Only 71 children treated in intensive care

SEVENTY-ONE children have been admitted to the UK’S intensive care units with Covid-19, of whom half had an underlying health condition, according to a new audit.

A survey of paediatric intensive care units carried out by the universities of Leeds and Leicester confirmed that severe illness from coronavirus in young people is rare.

The data showed that 71 children were admitted to intensive care from March 15 to June 13, of whom five died and half had underlying health conditions.

While in intensive care, 60 per cent of children needed the highest level of ventilation, typically for six days, and more than 90 per cent were admitted as medical emergencies.

The audit does not include data specifically for children affected by a rare syndrome linked to Covid-19, which appears to affect young people with African heritage more than those who are white.

The latest study, based on the Paediatric Intensive Care Audit Network (PICANET) run by the universities, found that the 71 children tested positive for the virus either before being admitted to hospital or during their stay.

Three children remained in intensive care by June 13, while 63 were discharged to an alternative intensive care facility, another hospital ward or went home.

Almost two thirds of the children were male (61 per cent), 30 per cent were white, almost a quarter were of Asian heritage (23 per cent) and 14 per cent were black.

Data on the ethnicity of 21 per cent of the children was unavailable. The children ranged in age from one to 13.

Just under 60 per cent of the children were admitted for infections or respiratory conditions.

Dr Peter Davis, chairman of the PICANET Clinical Advisory Group and paediatric intensivist at Bristol Children’s Hospital, said: “Severe Covid-19 infection in children is relatively rare, with only a small number of those children having tested positive for the virus needing intensive care support.

“Outside of London, the numbers of children affected were extremely low, with some paediatric intensive care units not caring for any Covid-19 positive children so far.”