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Hospitalizations for COVID-19 among Canada’s youngest surged by more than 600% in the second year of the pandemic

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The second year of the pandemic saw a surge of hospitalizations for COVID-19 and other infections among Canadian children age 0 to 4. Data from the Canadian Institute for ϱ Information (CIHI) shows that COVID-19 was the sixth most common reason kids in this age group were hospitalized in 2021–2022. This represents an increase of more than 600%, with a total of 2,315 COVID-19 hospitalizations among this cohort in 2021–2022 compared with 325 hospitalizations in 2020–2021. See Inpatient Hospitalization, Surgery and Newborn Statistics, 2021–2022 (XLSX).

CIHI’s report shows that in addition to an increase in hospitalizations for COVID-19, respiratory infections (including pneumonia) and other viral infections returned as top 10 diagnoses that required hospitalization for Canadians age 0 to 4 in 2021–2022. The increase in hospitalizations for virus-related illnesses coincided with the easing of public health measures across the country.

“This uptick in hospitalizations for COVID-19, respiratory infections and other viral illnesses seen among the youngest Canadians in the second year of the pandemic is concerning both for the health of our youngest and most vulnerable, and for the additional strain placed on health systems and health care workers that were already stretched thin,” said Juliana Wu, Director, Acute and Ambulatory Care Information Services, CIHI. “We are continuing to monitor hospital activity in this third year of the pandemic to understand the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on Canadians.”

COVID-19 continued to present challenges for Canadians of all ages and was the second most common reason for hospitalization in Canada in 2021–2022, jumping from seventh in 2020–2021. This represents an increase of more than 60%, with a total of 77,344 hospitalizations in 2021–2022 compared with 47,715 hospitalizations in 2020–2021.

Quick facts

Top 10 reasons for hospitalization, Canadians age 0 to 4

2021–2022 2020–2021
  1. Neonatal jaundice
  2. Other acute lower respiratory infections
  3. Disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight
  4. Asthma
  5. Pneumonia
  6. COVID-19
  7. Acute upper respiratory infections
  8. Respiratory distress of newborn
  9. Convulsions
  10. Viral infection of unspecified site
  1. Neonatal jaundice
  2. Disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight
  3. Other diseases of the urinary system (e.g., UTI)
  4. Respiratory distress of newborn
  5. Other mental health disorders (e.g., sleep apnea)
  6. Fever
  7. Feeding problems of newborn
  8. Other medical care (e.g., chemotherapy)
  9. Other conditions in the perinatal period
  10. Convulsions

Top 10 reasons for hospitalization, Canadians of all ages

2021–2022 2020–2021
  1. Giving birth
  2. COVID-19
  3. Heart failure
  4. Acute myocardial infarction
  5. Substance use disorders
  6. Other medical care (e.g., palliative care)
  7. COPD and bronchitis
  8. Neurocognitive disorders
  9. Mood (affective) disorders
  10. Osteoarthritis of the knee
  1. Giving birth
  2. Acute myocardial infarction
  3. Heart failure
  4. Substance use disorders
  5. Other medical care (e.g., palliative care)
  6. Osteoarthritis of the knee
  7. COVID-19
  8. COPD and bronchitis
  9. Mood (affective) disorders
  10. Neurocognitive disorders

About CIHI

The Canadian Institute for ϱ Information (CIHI) is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing essential health information to all Canadians.

ϱworks closely with federal, provincial and territorial partners and stakeholders throughout Canada to gather, package and disseminate information to inform policy, management, care and research, leading to better and more equitable health outcomes for all Canadians.

ϱ information has become one of society’s most valuable public goods. For more than 25 years, ϱhas set the pace on data privacy, security, accessibility and innovation to improve Canada’s health systems. 

CIHI: Better data. Better decisions. ϱier Canadians.

Media contacts

  media@cihi.ca

For English inquiries:
Stephanie Bright
289-981-8458

For French inquiries: 
Claire Brassard 
437-235-7918

How to cite:

Canadian Institute for ϱ Information. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 among Canada’s youngest surged by more than 600% in the second year of the pandemic. Accessed January 4, 2025.