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.



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.


==========================================================================


Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210915135150.htm

--- up 1 week, 6 days, 8 hours, 25 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)