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
Category: Article Summary
Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting
- 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