Dataset Information

Clinical, anamnestic, and sociodemographic predictors of positive SARS-CoV-2 testing in children: A cross sectional study in a tertiary hospital in Italy.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

We aimed to identify clinical, anamnestic, and sociodemographic characteristics associated with a positive swab for SARS-CoV2, and to provide a predictive score to identify at risk population in children aged 2-14 years attending school and tested for clinical symptoms of COVID-19.

Design

Cross sectional study.

Setting

Outpatient clinic of the IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, a maternal and child health tertiary care hospital and research centre in Italy.

Data collection and analysis

Data were collected through a predefined form, filled out by parents, and gathered information on sociodemographic characteristics, and specific symptoms, which were analysed to determine their association with a positive SARS-CoV-2 swab. The regression coefficients of the variables included in the multivariate analysis were further used in the calculation of a predictive score of the positive or negative test.

Results

Between September 20th and December 23rd 2020, from 1484 children included in the study, 127 (8.6%) tested positive. In the multivariate analysis, the variables retained by the model were the presence of contact with a cohabiting, non-cohabiting or unspecified symptomatic case (respectively OR 37.2, 95% CI 20.1-68.7; 5.1, 95% CI 2.7-9.6; 15.6, 95% CI 7.3-33.2); female sex (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.0-2.3); age (6-10 years old: OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.7-6.1 p<0.001; >10 years old: OR 4.8, 95% CI 2.7-8.8 p<0.001); fever (OR 3.9, 95% CI 2.3-6.4); chills (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.3); headache (OR 1.45, 95% CI 0.9-2.4); ageusia (OR 1.3, 95% CI 0.5-4.0); sore throat (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.3-0.8); earache (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.1-1.3); rhinorrhoea (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.5-1.3); and diarrhoea (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.2-1.1). The predictive score based on these variables generated 93% sensitivity and 99% negative predictive value.

Conclusions

The timely identification of SARS-CoV2 cases among children is useful to reduce the dissemination of the disease and its related burden. The predictive score may be adopted in a public health perspective to rapidly identify at risk children.

SUBMITTER: Armocida B

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8789147 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundThe transmissibility and associated morbidity and mortality of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2), have overwhelmed worldwide healthcare systems, resulting in an urgent need to understand this virus and its associated effects. The aim of our study was to identify patient symptoms, clinical characteristics, laboratory, and radiology findings that are associated with serious morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients.MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted in Jaber Al Ahmad Hospital, the designated COVID-19 center in Kuwait between August 1st, 2020 and January 31st, 2021. The main outcomes measured in this study were to identify variables associated with intensive care unit (ICU) admission, as proxy for serious morbidity, and in hospital mortality.ResultsTwo hundred and seventy-six patients were included in the study. Thirty-six (13%) patients were admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) and 33 (12%) patients expired. On multivariate analysis we found having elevated fibrinogen [OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.08-1.64, P = 0.04], low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) [OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.81-0.95, P = 0.02], and having bilateral patchy lung shadowing [OR 6.68, 95% CI 1.85-15.28, P < 0.01] to be significantly associated with increase odds of ICU admission. Elevated CRP [OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.10-1.98, P < 0.01], low eGFR [OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.90-0.99, P = 0.05] and having ischemic heart disease [OR 7.03, 95% CI 1.60-46.42, P = 0.04] were independently associated with increased odds of mortality.ConclusionCertain inflammatory and coagulopathy markers, and having certain lung radiological features, in addition to having medical comorbidities, specifically, ischemic heart disease and renal impairment are key predictors for serious morbidity and mortality in patients infected with COVID-19. These should be incorporated into medical institutes risk assessment tools used by physicians and policy makers to instigate, prioritize, and reprioritize care in patients with COVID-19 and instigate preventative strategy to reduce the impact of future outbreak.

Project description:BackgroundFew data are available about temporal trends of antibiotic use in hospitalized children. The aim of the current study was to investigate the pattern and trends of antibiotic use over the years 2008-2016 in the largest children's hospital in Italy.MethodsAnnual point prevalence surveys of antibiotic use were conducted by reviewing medical charts of 0-17 year-old children hospitalized for ≥48 h. Prevalence of antibiotic use was computed by year, type of ward and indication. Trends in prevalence over time were evaluated using the Cochrane-Armitage test. Possibile determinants of antibiotic use were assessed at univariate analysis and through a logistic regression model.ResultsOut of 3015 children, 1516 (50.3%) received antibiotics, 58.1% of which for medical/surgical prophylaxis. Prevalence of antibiotic use increased from 42.0% in 2008 to 56.2% in 2016 (p = 0.001). The prevalence of patients receiving antibiotics for medical prophylaxis increased from 6.1% in 2008 to 24.2% in 2016 (p < 0.001), whereas the prevalence of patients receiving antibiotics for surgical prophylaxis significantly decreased (from 13.7 to 11.8%; p = 0.04); no significant temporal trends were found in antibiotic use for treating infections. The administration of third-generation cephalosporins for surgical and medical prophylaxis significantly decreased over time, while the proportion of antibiotics prescribed to treat infections after microbiological investigations significantly increased. Year (ORadj: 1.8 in 2016 compared to 2008, p < 0.001), age (ORadj ≥1.5 in children ≥1 year, compared to infants ≤2 months, p < 0.001), length of stay (LOS) (ORadj: 1.4 in case of LOS between 8 and 30 days compared to LOS ≤ 7 days, p < 0.001), and type of ward (ORadj: ≥1.3 in intensive-care, surgical and medical-subspecialty units compared to medical units, p < 0.001) were significantly and independently associated with antibiotic use.ConclusionsComparing prevalence rates of antibiotic use among hospitals and over time should consider differences in patient characteristics, such as age, ward of hospitalization and length of stay. Over the years, we documented an improvement in the choice of antibiotics prescribed for medical and surgical prophylaxis. However, further efforts are needed to avoid antibiotic misuse for medical prophylaxis, and to reduce the empirical use of broad spectrum antibiotics.