Kids with preexisting illness at highest risk for severe COVID-19, deathChildren who had an underlying illness were at greatest risk for severe COVID-19 and death, but those who were vaccinated were fairly well protected, according to an observational study presented this week at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference & Exhibition in Anaheim, California.Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas analyzed the electronic health records of US COVID-19 patients aged 0 to 18 years from Mar 12, 2020, to Jan 20, 2022.Of 218,759 pediatric COVID-19 patients, 8,717 (4.0%) were hospitalized, admitted to an intensive care unit, needed ventilation, or died.
The strongest risk factor for a severe outcome was a preexisting illness (odds ratios [ORs], 2.27, 4.21, and 5.33 for ages 0 to 2, 3 to 10, and 11 to 18 years, respectively).
The OR of severe disease among recipients of at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose relative to no vaccination was 0.55 in the vaccine-eligible group, indicating 45% effectiveness.Children who lived in the southern United States were more likely than those in the Midwest to become severely ill (ORs for the Midwest, 0.28, 0.18, and 0.18 for ages 0 to 2, 3 to 10, and 11 to 18 years, respectively).
Other risk factors were unknown health insurance status, infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant, and Black race."Given the variance in child vaccination rates in the United States, we hope our research can inform outreach and other efforts to increase vaccination rates in children and adolescents, particularly in vulnerable regions and populations," lead author Lyndie Ho, a medical student, said in an AAP press release.Oct 7 AAP press releasePakistan and