Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

May 12, 2020

Characteristics and Outcomes of Children With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Infection Admitted to US and Canadian Pediatric Intensive Care Units

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  • Shekerdemian et al. conducted a descriptive study among children with COVID-19 admitted to 46 PICUs in North America between mid-March and early April, 2020 (N=48). They found mean age was 13, 83% had significant pre-existing comorbidities, 38% required invasive ventilation, and 23% had failure of 2 or more organ systems. While 4% had died at the time the study concluded, 15 patients (31%) remained hospitalized and three (6%) remained on ventilator support. Targeted treatments were used in 61% of patients, with hydroxychloroquine, alone or in combination, being most commonly used. The median PICU and hospital lengths of stay for those who were discharged was 5 and 7 days, respectively.   

Shekerdemian et al. (May 11, 2020). Characteristics and Outcomes of Children With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Infection Admitted to US and Canadian Pediatric Intensive Care Units. JAMA Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.1948