81. SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia and Disease Severity in Pediatric Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Abstract Background Children with COVID-19 may develop severe disease. In hospitalized adults, detection of plasma SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia ranges from 19% to 42% and has been associated with worse clinical outcomes. A similar association in children remains unexplored. We determined the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia in children hospitalized with COVID-19 and evaluated its potential association with severe disease. Methods Single center prospective study that enrolled hospitalized children and adolescents ≤21 years old with COVID-19 from March 2020-April 2021 at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH. Nasopharyngeal (NP) and blood samples were obtained and SARS-CoV-2 RNA was quantified using a real time PCR assay targeting the N1 gene. Pertinent demographic, clinical, laboratory, and outcome data were evaluated. Results We enrolled a convenience sample of 103 hospitalized children (median age, 9 years; range, 3 days-21 years) who had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and both NP and blood samples obtained (Table 1). Overall, 27 (26%) patients with COVID-19 had SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia. Compared with patients who had undetectable RNAemia, those with SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia had significantly higher nasopharyngeal RNA loads (8.1 vs. 4.9 log10 copies/mL; p=0.0006), fever (78 vs 54%; p=0.02), receipt of supplemental oxygen (37% vs 14%; p=0.02), and treatment with anti-COVID-19 medications (30% vs 12%; p=0.04). In addition, patients with SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia were more likely to require intensive care (40%% vs. 20%, p= 0.04) and had longer hospitalization (2.56 vs 2.15 days; p=0.03). There were no COVID-19 related deaths. Table 1. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and virology characteristics of study patients Conclusion The frequency of SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia in pediatric patients was 26% and its finding was associated with worse clinical in-hospital outcomes, similar to that reported in adults. Testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia in children may help identify those who could benefit from more intensive supportive care as well as antiviral and anti-inflammatory medications. Disclosures Octavio Ramilo, MD, Adagio (Consultant)Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Grant/Research Support)Janssen (Grant/Research Support)Lilly (Consultant)Merck (Consultant, Grant/Research Support)NIH (Grant/Research Support)Pfizer (Consultant)SANOFI (Board Member) Asuncion Mejias, MD, PhD, MsCS, Janssen (Grant/Research Support, Advisor or Review Panel member)Merck (Grant/Research Support, Advisor or Review Panel member)Roche (Advisor or Review Panel member)Sanofi (Advisor or Review Panel member)