The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on pediatric hospitalization in Kitami, Japan

Abstract

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has drastically changed the recommended activities and environment for patients worldwide. Our aim was to assess the impact of COVID‐19 on pediatric hospitalizations in Kitami, Japan. Methods A retrospective, single‐center study was conducted on hospitalized patients aged 0–14 years at the Japanese Red Cross Kitami Hospital. We compared the incidence of pediatric patients hospitalized in 2020 with those in 2017–2019. Results The number of pediatric hospitalized patients dropped significantly in 2020 compared to that in 2017–2019 (median 43.0 vs 78.5 per month, P < 0.001). The patients were significantly older in 2020 (4.3 vs 3.4 years, P < 0.001). Hospitalization from respiratory (8.5 vs 30.5, P < 0.001) and gastrointestinal infections (3.0 vs 6.0, P = 0.004) significantly decreased. Admission due to respiratory syncytial virus (0.0 vs 4.0, P < 0.001), human metapneumovirus (0.0 vs 1.0, P = 0.005), influenza (0.0 vs 0.0, P = 0.009), adenovirus (0.0 vs 1.0, P = 0.003), and rotavirus infection (0.0 vs 0.0, P = 0.025) also decreased significantly. The <1–5 age groups significantly decreased (<1 year old, 6.5 vs 12.5, P < 0.001; 1–3 years old, 13.0 vs 29.5, P < 0.001; 4–5 years old, 5.5 vs 11.5, P < 0.001). Hospitalization due to foreign body ingestions increased significantly in 2020 (1.0 vs 0.0, P = 0.010). Conclusions The COVID‐19 control measures inadvertently reduced the number of hospitalized pediatric patients, especially younger children with respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.

The Effect of COVID-19 Stay-At-Home Orders on the Rate of Pediatric Foreign Body Ingestions

“…18 Although our study did not show an increase in the absolute number of foreign body presentations, other studies performed in Italy, Britain and Japan have shown an increase throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily with magnet and button battery ingestions as well as with overall hospitalization. [18][19][20] Furthermore, our study demonstrated that foreign body ingestions remain a common presenting complaint even throughout a pandemic and EDs should be equipped to manage them.…”

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Pediatric Hospitalization in the COVID-19 Era

“…Regardless of the continent in which the study was performed, most reports agreed on a decreased occurrence of RSV pediatric hospitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic period compared to previous seasons [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Later, many countries experienced delayed RSV peaks, leading to unseasonal outbreaks and hospitalizations [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Of note, among inpatients, RSV disease has been described as more severe than in the past and may have more frequently required oxygen supplementation or intensive care assistance [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 19 , 20 ].…”

“…In conclusion, 18 records were included in the revision [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. The included studies analyze RSV pediatric hospitalization in COVID-19 era in Asia [ 5 ], America [ 2 ], Europe [ 7 ], and Oceania [ 4 ].…”

“…The included reports had been analyzed and the main highlights are presented in the table [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ] ( Table 1 ).…”

“…A drastic reduction in respiratory viruses’ circulation, including RSV, and hospitalization in the 2020–2021 season have been observed in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres [ 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 21 ]. The rate of PICU admission, as well as of ward hospitalization, decreased in pediatric patients affected by RSV.…”