A Description of COVID-19-Directed Therapy in Children Admitted to US Intensive Care Units 2020.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-30-2022

Identifier

DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piab123; PMCID: PMC8807297

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It is unclear how acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-directed therapies are used in children with life-threatening COVID-19 in US hospitals. We described characteristics of children hospitalized in the intensive care unit or step-down unit (ICU/SDU) who received COVID-19-directed therapies and the specific therapies administered.

METHODS: Between March 15, 2020 and December 27, 2020, children/SDU with acute COVID-19 at 48 pediatric hospitals in the United States were identified. Demographics, laboratory values, and clinical course were compared in children who did and did not receive COVID-19-directed therapies. Trends in COVID-19-directed therapies over time were evaluated.

RESULTS: Of 424 children in the ICU/SDU, 235 (55%) received COVID-19-directed therapies. Children who received COVID-19-directed therapies were older than those who did not receive COVID-19-directed therapies (13.3 [5.6-16.2] vs 9.8 [0.65-15.9] years), more had underlying medical conditions (188 [80%] vs 104 [55%]; difference = 25% [95% CI: 16% to 34%]), more received respiratory support (206 [88%] vs 71 [38%]; difference = 50% [95% CI: 34% to 56%]), and more died (8 [3.4%] vs 0). Of the 235 children receiving COVID-19-directed therapies, 172 (73%) received systemic steroids and 150 (64%) received remdesivir, with rising remdesivir use over the study period (14% in March/April to 57% November/December).

CONCLUSION: Despite the lack of pediatric data evaluating treatments for COVID-19 in critically ill children, more than half of children requiring intensive or high acuity care received COVID-19-directed therapies.

Journal Title

J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc

Volume

11

Issue

5

First Page

191

Last Page

198

MeSH Keywords

COVID-19; Child; Critical Illness; Hospitalization; Hospitals, Pediatric; Humans; Intensive Care Units; United States

Keywords

COVID-19; intensive care unit; pediatric; remdesivir; treatment

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