COVID-19 Pandemic Alters Epidemiology of Respiratory Pathogens in Children
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant shifts in the epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in children, according to recent study results. A study published in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal examined pediatric invasive H. influenzae disease in the pre- and post-SARS-CoV-2 years, finding an increase in invasive disease from 2011 to 2019. The research highlights the importance of monitoring trends in disease burden, particularly given the high incidence of invasive disease in children.
Key Takeaways:
- The study found 124 cases of invasive H. influenzae disease in children from 2011 to 2023, with the median age being 1.9 years and 57% of children having pre-existing comorbidities.
- The most common diagnosis was bacteremia without a focus (50%), followed by pneumonia (27%).
- The annual number of cases/1000 admissions was used as a surrogate for incidence, showing an increase in invasive disease from 2011 to 2019 (P
- The study concluded that the trends in disease burden should continue to be monitored given the high incidence of invasive disease in children.
- The research was financially supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality.
- The study was conducted at the Texas Children's Hospital microbiology laboratory, with data collected from January 2011 to December 2023.
Statistics:
- 124 cases of invasive H. influenzae disease were identified in the study.
- The median age of children with invasive disease was 1.9 years.
- 57% of children with invasive disease had pre-existing comorbidities.
- The most common diagnosis was bacteremia without a focus (50%), followed by pneumonia (27%).
- The annual number of cases/1000 admissions increased from 2011 to 2019.
Sources:
- Invasive haemophilus Influenzae Disease At a Us Children's Hospital In the Sars-cov-2 Era. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 2025;44(8):787-791.
- Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ)