Predictors of Mortality Among Children with Confirmed and Suspected Cases of COVID-19 in East Java, Indonesia

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increases rapidly and causes mortality in all groups, including children. However, the predictive risk factors of mortality among children remain inconclusive. This study aimed to analyse the predictors related to mortality among children with COVID-19. METHODS: Secondary data analysis was conducted using provincial COVID-19 data from April 2020 to May 2021. We selected 6441 children under age 18 to be included in this study. Chi-square and binary logistic regression were used to evaluate the predictors of mortality in children with COVID-19. RESULTS: This study showed that the prevalence of children who died COVID-19 was 2.7%. Age, case definition, treatment status, severity of illness, and travel history had a significant relationship with survival status in children with COVID-19. As the increasing age, the risk of death with COVID-19 will decrease [AOR=0.94; CI 95%=0.91–0.97]. Otherwise, suspected status [AOR=2.12; 95% CI=1.48–3.04], hospitalization with ventilators [AOR=22.25; 95% CI=5.73–86.42], severe illness [AOR=46.76; 95% CI=21.69–100.80], and travel history [AOR=1.78; 95% CI=1.22–2.60] were significantly related with an increased risk of death in children with COVID-19. DISCUSSION: Severe illness in children was the strongest predictor of mortality. Disease prevention and health promotion programs are the key to preventing hospitalizations in children and decreasing the mortality rate.