Severe COVID-19 Infection and Pediatric Comorbidities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Autor: Boyan K. Tsankov, Joannie M. Allaire, Michael A. Irvine, Alison A. Lopez, Laura J. Sauvé, Bruce A. Vallance, Kevan Jacobson
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Vol 103, Iss , Pp 246-256 (2021)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1201-9712
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.11.163
Popis: Objective: There is limited information on the severity of COVID-19 infection in children with comorbidities. We investigated the effects of pediatric comorbidities on COVID-19 severity by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis of published literature. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Medline databases were searched for publications on pediatric COVID-19 infections published January 1st to October 5th, 2020. Articles describing at least one child with and without comorbidities, COVID-19 infection, and reported outcomes were included. Results: 42 studies containing 275,661 children without comorbidities and 9,353 children with comorbidities were included. Severe COVID-19 was present in 5.1% of children with comorbidities, and in 0.2% without comorbidities. Random-effects analysis revealed a higher risk of severe COVID-19 among children with comorbidities than for healthy children; relative risk ratio 1.79 (95% CI 1.27 – 2.51; I2 = 94%). Children with underlying conditions also had a higher risk of COVID-19-associated mortality; relative risk ratio 2.81 (95% CI 1.31 – 6.02; I2 = 82%). Children with obesity had a relative risk ratio of 2.87 (95% CI 1.16 – 7.07; I2 = 36%). Conclusions: Children with comorbidities have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 and associated mortality than children without underlying disease. Additional studies are required to further evaluate this relationship.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals