KMID : 1040320240310010094
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Pediatric Infection & Vaccine 2024 Volume.31 No. 1 p.94 ~ p.101
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Epidemiology of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Infants and Toddlers, Seoul, South Korea
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Sim Ji-Woo
Son Eun-Cheol Choe Young-June
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Abstract
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Purpose: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed a significant burden to infant and toddler¡¯s care globally, while the disease severity is generally mild in this age group. In this study, we aimed to assess epidemiological and clinical aspects of COVID-19 in infants and toddlers in Seoul, South Korea.
Methods: We used Seoul Metropolitan Government¡¯s epidemiological investigation database to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in infants and toddlers, between March 2020 to December 2021.
Results: A total of 5,025 infants and toddlers aged <5 years was diagnosed between the observed period. 2,720 (54.1%) had symptoms, and fever was the most common symptom in 1,941 (74.1%). Of the diagnosed cases, 96.4% did not have underlying diseases. In a district level, extended opening of childcare facility was associated with increased risk of COVID-19 in infants and toddlers.
Conclusions: An efficient monitoring system, resembling routine clinical care, is crucial, considering the low rates of severe progression and fatality among infants and toddlers.
Moreover, a well-grounded intervention based on scientific evidence, rather than unconditional closures, is necessary to establish a suitable childcare policy that ensures safety from infectious diseases while not overlooking the developmental aspects of social skills.
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KEYWORD
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COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Infant, Epidemiology
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