COVID-19 in Children with Brain-Based Developmental Disabilities: A Rapid Review Update

Abstract

Objective: Information regarding the impact of COVID-19 in children with brain-based disabilities, or those at risk of developing such conditions, remains scarce. The objective was to evaluate if children with brain-based disabilities are more likely to (1) develop COVID-19, (2) develop complications from the disease, and (3) to have a poorer prognosis. Study design: We conducted a rapid review using search strategies iteratively developed and tested by an experienced medical information specialist in consultation with the review team and a panel of knowledge users. Searches were initially performed on April 18th, 2021, and updated on October 31st, 2020. Four reviewers individually performed study selection using pilot-tested standardized forms. Single reviewers extracted the data using a standardized extraction form that included study characteristics, patients' characteristics, and outcomes reported. Results: We identified 1448 publications, of which 29 were included. Studies reported data on 2288 COVID-19 positive children, including 462 with a brain-based disability, and 72 at risk of developing such disability. Overall, the included studies showed a greater risk to develop severe COVID-19 disease in children with brain-based disabilities. Although mortality is very low, the case-fatality rate appeared to be higher in children with disabilities compared to children without disabilities. Conclusions: Our review shows that children with brain-based disabilities are overrepresented in hospitalization numbers compared to children without disabilities. However, most studies included children that were hospitalized from COVID-19 in secondary and tertiary care centers. Results of this review should therefore be interpreted with caution.

Time to be counted: COVID-19 and intellectual and developmental disabilities—an RSC Policy Briefing

“…While studies on the health risks of COVID-19 among children with IDD are limited, the evidence thus far indicates that like adults, children with IDD are more likely to have comorbidities that increase their risk of complications from COVID-19, and to develop more severe disease outcomes from COVID-19 infection (Dugas et al 2020;. As described earlier, found a significantly higher COVID-19 case rate and case-fatality rate for children aged 0-17 years with IDD compared to children without IDD.…”

“…As described earlier, found a significantly higher COVID-19 case rate and case-fatality rate for children aged 0-17 years with IDD compared to children without IDD. An update to a rapid review by the SPOR Evidence Alliance (Dugas et al 2020) examining evidence on COVID-19 risk and outcomes in children with brain-based developmental disabilities determined that children with brain-based disabilities have a greater risk of developing severe COVID-19 disease and are overrepresented in hospitalization numbers compared to children without disabilities. In addition, while the overall mortality rate from COVID-19 among children is low, the case-fatality rate appears to be higher in children with disabilities.…”