Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
More Than 1 In 10 Children With Covid Are Hospitalized
Among a cohort of 20,714 US children with COVID-19, more than 1 in 10 were hospitalized, of whom 31.1% (756) had severe COVID-19, defined as requiring admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), mechanical ventilation, or comparable treatment, according to a research letter late last week in JAMA Network Open. The study found that 2,430 (11.7%) of the 20,714 children who had an emergency department or inpatient encounter were hospitalized with COVID-19. (4/12)
At least five hospitals in the U.S. have started pediatric long-haul clinics to help kids with lingering COVID-19 illness as the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mount a massive, nationwide study of long-haul COVID that includes children. While many children do not experience severe COVID-19 illness, the coronavirus can have a lasting and serious impact on their health. At the request of CBS News, one hospital in Omaha documented how it is trying to help a girl who is struggling with the lingering effects of the virus. (4/12)
Children may transmit COVID-19 infections less than adults do, according to a study late last week in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ). The researchers looked at viral samples from 305 children and adults infected with COVID-19 in Manitoba and found that children's samples had lower viral growth in cultures and higher cycle threshold (Ct) values, indicating less viral load. Samples were collected March to December 2020 and represent 1.5% of positive COVID samples in Manitoba at the time and 7.2% of the province's positive samples in children. Children were more likely to be symptomatic (37.7% vs 6.9%). For symptomatic children, the researchers note, the duration between symptom onset and testing was not associated with viral culture results. (4/12)
