Pediatric Infection and Vaccine

The Korean Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (대한소아감염학회)
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Epidemiology of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Infants and Toddlers, Seoul, South Korea

서울시 5세 미만 영유아 코로나19 감염의 역학적 특성

  • JiWoo Sim (Department of Infectious Disease Control, Seoul Metropolitan Government) ;
  • Euncheol Son (Department of Infectious Disease Control, Seoul Metropolitan Government) ;
  • Young June Choe (Department of Pediatrics, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2022.12.01
  • Accepted : 2024.01.15
  • Published : 2024.04.25
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Abstract

Purpose: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed a significant burden to infant and toddler's care globally, while the disease severity is generally mild in this age group. In this study, we aimed to assess epidemiological and clinical aspects of COVID-19 in infants and toddlers in Seoul, South Korea. Methods: We used Seoul Metropolitan Government's epidemiological investigation database to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in infants and toddlers, between March 2020 to December 2021. Results: A total of 5,025 infants and toddlers aged <5 years was diagnosed between the observed period. 2,720 (54.1%) had symptoms, and fever was the most common symptom in 1,941 (74.1%). Of the diagnosed cases, 96.4% did not have underlying diseases. In a district level, extended opening of childcare facility was associated with increased risk of COVID-19 in infants and toddlers. Conclusions: An efficient monitoring system, resembling routine clinical care, is crucial, considering the low rates of severe progression and fatality among infants and toddlers. Moreover, a well-grounded intervention based on scientific evidence, rather than unconditional closures, is necessary to establish a suitable childcare policy that ensures safety from infectious diseases while not overlooking the developmental aspects of social skills.

목적: 전세계적으로 코로나19에 대한 사회적 거리두기의 일환으로 보육시설에 대한 폐쇄, 휴원 및 재개원 등 영유아 대상 보육관련 정책에 변화가 있었다. 본 논문에서는 서울시에서 코로나19로 확진 영유아를 대상으로 인구학적, 역학적 특성을 파악하고, 연관이 있는 요인에 대한 분석을 하고자 하였다. 방법: 2020년 3월부터 2021년 12월까지 서울시에서 코로나19로 확진된 만 5세 미만의 영유아를 대상으로 역학조사서 및 집단발생 관련 자료를 분석하였다. 결과: 서울시 코로나19 확진 영유아는 총 5,025명이었다. 유증상자는 2,720명(54.1%)이며, 주된 증상은 발열(1,941명, 71.4%)이었다. 전체 코로나19 확진 영유아 중 96.4%는 기저질환이 없었다. 시간연장(야간, 24시, 휴일 등) 보육운영시설 비율이 높을수록 보육시설 관련 영유아 확진 비율이 높았음을 확인하였다. 결론: 영유아들의 낮은 중증화율과 치명률을 고려한 '일상 진료 시스템'과 같은 효율적인 모니터링 시스템이 필요할 것이다. 또한 무조건적인 폐쇄적 접근이 아닌, 과학적 근거에 기반하고 사회성 발달 과제를 놓치지 않을 수 있는 '감염병으로부터 안전한 보육 정책 마련'이라는 적절한 중재가 필요할 것이다.

Keywords

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