The toll of COVID-19 on African children: A descriptive analysis on COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality among the pediatric population in Sub-Saharan Africa. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rodriguez Velásquez, Sabina; Jacques, Léa; Dalal, Jyoti; Sestito, Paolo; Habibi, Zahra; Venkatasubramanian, Akarsh; Nguimbis, Benedict; Mesa, Sara Botero; Chimbetete, Cleophas; Keiser, Olivia; Impouma, Benido; Mboussou, Franck; William, George Sie; Ngoy, Nsenga; Talisuna, Ambrose; Gueye, Abdou Salam; Hofer, Cristina Barroso; Cabore, Joseph Waogodo
• Is Part Of: International journal of infectious diseases. Volume 110(2021)
• Page Start: 457
• Page End: 465
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: SARS-CoV-2 -- COVID-19 -- Epidemiology -- Africa -- Children -- Morbidity; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.07.060
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1201-9712

Abstract

Highlights: Morbidity and mortality in children due to COVID-19 remained low Adolescents had higher reported cases than younger children Reported cases were lower in pediatric population than adult population Testing protocols vary between countries; reflects bias in reported cases Abstract: Introduction: Few data on the COVID-19 epidemiological characteristics among the pediatric population in Africa exists. This paper examines the age and sex distribution of the morbidity and mortality rate in children with COVID-19 and compares it to the adult population in 15 Sub-Saharan African countries. Methods: A merge line listing dataset shared by countries within the Regional Office for Africa was analyzed. Patients diagnosed within 1 March and 1 September 2020 with a confirmed positive RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 were analyzed. Children's data were stratified into three age groups: 0-4 years, 5-11 years, and 12-17 years, while adults were combined. The cumulative incidence of cases, its medians, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: 9% of the total confirmed cases and 2.4% of the reported deaths were pediatric cases. The 12-17 age group in all 15 countries showed the highest cumulative incidence proportion in children. Adults had a higher case incidence per 100, 000 people than children. Conclusion: The cases and deaths within the children's population were smaller than the adult population. These differences may reflect biases in COVID-19 testing protocols and reporting implemented by countries, highlighting the need for more extensive investigation and focus on the effects of COVID-19 in children.