“For COVID” or “With COVID”: Classification of SARS-CoV-2 Hospitalizations in Children

This study found that among 117 pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations, 45% were categorized as 'unlikely' to be caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting that many children were hospitalized for reasons unrelated to COVID-19. Of the 65 hospitalizations considered 'likely' due to COVID-19, the majority were asymptomatic or had mild to moderate illness. These findings indicate that reported pediatric COVID-19 hospitalization rates may overestimate the true disease burden.