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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we are learning more about clinical presentations in various populations. This CDC report provides a summary of pediatric patients with COVID-19 in the U.S.
Researchers examined almost 150,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 between February 12 and April 2. Of these, 2572 (1.7%) were <18 years old, and 33% of pediatric cases were from New York City. For cases with available information, findings include:
Median age was 11 years (range, >1 to 17 years).
73% of children had the classic COVID-19 symptoms (fever [56%], cough [54%], shortness of breath [13%]) versus 93% of adults.
Other symptoms noted in children included sore throat (24%), headache (28%), and myalgias (23%), all at lower frequencies than reported in adults.
Hospitalizations were lower for children (5.7%) than for adults aged 18 to 64 years (10%), including fewer intensive care unit admissions.
68% of children had no symptoms (there was incomplete symptom reporting).
23% of children had an underlying condition, including asthma, immunosuppression, and cardiovascular disease.
CDC COVID-19 Response Team.Coronavirus disease 2019 in children — United States, February 12–April 2, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020 Apr 6; [e-pub]. (http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6914e4)
Comment
Although data were available for only a minority of pediatric COVID-19 cases, this report provides a glimpse into the clinical characteristics of the disease in children. Consistent with findings from other countries, U.S. children appear to have fewer symptoms and less-frequent need for hospitalization than adults. As with other respiratory viruses, including influenza, children are probably asymptomatic reservoirs of disease, perpetuating continued spread in the community. Given this, enforcement of social distancing remains a key intervention for slowing the spread of this novel virus.