Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalisation in children and adolescents in Norway: a nationwide population-based study. Issue 3 (11th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Størdal, Ketil; Ruiz, Paz Lopez-Doriga; Greve-Isdahl, Margrethe; Surén, Pål; Knudsen, Per Kristian; Gulseth, Hanne Løvdal; Tapia, German
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 12:Issue 3(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03-11
• Subjects: SARS-CoV-2 -- COVID-19 -- risk factor -- hospitalisation -- comorbidity -- socioeconomy -- country of origin; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056549
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To determine risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalisation among children and adolescents. Design: Nationwide, population-based cohort study. Setting: Norway from 1 March 2020 to 30 November 2021. Participants: All Norwegian residents<18 years of age. Main outcome measures: Population-based healthcare and population registries were used to study risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection, including socioeconomic factors, country of origin and pre-existing chronic comorbidities. All residents were followed until age 18 years, emigration, death or end of follow-up. HRs estimated by Cox regression models were adjusted for testing frequency. Further, risk factors for admission to the hospital among the infected were investigated. Results: Of 1 219 184 residents, 82 734 (6.7%) tested positive by PCR or lateral flow tests, of whom 241 (0.29%) were admitted to a hospital. Low family income (adjusted HR (aHR) 1.26, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.30), crowded housing (1.27, 1.24 to 1.30), household size, age, non-Nordic country of origin (1.63, 1.60 to 1.66) and area of living were independent risk factors for infection. Chronic comorbidity was associated with a slightly lower risk of infection (aHR 0.90, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.93). Chronic comorbidity was associated with hospitalisation (aHR 3.46, 95% CI 2.50 to 4.80), in addition to age, whereas socioeconomic status and country of origin did not predict hospitalisation among those infected. Conclusions: Socioeconomic factors, country of origin and area of living were associated with the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, these factors did not predict hospitalisation among those infected. Chronic comorbidity was associated with higher risk of admission but slightly lower overall risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2.