Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 29, 2025

Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Adjuvant Efficacy and Safety of Angong Niuhuang Pill in Viral Encephalitis Treatment
08:36

Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Adjuvant Efficacy and Safety of Angong Niuhuang Pill in Viral Encephalitis Treatment

Published on: April 19, 2024

921

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

Boyan K Tsankov1, Joannie M Allaire2, Michael A Irvine3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada; BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

International Journal of Infectious Diseases : IJID : Official Publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
|November 23, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Children with underlying health conditions face a higher risk of severe COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) and related mortality. This systematic review highlights the increased vulnerability of pediatric patients with comorbidities.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Limited data exists on the severity of COVID-19 in children with pre-existing health conditions.
  • Understanding the impact of comorbidities on pediatric COVID-19 outcomes is crucial for clinical management and public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze published literature on the effects of pediatric comorbidities on COVID-19 severity.
  • To quantify the risk of severe COVID-19 and associated mortality in children with underlying health conditions.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Medline databases was conducted for studies published between January 1 and October 5, 2020.
  • Included studies compared outcomes of pediatric COVID-19 patients with and without comorbidities.
  • Data extraction and random-effects meta-analysis were performed to assess relative risks.

Main Results:

  • The analysis included 42 studies with over 285,000 children. Children with comorbidities had a 1.79 times higher risk of severe COVID-19 compared to healthy children.
  • Children with comorbidities showed a 2.81 times higher risk of COVID-19-associated mortality.
  • Obesity was associated with a 2.87 times higher risk of severe COVID-19 in children.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric patients with comorbidities are at significantly increased risk for severe COVID-19 and mortality.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the relationship between specific comorbidities and COVID-19 severity in children.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19ComorbidityCoronavirusMeta-AnalysisPediatrics

More Related Videos

Nasal Brushing Sampling and Processing Using Digital High Speed Ciliary Videomicroscopy – Adaptation for the COVID-19 Pandemic09:03

Nasal Brushing Sampling and Processing Using Digital High Speed Ciliary Videomicroscopy – Adaptation for the COVID-19 Pandemic

Published on: November 7, 2020

5.2K
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses03:53

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses

Published on: November 10, 2023

1.6K

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
93
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
117
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
649
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
121
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight,...
141
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology01:29

Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
2.0K