Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

June 4, 2021

Hospitalization of Adolescents Aged 12–17 Years with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 — COVID-NET, 14 States, March 1, 2020–April 24, 2021

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  • A review of COVID-19 associated hospitalizations among adolescents aged 12-17 years (N=204) found that the rate of hospitalization peaked at 2.1 per 100,000 in early January 2021, declined to 0.6 in mid-March, and rose to 1.3 in April. Among hospitalized adolescents, nearly 1 in 3 required ICU admission, 5% required invasive mechanical ventilation, and no deaths occurred. The rate of hospitalization was lower than among adults 18 year or older, but higher than among children aged 5-11 and exceeded seasonal influenza-associated hospitalizations during comparable periods. The authors state that it is important to note that adolescents who met the COVID-19 case definition but were hospitalized for reasons not related to COVID-19 were included in rate calculations, potentially overestimating hospitalization rates. 

Havers et al. (June 4, 2021). Hospitalization of Adolescents Aged 12–17 Years with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 — COVID-NET, 14 States, March 1, 2020–April 24, 2021. MMWR. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7023e1