Study Examines Which Kids Are at a Higher Risk of Severe COVID

Key TakeawaysResearchers determined several factors that put children at a higher risk for severe COVID-19.Children with underlying health conditions are more likely to develop a severe form of infection.Doctors say parents should do their best to protect children from the virus.While most children experience mild cases of COVID-19, some develop serious complications from the virus. Now, a new study is helping determine which kids are most at risk.For the study, researchers analyzed data from 45 U.S. children’s hospitals between April 2020 to September 2020 of pediatric patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19. The study included nearly 20,000 children.Why Are Kids Getting RSV and COVID at the Same Time?Of those who were hospitalized, 3,222 had moderate COVID-19, 431 had severe COVID-19, and 380 had a very severe form of the disease. Of the children admitted to the hospital with COVID, 21% developed severe disease and required ICU care.The researchers discovered that the following conditions increased the risk of hospitalization for children:ObesityType 2 diabetesAsthmaHeart diseasePulmonary diseaseNeurologic diseaseAmong children who were hospitalized, researchers found that children who experienced more severe cases were typically:Older than fourBlack or non-WhiteDiagnosed with obesity or type 2 diabetesHad cardiovascular, neuromuscular, or pulmonary conditionsMore Babies Are Getting COVID-19“This is one of the largest multi-center studies of children with COVID-19 in the United States,” lead study authorJames Antoon, MD, PhD, assistant professor of pediatrics at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University,said in a press release. “And given the recent, concerning increases in COVID cases nationwide and the fact that the vast majority of children remain unvaccinated and susceptible, these findings should be taken into account when considering preventive strategies in schools and planning vaccinations when available for children less than 12 years of age.”The September study was published in theJournal of Hospital Medicine.What This Means For YouExperts say it’s crucial to make sure that all children, as well as their parents, do their best to follow COVID-19 safety protocols to stay safe. You should have your children wear masks when out in public and at school.Children and COVID-19 CasesCOVID-19 cases in children declined in early summer, but have quickly increased over the past four weeks.In fact, they’ve hit record-high numbers. As of September 16, more than 5.5 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began.Nearly 226,000 new cases in children were diagnosed for the week ending September 16, and children make up 25.7% of the reported weekly COVID-19 cases. Worth noting: Children under 18 make up 22.2% of the U.S. population.Pfizer: COVID-19 Vaccine Is Safe and Effective in Children Ages 5 to 11Children have largely been spared from serious consequences of COVID-19, but some kids do develop severe cases of infection. Research has shown that hospitalization rates in children aged zero to four have increased 10-fold since the rise of the Delta variant and hospitalization rates among unvaccinated teens is 10 times higher than those who are fully vaccinated.Currently, only children aged 12 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S.These Findings Mirror What We Know About Adults"[The latest study findings] aren’t surprising and mirror what we know about adults who contract COVID-19,”Richard Watkins, MD, an infectious disease physician and professor of internal medicine at the Northeast Ohio Medical University, tells Verywell.Lawrence Kleinman, MD, MPH, professor and vice-chair of pediatrics at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, tells Verywell that the findings mirror research he’s conducted that also found children who have obesity or an underlying health condition make up the majority of more severe COVID-19 cases.LA School District Mandates COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 12 and UpStill, he says, “anybody can get sick with COVID.”As for why children may be at higher risk of hospitalization over the age of four, Watkins suggests it could be because their immune systems “start to resemble those of older children and adults” at that point.Overall, infectious disease expertAmesh A. Adalja, MD, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, tells Verywell that the findings underscore the importance of protecting children from COVID-19.Getting Vaccinated May Reduce Your Risk of Long COVID“While children are generally spared the severe consequences of disease, there are some that have high-risk conditions for which COVID-19 is something to be concerned about,” he says.Kleinman says doctors are also concerned about the possibility of long COVID symptoms in kids. “We don’t yet understand long COVID in kids, and the things that can happen after the acute illness,” he says.American Parents Overwhelmingly Support Masks in SchoolsWatkins urges parents to continue to be diligent about protecting their children from COVID-19. “Have them wear masks whenever outside the home, not just at school,” he says. “It is your job as a parent to do everything you can to keep your children safe.”The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.

Key TakeawaysResearchers determined several factors that put children at a higher risk for severe COVID-19.Children with underlying health conditions are more likely to develop a severe form of infection.Doctors say parents should do their best to protect children from the virus.

Key Takeaways

Researchers determined several factors that put children at a higher risk for severe COVID-19.Children with underlying health conditions are more likely to develop a severe form of infection.Doctors say parents should do their best to protect children from the virus.

While most children experience mild cases of COVID-19, some develop serious complications from the virus. Now, a new study is helping determine which kids are most at risk.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from 45 U.S. children’s hospitals between April 2020 to September 2020 of pediatric patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19. The study included nearly 20,000 children.

Why Are Kids Getting RSV and COVID at the Same Time?

Of those who were hospitalized, 3,222 had moderate COVID-19, 431 had severe COVID-19, and 380 had a very severe form of the disease. Of the children admitted to the hospital with COVID, 21% developed severe disease and required ICU care.

