Factors associated with the occurrence of COVID-19 in the pediatric population in hospital settings: a case-control...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• COVID-19 significantly impacts the pediatric population, necessitating an understanding of risk factors.
• Hospitalized children present unique challenges in managing and understanding SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and analyze factors associated with the occurrence of COVID-19 in hospitalized children under 14 years of age.
• To provide data for targeted interventions and improved clinical management of pediatric COVID-19 cases.

Main Methods:

• A paired case-control study design was employed using medical records of 486 children.
• Cases were children with positive COVID-19 tests, controls were those with negative tests, matched 1:1.
• Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Factors associated with COVID-19 occurrence included specific racial/ethnic groups (brown, black, yellow, indigenous children).
• Hospitalization in the emergency room or Intensive Care Unit, mask use, oxygen support, antimicrobials, and corticosteroids were linked to COVID-19.
• Symptoms such as fever, anorexia, cough, runny nose, and the presence of comorbidities were significantly associated with the outcome.

Conclusions:

• This study highlights key factors associated with COVID-19 in hospitalized children.
• Findings underscore the importance of considering race, hospitalization setting, specific symptoms (anorexia, runny nose), comorbidities, and corticosteroid use in pediatric COVID-19 management.