98%
921
2 minutes
20
Background: The SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern exhibit distinct features in terms of transmissibility and virulence. This study compared the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in children during pre-Delta, Delta and Omicron waves.
Methods: Medical records of 1163 children <19 years of age with COVID-19 admitted to a designated hospital in Seoul, South Korea, were analyzed. Clinical and laboratory findings during the pre-Delta (March 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021; 330 children), Delta (July 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021; 527 children) and Omicron (January 1, 2022, to May 10, 2022; 306 children) waves were compared.
Results: Children during the Delta wave were older and had a higher proportion of fever ≥5 days and pneumonia than children during the pre-Delta and Omicron waves. The Omicron wave was characterized by younger age and a higher proportion of fever ≥39.0 °C, febrile seizure and croup. More children <2 years of age and adolescents aged 10 to <19 years experienced neutropenia and lymphopenia, respectively, during the Delta wave. Children aged 2 to <10 years had a higher incidence of leukopenia and lymphopenia during the Omicron wave.
Conclusions: Distinct features of COVID-19 were observed in children during the Delta and Omicron surges. Continuous scrutiny of the manifestations of variants of concern is needed for appropriate public health response and management.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10097473 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/INF.0000000000003872 | DOI Listing |
BMC Glob Public Health
September 2025
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP), Kilifi, Kenya.
Background: Between November 2023 and March 2024, coastal Kenya experienced another wave of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections detected through our continued genomic surveillance. Herein, we report the clinical and genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infections from 179 individuals (a total of 185 positive samples) residing in the Kilifi Health and Demographic Surveillance System (KHDSS) area (~ 900 km).
Methods: We analyzed genetic, clinical, and epidemiological data from SARS-CoV-2 positive cases across pediatric inpatient, health facility outpatient, and homestead community surveillance platforms.
BMC Public Health
September 2025
Department of Mathematics, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Gottlieb-Daimler-Str.48, Kaiserslautern, 67663, Germany.
We study the dynamics of coexisting influenza and SARS-CoV-2 by adapting a well-established age-specific COVID-19 model to a multi-pathogen framework. Sensitivity analysis and adjustment of the model to real-world data are used to investigate the influence of age-related factors on disease dynamics. Our findings underscore the critical role that transmission rates play in shaping the spread of influenza and COVID-19.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiabet Med
September 2025
Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Aims: Our study described incidence and prevalence trends of type 1 diabetes in children and youth under 20 years of age from 1997 to 2023 in the Canadian province of British Columbia (BC) and assessed for a 4-, 5-, or 6-year cyclicity or increase in incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: Using linked population-level databases and a validated case-finding and diabetes differentiating algorithm, we identified children with type 1 diabetes diagnosed between 1997 and 2023. Data sources included hospital admissions, outpatient physician visits, and dispensed prescriptions.
Pediatrics
September 2025
Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Background And Objectives: There are recommendations against routine medical clearance testing for children evaluated in the emergency department (ED) for mental health concerns. Our objective was to determine variation, factors, and costs associated with medical clearance testing during ED encounters for mental health concerns.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of ED encounters among children aged 5 to 18 years who presented to 35 US children's hospitals for mental health concerns (2016-2023).
J Sch Health
September 2025
University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, Michigan, USA.
Background: Health-related issues are perhaps the most common reason for student absences, as nearly every student has missed school due to an illness or injury at some point. Researchers in medicine and education have thoroughly documented the relationship between health and attendance.
Methods: Descriptive trends are analyzed.