摘要
Background The number of pediatric cases of infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)Omicron variant has increased.Here,we describe the clinical characteristics of children in a tertiary children's medical center in Shanghai.Methods A total of 676 pediatric coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)cases caused by the Omicron variant who were admitted to the Shanghai Children's Medical Center from March 28 to April 30,2022 were enrolled in this single-center,prospective,observational real-world study.Patient demographics and clinical characteristics,especially COVID-19 vaccine status,were assessed.Results Children of all ages appeared susceptible to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant,with no significant difference between sexes.A high SARS-CoV-2 viral load upon admission was associated with leukocytopenia,neutropenia,and thrombocytopenia(P=0.003,P=0.021,and P=0.017,respectively)but not with physical symptoms or radiographic chest abnormalities.Univariable linear regression models indicated that comorbidities(P=0.001)were associated with a longer time until viral clearance,and increasing age(P<0.001)and two doses of COVID-19 vaccine(P=0.001)were associated with a shorter time to viral clearance.Multivariable analysis revealed an independent effect of comorbidities(P<0.001)and age(P=0.003).The interaction effect between age and comorbidity showed that the negative association between age and time to virus clearance remained significant only in patients without underlying diseases(P<0.001).Conclusion This study describes the clinical characteristics of children infected with the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 and calls for additional studies to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of vaccination against COVID-19 in children.
基金
This work was funded by the Innovative Research Team of High-Level Local Universities in Shanghai(SHSMUZDCX20212800)
Science and Technology Commission Shanghai Municipality(20JC1410200,20JC1410204)
2021 Shanghai University Teacher Training Plan-Industry University Research Practice Plan Project(EYJ26.RLO17)
Shanghai Municipal Health Commission(2019SY049)
Shanghai Medical Leading Talents Program(2019LJ22).
