The evolution of the COVID‐19 pandemic in paediatric patients with sickle cell disease: From Alpha to Omicron

Abstract

Summary We compare the impact of SARS‐CoV‐2 variants on healthcare utilization and clinical presentation in paediatric patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). One hundred and ninety‐one unique patients with SCD and positive SARS‐CoV‐2 polymerase chain reactions were identified between March 2020 and January 2022. Hospitalizations, which accounted for 42% (N = 81) of cases, were highest during the Delta dominant era (48%) and lowest during Omicron (36%) (p = 0.285). The most common SCD‐related complication was vaso‐occlusive pain (37%, N = 71), which accounted for 51% of all hospital admissions (N = 41), and acute chest was highest in the Alpha variant era (N = 15). Overall, COVID‐19 remained mild in clinical severity within most paediatric SCD patients.