Comparison of COVID−19-associated inpatient burden by variant period in hospitalized children age <5 years in the United States

• DOI: 10.3389/fped.2025.1573933
• Publication Date: 2025-05-22T05:26:45Z
• Authors: Kathleen M. Andersen; Maria D. McColgan; Alejandro Cane; Mary M. Moran; Maya Reimbaeva; Santiago M. C. Lopez
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Pandemic

Introduction This study evaluated clinical outcomes in children aged &amp;lt;5 years with COVID−19-associated hospitalizations and assessed whether disease severity differed across periods of SARS-CoV-2 variant predominance the United States. Methods Data from PINC AI™ Healthcare Database during three distinct [pre-Delta (April 2021–June 2021), Delta (July 2021–December Omicron (January 2022–July 2023)] were used. Hospital length stay (LOS), admission to intensive care unit (ICU), ICU LOS, usage duration oxygen supplementation, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), inpatient death for each period. Results Overall, 10,316 hospitalized COVID-19 over periods. Most pediatric hospitalization occurred In time period, &amp;lt;1 year disproportionately affected. For outcome interest, there no statistically significant differences between Similar proportions required supplementation (pre-Delta 13%; 16%; 18%), IMV 7%; 8%; 7%) experienced in-hospital 0.7%; 0.9%; 0.4%). Duration hospital LOS use also similar. Conclusions Despite perception that omicron is less severe, have a similar risk severe as they did earlier eras. These results highlight need continued preventative measures against children, including routine immunization eligible pregnant people an updated vaccine.