ABSTRACT
SESSION TITLE: Studies on COVID-19 Infections Posters SESSION TYPE: Original Investigation Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/18/2022 01:30 pm - 02:30 pm PURPOSE: Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, knowledge about how infection affects children is still lacking. Unlike adults, prior to the recent surge widespread symptomatic childhood illness has not been seen, likely due to school shutdowns, strict social distancing, and less severe illness course. During the omicron surge in NYC, an increase in pediatric cases was noted likely due to reinstatement of in-person learning and relaxing of social distancing. Though vaccines were available, only 9% of children aged 5-11 years and 35% of adolescents aged 12-17 years were vaccinated. During omicron surge, a large proportion of adult patients positive for COVID-19 were asymptomatic. We aimed to explore incidence of ED visits, hospital admissions, vaccine status and presenting complaints in pediatric population who tested positive for COVID-19 during the omicron surge in NYC. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients <18 years who tested positive for COVID-19 at two multiethnic community hospitals during the Omicron wave (Nov 1, 2021-Feb 28, 2022). Demographics, vaccine status, reason for visit, diagnosis and disposition were extracted from EHR. Data were analyzed according to age group: 0 to <5 years (G1), 5 to <12 years (G2) and 12 to <18 years (G3). RESULTS: During this time, close to 2800 patients tested positive for COVID-19 at presentation to the ED or during hospitalization. Of these, 343 were <18 years of age (~10%). Overall, 53% of these pediatric patients were male. Ethnic make-up mirrored that of our community (approx. 60% Hispanic, 20% Asian, 10% Black). Admission status included 27 (7.8%) admitted to our hospitals, 18 (5.2%) transferred to other hospitals from our ED, and 298 (87%) treated and released from the ED. By age group, 183 (59%) were in G1, 76 (24%) in G2 and 51 (17%) in G3. Patients in G1 were <5 years and therefore ineligible for vaccine. Only 5% of G2 and 33% of G3 were fully vaccinated. In all groups, majority of patients presented for symptoms of viral infection (G1>80%, G2>90%, G3>90%). Symptoms of upper respiratory infection were most frequent in all groups (>80%). Convulsions (4.3%, 1.3%), croup (8.2%, 2.6%) and otitis media (3.3%, 1.3%) were noted in G1 and G2, respectively. In G3, acute appendicitis, diabetic ketoacidosis, and otitis media were present on admission in 2% each. Majority of patients requiring admission were from G1 (74%). CONCLUSIONS: Though adults during the recent surge often presented with asymptomatic COVID-19, pediatric patients in our sample typically presented for viral illness. It is difficult to interpret vaccine data except to say that there was a small group of pediatric patients who were symptomatic despite vaccination. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: We present early descriptive data from the Omicron surge in NYC in a pediatric sample. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Won Baik-Han No relevant relationships by Tamana Bismillah No relevant relationships by Kelly Cervellione no disclosure on file for Gagan Gulati;No relevant relationships by LOCHANA KC No relevant relationships by Lily Lew