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The clinical characteristics of pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 in 2020 in Japan

Tomohiro Katsuta1,2, Naoki Shimizu1,2, Kenji Okada1,3

  • 1The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Tokyo, Japan.

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|July 7, 2021
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 in children typically presents with mild or no symptoms. Controlling household transmission is key, as school closures had minimal impact on preventing pediatric COVID-19 spread.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic impacted all age groups, with children generally experiencing milder symptoms than adults.
  • This study is the first nationwide Japanese investigation into pediatric COVID-19 cases, including asymptomatic and mild presentations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pediatric COVID-19 cases in Japan.
  • To investigate COVID-19 transmission patterns among children.
  • To assess the impact of nationwide school closures on pediatric COVID-19 transmission.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 840 pediatric (<16 years) COVID-19 cases reported in Japan (February-December 2020).
  • Utilized a dedicated database maintained by the Japan Pediatric Society.
  • Examined epidemiological data, clinical characteristics, and transmission routes.

Main Results:

  • Nearly half (47.7%) of pediatric cases were asymptomatic; most others had mild symptoms.
  • 84.0% of cases were afebrile upon initial assessment.
  • Household transmission was the predominant route (72.5% exposed to infected members), unaffected by school closures.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric COVID-19 symptoms are generally less severe than adult cases.
  • Nationwide school closures demonstrated a limited effect on reducing COVID-19 transmission among children.
  • Preventing household transmission from adults is crucial for protecting children from COVID-19.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19epidemiologyhousehold contactpediatricsschool closure

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