August 27, 2020

ISARIC 4C study – clinical characteristics of children hospitalised with COVID-19

The vast majority of reported COVID-19 cases in children are mild or asymptomatic, but occasionally children can become ill enough to require hospitalisation.

This study published in the BMJ looks at the clinical characteristics of 651 children aged less than 19 years admitted to 138 hospitals with COVID-19 across the UK since mid-March. It explores factors associated with admission to critical care, mortality, and development of a multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

This study is part of the ISARIC 4C (Coronavirus Clinical Characterisation Consortium).

Speakers included:

Dr Olivia Swann, Clinical Lecturer in Paediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Edinburgh

Prof Calum Semple, Professor in Child Health and Outbreak Medicine, University of Liverpool, and ISARIC co-lead

This Briefing was accompanied by an SMC Roundup of Comments