National trend of COVID-19 cases in children
1. Children represented a growing percentage of total COVID-19 cases
2. Hospitalization and death remained low amongst children with COVID-19
Evidence Rating Level: 3 (Average)
Study Rundown: While reported data regarding COVID-19 in adults has been robust, less resources are available regarding COVID-19 in children. This study analyzed public US State Health Department data regarding COVID-19 cases in children from April 16th through September 10th, 2020. On average, there were 729 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 children in the USA. The percentage of pediatric cases rose from less than 3 percent in April to over 10 percent by September. Consistent with the general geographic profile of COVID-19, cases in children shifted from the Northeast in April to the Midwest by July. Despite the growing percentage of total cases, children have consistently made up only 2 percent of hospitalizations and 0.01 percent of deaths related to COVID-19. This data is limited by variation in each state’s case reporting, and it is unclear how much of the increase in cases can be attributed overall increased testing capacity.
Click to read the study, published today in Pediatrics
Relevant Reading: Hospitalization Rates and Characteristics of Patients Hospitalized with Laboratory Confirmed COVID-19
Image: PD
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