Posters
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Community/Public Health
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background & Objectives: On August 2020, the AAP reported that Texas only provides pediatric age distribution for 8% of COVID-19 testing results. In response to the limited data availability, our research focused on tracking test positivity rates for the pediatric population (ages 0-19) in the Rio Grande Valley from March 30 through August 7, 2020.
Methods & Analysis: The research study received IRB exemption status on August 9, 2020. We obtained deidentified data from UT Health RGV COVID testing sites in Hidalgo and Cameron county. SPSS was used to find the mean and median age and frequency over time of pediatric COVID-19 positive cases.
Results: Mean age of the pediatric population was twelve years old with 50% of positive cases between 0-15 years old.
- Highest frequency of COVID-19 positive cases was found among 18-19 years old.
- Each age exhibited more negative cases than positive except for 0 years old and 5 years old
- Pediatric cases in Hidalgo County were positive 37.9% of the time, 32.2% in Cameron County, and 27.3% in other counties (Starr, Willacy, etc.)
- The highest cases of COVID-19 within the pediatric population occurred between the months of July and August.
Our study found 36.3% of pediatrics patients tested positive vs. national average 3.6-18.3%, and 11.0% of our total positive cases were pediatric patients vs. 9.1% nationally.
Conclusions: At the local level, our data can help pediatricians target appropriate resources for COVID-19 impacted families. At the state level, the data can provide current trends and relevant information on pediatric COVID-19 testing throughout the state to help inform legislative decision making.
Academic/Professional Position
Medical Student
Recommended Citation
Asif, Naba and Chandler, Jefferson, "A closer look at COVID testing among the pediatric population living along the Texas-Mexico Border" (2023). Research Symposium. 13.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/theme1/posters/13
Included in
A closer look at COVID testing among the pediatric population living along the Texas-Mexico Border
Background & Objectives: On August 2020, the AAP reported that Texas only provides pediatric age distribution for 8% of COVID-19 testing results. In response to the limited data availability, our research focused on tracking test positivity rates for the pediatric population (ages 0-19) in the Rio Grande Valley from March 30 through August 7, 2020.
Methods & Analysis: The research study received IRB exemption status on August 9, 2020. We obtained deidentified data from UT Health RGV COVID testing sites in Hidalgo and Cameron county. SPSS was used to find the mean and median age and frequency over time of pediatric COVID-19 positive cases.
Results: Mean age of the pediatric population was twelve years old with 50% of positive cases between 0-15 years old.
- Highest frequency of COVID-19 positive cases was found among 18-19 years old.
- Each age exhibited more negative cases than positive except for 0 years old and 5 years old
- Pediatric cases in Hidalgo County were positive 37.9% of the time, 32.2% in Cameron County, and 27.3% in other counties (Starr, Willacy, etc.)
- The highest cases of COVID-19 within the pediatric population occurred between the months of July and August.
Our study found 36.3% of pediatrics patients tested positive vs. national average 3.6-18.3%, and 11.0% of our total positive cases were pediatric patients vs. 9.1% nationally.
Conclusions: At the local level, our data can help pediatricians target appropriate resources for COVID-19 impacted families. At the state level, the data can provide current trends and relevant information on pediatric COVID-19 testing throughout the state to help inform legislative decision making.