlighted the importance of vaccination in protecting pediatric patients from severe infection. The majority of hospitalized individuals were not vaccinated, and those requiring intensive care had an even higher proportion of unvaccinated individuals.
The findings also showed a decrease in the percentage of pediatric patients with severe infection during the Omicron variant dominance compared to previous variants. This decline was attributed to a reduced rate of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) diagnoses.
The study concluded that most COVID-19-related hospitalizations in pediatric patients in England were either primarily due to COVID-19 or had SARS-CoV-2 infection as a contributing factor to the underlying medical condition requiring hospitalization.
These findings emphasize the importance of continued research and public health efforts to protect children from SARS-CoV-2 infection and its associated complications. Vaccination and preventive measures remain crucial in reducing the risk of severe illness in pediatric patients.