August 17, 2020

COVID-19 in Children: Analysis of the First Pandemic Peak in England

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

• Ladhani et al. analyzed public health surveillance data including 540,305 people tested for SARS-CoV-2 in England through May 3, 2020 and found that 1408/35,200 (4%) tests were positive among children younger than 16, compared to 19%-35% positive among adult age groups. Children accounted for 1.1% of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases. These included 8 deaths among children, three of whom had multiple co-morbidities and an additional four in whom SARS-CoV-2 was determined to be an indirect contributor to death from another cause. There was no evidence of excess mortality in children during this period.  

Ladhani et al. (Aug 12, 2020). COVID-19 in Children: Analysis of the First Pandemic Peak in England. Archives of Disease in Childhood. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2020-320042