The researchers discovered that the following conditions increased the risk of hospitalization for children:

Among children who were hospitalized, researchers found that children who experienced more severe cases were typically:

More Babies Are Getting COVID-19

“This is one of the largest multi-center studies of children with COVID-19 in the United States,” lead study authorJames Antoon, MD, PhD, assistant professor of pediatrics at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University,said in a press release. “And given the recent, concerning increases in COVID cases nationwide and the fact that the vast majority of children remain unvaccinated and susceptible, these findings should be taken into account when considering preventive strategies in schools and planning vaccinations when available for children less than 12 years of age.”

The September study was published in theJournal of Hospital Medicine.

What This Means For YouExperts say it’s crucial to make sure that all children, as well as their parents, do their best to follow COVID-19 safety protocols to stay safe. You should have your children wear masks when out in public and at school.

What This Means For You

Experts say it’s crucial to make sure that all children, as well as their parents, do their best to follow COVID-19 safety protocols to stay safe. You should have your children wear masks when out in public and at school.

Children and COVID-19 Cases

COVID-19 cases in children declined in early summer, but have quickly increased over the past four weeks.

In fact, they’ve hit record-high numbers. As of September 16, more than 5.5 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

Nearly 226,000 new cases in children were diagnosed for the week ending September 16, and children make up 25.7% of the reported weekly COVID-19 cases. Worth noting: Children under 18 make up 22.2% of the U.S. population.

Pfizer: COVID-19 Vaccine Is Safe and Effective in Children Ages 5 to 11

Children have largely been spared from serious consequences of COVID-19, but some kids do develop severe cases of infection. Research has shown that hospitalization rates in children aged zero to four have increased 10-fold since the rise of the Delta variant and hospitalization rates among unvaccinated teens is 10 times higher than those who are fully vaccinated.

Currently, only children aged 12 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S.

These Findings Mirror What We Know About Adults

“[The latest study findings] aren’t surprising and mirror what we know about adults who contract COVID-19,”Richard Watkins, MD, an infectious disease physician and professor of internal medicine at the Northeast Ohio Medical University, tells Verywell.

Lawrence Kleinman, MD, MPH, professor and vice-chair of pediatrics at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, tells Verywell that the findings mirror research he’s conducted that also found children who have obesity or an underlying health condition make up the majority of more severe COVID-19 cases.

LA School District Mandates COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 12 and Up

Still, he says, “anybody can get sick with COVID.”

As for why children may be at higher risk of hospitalization over the age of four, Watkins suggests it could be because their immune systems “start to resemble those of older children and adults” at that point.

Overall, infectious disease expertAmesh A. Adalja, MD, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, tells Verywell that the findings underscore the importance of protecting children from COVID-19.

Getting Vaccinated May Reduce Your Risk of Long COVID

“While children are generally spared the severe consequences of disease, there are some that have high-risk conditions for which COVID-19 is something to be concerned about,” he says.

Kleinman says doctors are also concerned about the possibility of long COVID symptoms in kids. “We don’t yet understand long COVID in kids, and the things that can happen after the acute illness,” he says.

American Parents Overwhelmingly Support Masks in Schools

Watkins urges parents to continue to be diligent about protecting their children from COVID-19. “Have them wear masks whenever outside the home, not just at school,” he says. “It is your job as a parent to do everything you can to keep your children safe.”

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.

3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Antoon JW, Grijalva CG, Thurm C, et al.Factors associated with COVID-19 disease severity in US children and adolescents.J Hosp Med. 2021;15(09). doi:10.12788/jhm.3689American Academy of Pediatrics.Children and COVID-19: state-level data report.Delahoy MJ, Ujamaa D, Whitaker M, et al.Hospitalizations associated with COVID-19 among children and adolescents — COVID-NET, 14 states.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021;70(36):1255-1260. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7036e2

3 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Antoon JW, Grijalva CG, Thurm C, et al.Factors associated with COVID-19 disease severity in US children and adolescents.J Hosp Med. 2021;15(09). doi:10.12788/jhm.3689American Academy of Pediatrics.Children and COVID-19: state-level data report.Delahoy MJ, Ujamaa D, Whitaker M, et al.Hospitalizations associated with COVID-19 among children and adolescents — COVID-NET, 14 states.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021;70(36):1255-1260. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7036e2

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Antoon JW, Grijalva CG, Thurm C, et al.Factors associated with COVID-19 disease severity in US children and adolescents.J Hosp Med. 2021;15(09). doi:10.12788/jhm.3689American Academy of Pediatrics.Children and COVID-19: state-level data report.Delahoy MJ, Ujamaa D, Whitaker M, et al.Hospitalizations associated with COVID-19 among children and adolescents — COVID-NET, 14 states.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021;70(36):1255-1260. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7036e2

Antoon JW, Grijalva CG, Thurm C, et al.Factors associated with COVID-19 disease severity in US children and adolescents.J Hosp Med. 2021;15(09). doi:10.12788/jhm.3689

American Academy of Pediatrics.Children and COVID-19: state-level data report.

Delahoy MJ, Ujamaa D, Whitaker M, et al.Hospitalizations associated with COVID-19 among children and adolescents — COVID-NET, 14 states.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021;70(36):1255-1260. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7036e2

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