COVID-19 hospitalization rate in children across a private hospital network in the United States: COVID-19 hospitalization rate in children

OBJECTIVESThere are limited studies with varying results evaluating the rate of hospitalizations of pediatric patients tested for COVID-19 in the United States. More information in the pediatric COVID-19 literature is needed. The objective of this study was to describe the rates of positive tests, hospitalization, severe disease, and mortality for COVID-19 in children. MATERIAL AND METHODSWe performed a retrospective analysis of data collected from a data warehouse from 184 hospitals across the United States. All cases of pediatric patients who were tested for COVID-19 were analyzed for test positivity, hospitalization, severe disease, and mortality. A separate subgroup analysis for ages < 1 year, 1-4 years, 5-8 years, 9-14 years, and 15-17 years was performed. RESULTSOf 24,781 patient encounters, we found a test positivity rate of 11.15% (95% CI: 10.76-11.55). There were 142 admissions out of the 2,709 symptomatic patients, 5.24% (95% CI: 4.43-6.15) admission rate. Of those admitted, we found that 54.93% (78/142) were admitted to the PICU, but only 22 of the 142 admissions, 15.49% (95% CI: 9.97-22.51), were determined to have severe COVID-19 disease. One patient died during the study period giving an overall pediatric mortality rate of 0.04% (95% CI: 0.00-0.21). CONCLUSIONIn our sample, we found a test positivity rate of 11.15%. We also report a 5.24% hospitalization rate with 15.49% of admitted patients with severe disease. Lastly, we also report a very low mortality rate of 0.04% of all patients who tested positive for COVID-19.