Objective
To characterize the demographic and clinical features of pediatric SARS-CoV-2 syndromes and identify admission variables predictive of disease severity.
Study design
We conducted a multicenter, retrospective and prospective study of pediatric patients hospitalized with acute SARS-CoV-2 infections and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) at eight sites in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Results
We identified 281 hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections and divided them into three groups based on clinical features. Overall, 143 (51%) had respiratory disease, 69 (25%) had MIS-C, and 69 (25%) had other manifestations including gastrointestinal illness or fever. Patients with MIS-C were more likely to identify as non-Hispanic black compared with patients with respiratory disease (35% versus 18%,
P
=.02). Seven patients (2%) died and 114 (41%) were admitted to the ICU. In multivariable analyses, obesity (OR=3.39, 95% CI:1.26-9.10,
P
=.02) and hypoxia on admission (OR=4.01; 95% CI:1.14-14.15;
P
=.03) were predictive of severe respiratory disease. Lower absolute lymphocyte count (OR=8.33 per unit decrease in 10
9
cells/L, 95% CI:2.32-33.33,
P
=.001) and higher C-reactive protein (OR=1.06 per unit increase in mg/dL, 95% CI:1.01-1.12,
P
=.017) were predictive of severe MIS-C. Race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status were not predictive of disease severity.
Conclusions
We identified variables at the time of hospitalization that may help predict the development of severe SARS-CoV-2 disease manifestations in children and youth. These variables may have implications for future prognostic tools that inform hospital admission and clinical management.
OBJECTIVES:
Understanding the risk factors, predictors, and clinical presentation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pediatric patients with severe disease.
METHODS:
We conducted a retrospective chart review of pediatric patients admitted between March 1, 2020, and May 31, 2020, to a large health network in New Jersey with positive test results for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, rapid testing, or serum immunoglobulin G testing; we included demographic characteristics, clinical features, and outcomes.
RESULTS:
A total of 81 patients ≤21 years old were admitted with positive test results for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and/or serum immunoglobulin testing. Sixty-seven patients (82.7%) were admitted for management of acute COVID-19 infection, whereas 14 (17.3%) were admitted for management of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Of the 81 hospitalized patients, 28 (34.6%) required intensive care. A majority of patients (42 [51.9%]) admitted for both acute COVID-19 infection and MIS-C were Hispanic. Underlying chronic health conditions were not present in most patients. Obesity (mean BMI of 41.1) was noted in the patients with MIS-C requiring ICU care, although not statistically significant. Absolute lymphopenia and elevated levels of inflammatory markers were statistically significant in the patients with MIS-C treated in the ICU.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study adds to the growing literature of potential risk factors for severe disease in pediatric patients due to COVID-19 infection and MIS-C. Patients of Hispanic ethnicity represented the majority of patients with both acute COVID-19 infection and MIS-C, despite only representing 10% to 20% of the population our hospitals serve. Infants and patients with chronic health conditions were not at increased risk for severe disease. Absolute lymphopenia and elevated levels of inflammatory markers were associated with more severe disease.
This is a retrospective chart review of 20 patients treated with a consensus driven treatment algorithm in MIS-C patients across a wide clinical spectrum. Their treatments and clinical status are described, as well as their favorable return to functional baseline by 30 days post presentation.
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