Paediatric critical COVID-19 and mortality in a multinational prospective cohort

Abstract

Summary: Background: To understand critical paediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and evaluate factors associated with mortality in children from high and low-middle income countries. Methods: Prospective, observational study of critically ill children hospitalised for COVID-19 in 18 countries throughout North America, Latin America, and Europe between April 1 and December 31, 2020. Associations with mortality were evaluated using logistic regression. Findings: 557 patients (median age, 8 years; 24% 2 years old. Interpretation: We identified factors associated with COVID-19 mortality in critically ill children from both high and low-middle income countries, including higher mortality with younger age and COVID-related pulmonary disease but lower mortality in MIS-C. Further research is needed on optimal treatments for younger children and respiratory failure in paediatric COVID-19. Funding: None.

Keywords

• Paediatric intensive care unit
• COVID-19
• Outcomes
• Mortality
• Epidemiology