Report shows second year of COVID-19 most severe for Canadian children
A recent report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) says the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic was particularly tough on Canada's youngest children in terms of hospitalizations.
It found COVID-19 was the sixth most common reason newborns to four-year-olds were hospitalized in 2021-22, with 2,315 patients in that age range.
The numbers rose from 325 patients in 2020-21 -- a 600 per cent increase.
"Some of those other respiratory infections, things like pneumonia, and viral causes have come back," said Nicole Loreti from CIHI. "They've returned to the top 10 in the second year of the pandemic after a decline in the first year."
She added "looking at reports and data like ours can help provide a better understanding and some insights into the reasons that Canadians are going to hospital."
There was a surge of children's hospitalizations for COVID between 2020-21 and 2021-22
PARENTS STRUGGLED
Some parents say the virus was under-recognized for children under age four, and the lack of available vaccines at the time didn't help.
Sarah Elder-Chamanara says her children were one and three years old when they had COVID-19 symptoms last winter, and that protecting her children from the virus was stressful.
"It was a struggle, especially in the early days when testing wasn't available," she said.
She says during the early waves of the pandemic, protections for small children were neglected, especially as vaccines for children between six months and five years old were not available until August 2022.
"I really feel like our children specifically in the age group under five, but all children in general, were really let down the most during the pandemic," said Elder-Chamanara.
A news release from CIHI sent Thursday says "the increase in hospitalizations for virus-related illnesses coincided with the easing of public health measures across the country."
Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary
UNDER-RECOGNITION
One pediatric infectious disease expert says COVID-19's impact on children was often downplayed early in the pandemic.
"The disease was under-recognized and children, a lot of children, didn't even get tested. So we were under-testing, and therefore under-recognizing this disease in kids," said Dr. Cora Constantinescu, pediatrician and infectious disease specialist at Alberta Children's Hospital.
She added, "if you have a child who has never had COVID-19, or whose COVID-19 infection is really, really remote, there is great value in getting the vaccine. Similarly, if you have a child who is more medically complex, we know that those kids can end up in hospital."
There are currently 575 Albertans in hospital for COVID-19. Of those, 16 are in the intensive care unit, but the province is not releasing current data breaking down the age range for patients.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.