Differences in COVID-19 Symptoms Among Children During Different Waves of the Pandemic

Strategic Insights -

New research reveals significant differences in symptomatic presentation of children infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) between the third and fourth waves of the pandemic in Israel. The findings, published in the European Journal of Pediatrics, highlight the varying impact of different variants on children's health. The study analyzed a large cohort of children and adolescents, finding that those infected during the Delta-dominant period had a higher rate of symptomatic febrile illness compared to the Alpha-dominant period.

Key Takeaways:

  • A total of 32,485 and 44,130 children and adolescents in the third and fourth waves were included in the final analysis.
  • The rate of children with symptomatic disease among patients with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection was higher in the fourth wave compared to the third wave (49.9% vs. 37.5%).
  • The most commonly reported symptom and the only symptom that substantially differed between waves was fever, with 33% of SARS-CoV-2 infected children in the fourth wave vs. 13.6% in the third wave.
  • Preschool children had the lowest prevalence of febrile illness compared to other age groups.
  • Children and adolescents infected during the fourth wave of the pandemic in Israel, a Delta-dominant period, had a significantly higher rate of symptomatic febrile illness than the Alpha-dominant period.
  • This phenomenon occurred across all age groups.
  • The study suggests that there are differences in COVID-19 severity among adults and children during different waves of the pandemic.
  • The findings highlight the need for further research on symptomatic characteristics in children in large-scale cohorts aside from hospital settings.

Statistics:

  • 49.9% of SARS-CoV-2 infected children in the fourth wave had febrile illness.
  • 37.5% of SARS-CoV-2 infected children in the third wave had febrile illness.
  • 33% of SARS-CoV-2 infected children in the fourth wave had fever.
  • 13.6% of SARS-CoV-2 infected children in the third wave had fever.
  • 32,485 children and adolescents were included in the third wave analysis.
  • 44,130 children and adolescents were included in the fourth wave analysis.
  • The study was conducted in Israel and used data from the Maccabi Healthcare Services database.

Sources:

  • European Journal of Pediatrics
  • Springer
  • Maccabi Healthcare Services
  • Amir Ben-Tov
  • Roni Lotan
  • Sivan Gazit
  • Gabriel Chodick
  • Galit Perez
  • Miri Mizrahi-Reuveni
  • Tal Patalon