Background Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is mild in nearly all children, a small proportion of pediatric patients develop severe or critical illness. Guidance is therefore needed regarding use of agents with potential activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in pediatrics. Methods A panel of pediatric infectious diseases physicians and pharmacists from 18 geographically diverse North American institutions was convened. Through a series of teleconferences and web-based surveys, a set of guidance statements was developed and refined based on review of best available evidence and expert opinion. Results Given the typically mild course of pediatric COVID-19, supportive care alone is suggested for the overwhelming majority of cases. The panel suggests a decision-making framework for antiviral therapy that weighs risks and benefits based on disease severity as indicated by respiratory support needs, with consideration on a case-by-case basis of potential pediatric risk factors for disease progression. If an antiviral is used, the panel suggests remdesivir as the preferred agent. Hydroxychloroquine could be considered for patients who are not candidates for remdesivir or when remdesivir is not available. Antivirals should preferably be used as part of a clinical trial if available. Conclusions Antiviral therapy for COVID-19 is not necessary for the great majority of pediatric patients. For those rare cases of severe or critical disease, this guidance offers an approach for decision-making regarding antivirals, informed by available data. As evidence continues to evolve rapidly, the need for updates to the guidance is anticipated.

Background Bacteremia is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill children. Our objective was to assess whether daily chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing compared with standard bathing practices would reduce bacteremia in critically ill children. Methods In an unmasked, cluster-randomized, two-period crossover trial (Pediatric SCRUB), 10 pediatric intensive care units (ICUs) at 5 hospitals in the United States were randomly assigned to bathe patients > 2 months of age daily with a 2% CHG-impregnated cloth or with standard bathing practices for a six-month period. Units switched to the alternative bathing method during the second six-month period. Among 6,482 eligible patient admissions, 1521 were excluded due to a length of stay less than 2 days and 14 refused to participate. The primary outcome was an episode of bacteremia. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT00549393). Findings 4·947 patient admissions were eligible for analysis. In the intent to treat population, there was a non-statistically significant reduction in incidence of bacteremia among patients receiving daily CHG bathing (3·52 per 1,000 days, 95%CI 2·64–4·61) compared with patients receiving standard bathing practices (4·93 per 1,000 days, 95%CI 3·91–6·15) [adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) 0·71, 95% CI 0·42–1·20]. In the per protocol population, the incidence of bacteremia was 36% lower among patients receiving daily CHG bathing (3·28 per 1,000 days, 95%CI 2·27–4·58)) compared with patients receiving standard bathing practices (4·93 per 1,000 days, 95%CI 3·91–6·15) [aIRR 0·64, 95% CI 0·42–0·98]. There were no serious study related adverse events, and the incidence of CHG-associated skin reactions was 1·2 per 1,000 days (95% CI 0·60–2·02). Interpretation Critically ill children receiving daily CHG bathing had a lower incidence of bacteremia, and the treatment was well tolerated. Funding Primarily by Sage Products, Inc.. Additional funding from U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Background Although Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a mild infection in most children, a small proportion develop severe or critical illness. Data evaluating agents with potential antiviral activity continue to expand, such that updated guidance is needed regarding use of these agents in children. Methods A panel of pediatric infectious diseases physicians and pharmacists from 20 geographically diverse North American institutions was convened. Through a series of teleconferences and web-based surveys, a set of guidance statements was developed and refined based on review of the best available evidence and expert opinion. Results Given the typically mild course of COVID-19 in children, supportive care alone is suggested for most cases. For children with severe illness, defined as a supplemental oxygen requirement without need for non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation or extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), remdesivir is suggested, preferably as part of a clinical trial if available. Remdesivir should also be considered for critically ill children requiring invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation or ECMO. A duration of 5 days is appropriate for most patients. The panel recommends against the use of hydroxychloroquine or lopinavir-ritonavir (or other protease inhibitors) for COVID-19 in children. Conclusions Antiviral therapy for COVID-19 is not necessary for the great majority of pediatric patients. For children with severe or critical disease, this guidance offers an approach for decision-making regarding use of remdesivir.

, this report was posted as an MMWR Early Release on the MMWR website (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr). Many kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools offering in-person learning have adopted strategies to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 (1). These measures include mandating use of face masks, physical distancing in classrooms, increasing ventilation with outdoor air, identification of close contacts,* and following CDC isolation and quarantine guidance † (2). A 2-week pilot investigation was conducted to investigate occurrences of SARS-CoV-2 secondary transmission in K-12 schools in the city of Springfield, Missouri, and in St. Louis County, Missouri, during December 7-18, 2020. Schools in both locations implemented COVID-19 mitigation strategies; however, Springfield implemented a modified quarantine policy permitting student close contacts aged ≤18 years who had school-associated contact with a person with COVID-19 and met masking requirements during their exposure to continue in-person learning. § Participating students, teachers, and staff members with COVID-19 (37) from 22 schools and their * A close contact was defined as any person who spent a cumulative total of ≥15 minutes in one 24-hour period within 6 ft of a person with COVID-19 while that person was potentially infectious, regardless of mask use. A person with COVID-19 was considered potentially infectious to others starting from 2 days before symptom onset (or if asymptomatic, 2 days before the collection of the first positive SARS-CoV-2 test specimen) until the person was isolated.

No abstract