Kufa T, Jassat W, Cohen C, Tempia S, Masha M, Wolter N, Walaza S, von Gottburg A, Govender NP, Hunt G, Shonhiwa AM, Ebonwu J, Ntshoe G, Maruma W, Bapela P, Ndhlovu N, Mathema H, Modise M, Shuping L, Manana PN, Moore D, Dangor Z, Verwey C, Madhi SA, Saloojee H, Zar HJ, Blumberg L. Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection and SARS-CoV-2 positive hospital admissions among children in South Africa.
Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2021;
16:34-47. [PMID:
34796674 PMCID:
PMC9664941 DOI:
10.1111/irv.12916]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
We describe epidemiology and outcomes of confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and positive admissions among children <18 years in South Africa, an upper‐middle income setting with high inequality.
Methods
Laboratory and hospital COVID‐19 surveillance data, 28 January ‐ 19 September 2020 was used. Testing rates were calculated as number of tested for SARS‐CoV‐2 divided by population at risk; test positivity rates were calculated as positive tests divided by total number of tests. In‐hospital case fatality ratio (CFR) was calculated based on hospitalized positive admissions with outcome data who died in‐hospital and whose death was judged SARS‐CoV‐2 related by attending physician.
Findings
315 570 children aged <18 years were tested for SARS‐CoV‐2; representing 8.9% of all 3 548 738 tests and 1.6% of all children in the country. Of children tested, 46 137 (14.6%) were positive. Children made up 2.9% (n = 2007) of all SARS‐CoV‐2 positive admissions to sentinel hospitals. Among children, 47 died (2.6% case‐fatality). In‐hospital deaths were associated with male sex [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.18 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.08–4.40)] vs female; age <1 year [aOR 4.11 (95% CI 1.08–15.54)], age 10–14 years [aOR 4.20 (95% CI1.07–16.44)], age 15–17 years [aOR 4.86 (95% 1.28–18.51)] vs age 1–4 years; admission to a public hospital [aOR 5.07(95% 2.01–12.76)] vs private hospital and ≥1 underlying conditions [aOR 12.09 (95% CI 4.19–34.89)] vs none.
Conclusions
Children with underlying conditions were at greater risk of severe SARS‐CoV‐2 outcomes. Children > 10 years, those in certain provinces and those with underlying conditions should be considered for increased testing and vaccination.
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