Changing Epidemiology of COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents Over Four Successive Epidemic Waves in South Africa, 2020-2022.
COVID-19
South Africa
admissions
adolescents
children
Journal
Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
ISSN: 2048-7207
Titre abrégé: J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101586049
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
18 Apr 2023
18 Apr 2023
Historique:
received:
05
08
2022
accepted:
16
01
2023
medline:
20
4
2023
pubmed:
18
1
2023
entrez:
17
1
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
South Africa experienced four waves of SARS-CoV-2 infection, dominated by Wuhan-Hu, Beta, Delta, and Omicron (BA.1/BA.2). We describe the trends in SARS-CoV-2 testing, cases, admissions, and deaths among children and adolescents in South Africa over successive waves. We analyzed national SARS-CoV-2 testing, case, and admissions data from March 2020 to February 2022 and estimated cumulative rates by age group for each endpoint. The severity in the third versus the fourth wave was assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Individuals ≤18 years comprised 35% (21,008,060/60,142,978) of the population but only 12% (424,394/3,593,644) of cases and 6% (26,176/451,753) of admissions. Among individuals ≤18 years, infants had the highest admission (505/100,000) rates. Testing, case, and admission rates generally increased successively in the second (Beta) and third (Delta) waves among all age groups. In the fourth (Omicron BA.1/BA.2) wave, the case rate dropped among individuals ≥1 year but increased among those <1 year. Weekly admission rates for children <1 year (169/100,000) exceeded rates in adults (124/100,000) in the fourth wave. The odds of severe COVID-19 in all admitted cases were lower in the fourth wave versus the third wave in each age group, but they were twice as high in admitted cases with at least one comorbidity than those without. The admission rate for children <5 years was higher in the fourth wave than in previous waves, but the overall outcomes were less severe. However, children with at least one comorbidity had increased odds of severe disease, warranting consideration of prioritizing this group for vaccination.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
South Africa experienced four waves of SARS-CoV-2 infection, dominated by Wuhan-Hu, Beta, Delta, and Omicron (BA.1/BA.2). We describe the trends in SARS-CoV-2 testing, cases, admissions, and deaths among children and adolescents in South Africa over successive waves.
METHODS
METHODS
We analyzed national SARS-CoV-2 testing, case, and admissions data from March 2020 to February 2022 and estimated cumulative rates by age group for each endpoint. The severity in the third versus the fourth wave was assessed using multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Individuals ≤18 years comprised 35% (21,008,060/60,142,978) of the population but only 12% (424,394/3,593,644) of cases and 6% (26,176/451,753) of admissions. Among individuals ≤18 years, infants had the highest admission (505/100,000) rates. Testing, case, and admission rates generally increased successively in the second (Beta) and third (Delta) waves among all age groups. In the fourth (Omicron BA.1/BA.2) wave, the case rate dropped among individuals ≥1 year but increased among those <1 year. Weekly admission rates for children <1 year (169/100,000) exceeded rates in adults (124/100,000) in the fourth wave. The odds of severe COVID-19 in all admitted cases were lower in the fourth wave versus the third wave in each age group, but they were twice as high in admitted cases with at least one comorbidity than those without.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
The admission rate for children <5 years was higher in the fourth wave than in previous waves, but the overall outcomes were less severe. However, children with at least one comorbidity had increased odds of severe disease, warranting consideration of prioritizing this group for vaccination.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36648247
pii: 6989565
doi: 10.1093/jpids/piad002
pmc: PMC10112681
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
128-134Subventions
Organisme : Medical Research Council
ID : MR/V028782/1
Pays : United Kingdom
Informations de copyright
© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.
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