Adverse effects of remdesivir for the treatment of acute COVID-19 in the pediatric population: a retrospective observational study
Abstract Background Although the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tends to be lower in children, it can still lead to severe illness, particularly among those with chronic medical conditions. While remdesivir (RDV) is one of the few approved antiviral treatments for COVID-19 in childr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40348-024-00175-9 |
| _version_ | 1797274321226301440 |
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| author | Abigail Schulz Natalie Huynh Margaret Heger Mustafa Bakir |
| author_facet | Abigail Schulz Natalie Huynh Margaret Heger Mustafa Bakir |
| author_sort | Abigail Schulz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Although the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tends to be lower in children, it can still lead to severe illness, particularly among those with chronic medical conditions. While remdesivir (RDV) is one of the few approved antiviral treatments for COVID-19 in children in many countries, the available data on the safety of RDV in this population is limited. Methods To address this knowledge gap, a multicenter study involving 65 patients retrospectively analyzed the clinical data from individuals aged <18 who were hospitalized due to severe COVID-19 (defined as SpO2 < 94% or requiring supplemental oxygen) and received at least one dose of RDV. Additionally, the study encompassed 22 patients with mild-moderate COVID-19 who were considered at high risk of developing severe disease. Results Nineteen children (29%) experienced mild-to-moderate adverse events (AEs) attributed to RDV, including transaminitis in 20% of children, bradycardia in 8%, and hypotension in 5%. AEs did not require discontinuation of RDV, except in one patient who developed premature ventricular contractions. The rate of AEs did not differ between patients with severe COVID-19 and those with mild-moderate COVID-19 but at high risk for severe disease. All but one patient were discharged within 23 days of admission, and no fatalities were recorded. Among high-risk patients with mild-moderate disease, only 2 (9%) progressed to the point of needing supplemental oxygen. Conclusions Our data suggests that RDV is safe in children, with no reported serious AEs. However, the absence of a control group limits the extent to which conclusions can be drawn. RDV may contribute to clinical improvement, particularly in high-risk patients. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:57:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ae1bd999a6074ce0be0c6fc5a10ef119 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2194-7791 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:57:42Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics |
| spelling | doaj.art-ae1bd999a6074ce0be0c6fc5a10ef1192024-03-05T19:22:13ZengSpringerOpenMolecular and Cellular Pediatrics2194-77912024-02-011111910.1186/s40348-024-00175-9Adverse effects of remdesivir for the treatment of acute COVID-19 in the pediatric population: a retrospective observational studyAbigail Schulz0Natalie Huynh1Margaret Heger2Mustafa Bakir3University of Illinois College of Medicine at PeoriaDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Illinois College of Medicine at PeoriaDepartment of Pharmacy, OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of IllinoisDepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Illinois College of Medicine at PeoriaAbstract Background Although the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tends to be lower in children, it can still lead to severe illness, particularly among those with chronic medical conditions. While remdesivir (RDV) is one of the few approved antiviral treatments for COVID-19 in children in many countries, the available data on the safety of RDV in this population is limited. Methods To address this knowledge gap, a multicenter study involving 65 patients retrospectively analyzed the clinical data from individuals aged <18 who were hospitalized due to severe COVID-19 (defined as SpO2 < 94% or requiring supplemental oxygen) and received at least one dose of RDV. Additionally, the study encompassed 22 patients with mild-moderate COVID-19 who were considered at high risk of developing severe disease. Results Nineteen children (29%) experienced mild-to-moderate adverse events (AEs) attributed to RDV, including transaminitis in 20% of children, bradycardia in 8%, and hypotension in 5%. AEs did not require discontinuation of RDV, except in one patient who developed premature ventricular contractions. The rate of AEs did not differ between patients with severe COVID-19 and those with mild-moderate COVID-19 but at high risk for severe disease. All but one patient were discharged within 23 days of admission, and no fatalities were recorded. Among high-risk patients with mild-moderate disease, only 2 (9%) progressed to the point of needing supplemental oxygen. Conclusions Our data suggests that RDV is safe in children, with no reported serious AEs. However, the absence of a control group limits the extent to which conclusions can be drawn. RDV may contribute to clinical improvement, particularly in high-risk patients.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40348-024-00175-9RemdesivirAdverse effectsChildren |
| spellingShingle | Abigail Schulz Natalie Huynh Margaret Heger Mustafa Bakir Adverse effects of remdesivir for the treatment of acute COVID-19 in the pediatric population: a retrospective observational study Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics Remdesivir Adverse effects Children |
| title | Adverse effects of remdesivir for the treatment of acute COVID-19 in the pediatric population: a retrospective observational study |
| title_full | Adverse effects of remdesivir for the treatment of acute COVID-19 in the pediatric population: a retrospective observational study |
| title_fullStr | Adverse effects of remdesivir for the treatment of acute COVID-19 in the pediatric population: a retrospective observational study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adverse effects of remdesivir for the treatment of acute COVID-19 in the pediatric population: a retrospective observational study |
| title_short | Adverse effects of remdesivir for the treatment of acute COVID-19 in the pediatric population: a retrospective observational study |
| title_sort | adverse effects of remdesivir for the treatment of acute covid 19 in the pediatric population a retrospective observational study |
| topic | Remdesivir Adverse effects Children |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40348-024-00175-9 |
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