The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the expanded approval of Veklury® (remdesivir) to include pediatric patients 28 days of age and older weighing at least 3 kilograms with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing.
This FDA action makes Veklury the first approved injectable COVID-19 treatment for children less than 12 years of age.
Under the expanded indication, a three-day Veklury treatment regimen is recommended to help prevent hospitalization in non-hospitalized COVID-19 pediatric patients at high risk for COVID-19 disease progression.
Injectable COVID-19 Treatment Approved for Infants
COVID-19 Confirmed More Costly and Fatal than Influenza
According to a recent retrospective cohort study conducted at the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, Spain, when adults were hospitalized with COVID-19, they were at a greater risk of death than those with influenza.
After accounting for potential confounders, including age, comorbidities, sex, disease severity, pneumonia, and corticosteroid treatment, these researchers found that COVID-19 patients were more than three times as likely to die after being admitted to hospital than influenza patients.
COVID-19 Confirmed More Costly and Fatal than Influenza
According to a recent retrospective cohort study conducted at the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, Spain, when adults were hospitalized with COVID-19, they were at a greater risk of death than those with influenza.
After accounting for potential confounders, including age, comorbidities, sex, disease severity, pneumonia, and corticosteroid treatment, these researchers found that COVID-19 patients were more than three times as likely to die after being admitted to hospital than influenza patients.
Living Guideline Updated for Drug Treatment of COVID-19
Tenth version recommends nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in patients with confirmed COVID-19 who have highest risk for hospitalization
Short-Term Exposure to Air Pollution Tied to SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Risk for positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR results increased with short-term exposure to PM2.5, PM10, and black carbon
WHO Says Acute Hepatitis Cases in Children Now Reported in 11 Countries
Among 169 reported cases, at least one child has died; 17 children needed liver transplants
No Increased Risk for Appendicitis Reported With mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination
Findings from nationwide study in Denmark show no increased risk in association with vaccination or SARS-CoV-2 infection
Poor Sleep Patterns Tied to Worsening Behavioral Health During Pandemic
Insufficient sleep duration, inconsistent timing of sleep tied to mental health symptoms and substance use