Children at low risk of developing severe outcomes from COVID-19 infection: study

A small number of children in an international study that included Canadian researchers experienced severe outcomes after visiting an emergency room and testing positive for COVID-19.

Researchers found that about three per cent or 107 infected kids of 3,221 children had severe outcomes within 14 days of their ER visit. Just under 23 per cent were hospitalized and four children died.

Severe outcomes included cardiovascular complications, such as inflammation of the heart, as well as neurologic, respiratory or infectious problems.

Researchers also discovered that young infants were not at a higher risk for severe outcomes.

The study was co-led by the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine and two major U.S. hospitals. It was published inJAMA Network Open.

The children were 18 years old and younger and came from 10 countries, including Canada, the United States, Italy, Spain and Australia

The study spanned 41 emergency departments during the period fromMarch 7, 2020 toJune 15, 2021 spanning the first four waves of the pandemic but precedingthe Omicron-driven fifth wave.

"We found that older age, having a pre-existing chronic condition, and symptom duration were important risk factors for severe outcomes," Dr. Stephen Freedman said in a news release.

He was the study's co-lead and is a professor at the University of Calgary.

"Fortunately, the risk of developing severe disease in children with COVID-19 discharged from the emergency department is very low," added Dr. Todd Florin, director of research in emergency medicine at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

"Our findings can provide reassurance to parents and clinicians for children well enough to be managed in the community, while also providing important insights on which children may be at particular risk for severe outcomes."