Summary:

- The article discusses a study by the COVID-NET surveillance system that examined the characteristics and hospitalization rates of children aged 18 years or younger who were hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in 14 states from March 1 to July 25, 2020.

- The study found that the hospitalization rate for children was 8.0 per 100,000 population, with the highest rates among infants and children aged 12-17 years. Underlying medical conditions were present in 42.3% of hospitalized children, with the most common conditions being obesity, chronic lung disease, and neurological disorders.

- The article highlights the importance of continued monitoring and reporting of COVID-19 cases in children to better understand the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of the disease in this population, which can inform public health policies and clinical management strategies.