News Report | June 22, 2020
Obesity Raises Odds For A Child To Develop A Severe Form Of COVID-19
Obesity may greatly raise odds for a child or adolescent (under the age of 21) to develop a severe form of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Approximately 22% of those children and adolescents who were admitted to the hospital with a severe form of COVID-19 were obese, and 16% were overweight. Overall, obesity was the most significant factor associated with mechanical ventilation in children 2 years and older.
Most children with a severe form of COVID-19 had one or more comorbidities. In general, older children (average age of 14 years) were more likely to develop severe COVID-19 . . .