COVID-19 in Children with Down Syndrome: Data from the Trisomy 21 Research Society Survey

Abstract

Adults with Down Syndrome (DS) are at higher risk for severe outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) than the general population, but evidence is required to understand the risks for children with DS, which is necessary to inform COVID-19 shielding advice and vaccination priorities. We aimed to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in children with DS. Using data from an international survey obtained from a range of countries and control data from the United States, we compared the prevalence of symptoms and medical complications and risk factors for severe outcomes between DS and non-DS paediatric populations with COVID-19. Hospitalised COVID-19 patients <18 years with DS had a higher incidence of respiratory symptoms, fever, and several medical complications from COVID-19 than control patients without DS <18 years. Older age, obesity, and epilepsy were significant risk factors for hospitalisation among paediatric COVID-19 patients with DS, and age and thyroid disorder were significant risk factors for acute respiratory distress syndrome. Mortality rates were low in all paediatric COVID-19 patients (with and without DS), contrasting with previous findings in adults with DS (who exhibit higher mortality than those without DS). Children with DS are at increased risk for more severe presentations of COVID-19. Efforts should be made to ensure the comprehensive and early detection of COVID-19 in this population and to identify children with DS who present comorbidities that pose a risk for a severe course of COVID-19. Our results emphasize the importance of vaccinating children with DS as soon as they become eligible.

Anxiety and Worries of Individuals with Down Syndrome During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study in the UK

“…Worries around health have been found to be increased in SEND families and our study seems to provide further support to such claims (Asbury et al, 2021 ). As highlighted by Emes et al, ( 2021 ), individuals with DS are at greater risk for severe outcomes of COVID-19, nonetheless our data suggest that this is not a major concern for families and individuals with DS.…”

The COVID-19 pandemic in children and young people during 2020-2021: Learning about clinical presentation, patterns of spread, viral load, diagnosis and treatment

“…Significant risk factors for their hospitalisation were older age, obesity, and epilepsy, and they were generally more prone to severe clinical presentation. Mortality rates were low in all paediatric COVID-19 patients, contrasting with previous findings in adults with Down syndrome who had higher mortality [ 131 ]. Among parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder in Southern California, approximately 35% intended to vaccinate their child [ 132 ]…”

“…Some authors suggested that vaccines should be considered for implementation at child and adolescent psychiatric hospitals [ 128 ]. Others critically reviewed pre-and post-marketing evidence on the potential benefits and risks of marketed COVID-19 vaccines in special cohorts that included immunocompromised children, those with predispositions to allergies, children with other comorbidities [ 129 , 130 ], and those with Down syndrome [ 131 ]. It was shown that hospitalised minors with Down syndrome had a higher incidence of respiratory symptoms, fever, and several medical complications from COVID-19 than control patients [ 131 ].…”

“…Others critically reviewed pre-and post-marketing evidence on the potential benefits and risks of marketed COVID-19 vaccines in special cohorts that included immunocompromised children, those with predispositions to allergies, children with other comorbidities [ 129 , 130 ], and those with Down syndrome [ 131 ]. It was shown that hospitalised minors with Down syndrome had a higher incidence of respiratory symptoms, fever, and several medical complications from COVID-19 than control patients [ 131 ]. Significant risk factors for their hospitalisation were older age, obesity, and epilepsy, and they were generally more prone to severe clinical presentation.…”

Anxiety and Worries of Individuals with Down Syndrome During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study in the UK

“…Worries around health have been found to be increased in SEND families and our study seems to provide further support to such claims (Asbury et al, 2021). As highlighted by Emes et al, (2021), individuals with DS are at greater risk for severe outcomes of COVID-19, nonetheless our data suggest that it is not a major concern for families and individuals with DS.…”