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Review
. 2021 Feb;68(1):321-338.
doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2020.07.014. Epub 2020 Jul 30.

Risk Factors for Severity in Children with Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Sophia Tsabouri  1 , Alexandros Makis  2 , Chrysoula Kosmeri  2 , Ekaterini Siomou  2
Affiliations
Review

Risk Factors for Severity in Children with Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Sophia Tsabouri et al. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2021 Feb.

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected hundreds of thousands of people. The authors performed a comprehensive literature review to identify the underlying mechanisms and risk factors for severe COVID-19 in children. Children have accounted for 1.7% to 2% of the diagnosed cases of COVID-19. They often have milder disease than adults, and child deaths have been rare. The documented risk factors for severe disease in children are young age and underlying comorbidities. It is unclear whether male gender and certain laboratory and imaging findings are also risk factors. Reports on other potential factors have not been published.

Keywords: COVID-19; Children; Coronavirus; Risk factor; Severity.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The literature search on risk factors for severe COVID-19 in childhood (February 26 to June 10, 2020).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Supplementary concepts