tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Pediatrics
. 2024 Nov 1;154(Suppl 3):e2024067043K.
doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-067043K. Characteristics of Children Ages 1-17 Who Died of COVID-19 in 2020-2022 in the United States
Heather K Dykstra[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Diane Pilkey[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Jordan Tautges[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Patricia G Schnitzer[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Abigael Collier[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sara B Kinsman[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Objectives: This study describes characteristics of children ages 1 to 17 years who died of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in 2020 to 2022 and whose deaths were reviewed by child death review (CDR) teams across the United States.
Methods: We used data in the National Fatality Review-Case Reporting System to examine children who died of COVID-19. Deaths were determined because of COVID-19 from death certificates or CDR determinations.
Results: A total of 183 children 1 to 17 years old who died of COVID-19 were reported in the National Fatality Review-Case Reporting System. One-third (33%) were 15- to 17-year-olds, and 26% were 1- to 4-year-olds. Fifty-six percent were reported as male, 54% white, 24% Black, and 18% Hispanic ethnicity. Physicians declared cause of death in at least 82% of deaths. More than two-thirds (68%) had a medical condition (excluding COVID-19) at time of death. The most common conditions were nervous system disorders (19%), congenital disorders (14%), obesity (12%), respiratory disorders (12%), and neurodevelopmental disorders (10%). Of children with an underlying condition, 35% had 3 or more conditions. Less than half (42%) had contact with a health care provider within a month of their death; and three-fourths died within 14 days of exposure.
Conclusions: This study describes the demographics, death investigation findings, and medical conditions of children who died of COVID-19. The results highlight the short timeline between COVID-19 exposure and death. Pandemic planning that prioritizes prevention efforts and timely access to effective medical care may result in saving children's lives.
. 2024 Nov 1;154(Suppl 3):e2024067043K.
doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-067043K. Characteristics of Children Ages 1-17 Who Died of COVID-19 in 2020-2022 in the United States
Heather K Dykstra[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Diane Pilkey[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Jordan Tautges[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Patricia G Schnitzer[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Abigael Collier[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sara B Kinsman[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 39484882
- DOI: 10.1542/peds.2024-067043K
Objectives: This study describes characteristics of children ages 1 to 17 years who died of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in 2020 to 2022 and whose deaths were reviewed by child death review (CDR) teams across the United States.
Methods: We used data in the National Fatality Review-Case Reporting System to examine children who died of COVID-19. Deaths were determined because of COVID-19 from death certificates or CDR determinations.
Results: A total of 183 children 1 to 17 years old who died of COVID-19 were reported in the National Fatality Review-Case Reporting System. One-third (33%) were 15- to 17-year-olds, and 26% were 1- to 4-year-olds. Fifty-six percent were reported as male, 54% white, 24% Black, and 18% Hispanic ethnicity. Physicians declared cause of death in at least 82% of deaths. More than two-thirds (68%) had a medical condition (excluding COVID-19) at time of death. The most common conditions were nervous system disorders (19%), congenital disorders (14%), obesity (12%), respiratory disorders (12%), and neurodevelopmental disorders (10%). Of children with an underlying condition, 35% had 3 or more conditions. Less than half (42%) had contact with a health care provider within a month of their death; and three-fourths died within 14 days of exposure.
Conclusions: This study describes the demographics, death investigation findings, and medical conditions of children who died of COVID-19. The results highlight the short timeline between COVID-19 exposure and death. Pandemic planning that prioritizes prevention efforts and timely access to effective medical care may result in saving children's lives.