Epidemiology and clinical manifestation of mpox in children: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Viola Savy Dsouza, Jestina Rachel Kurian, Angela Brand
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined paediatric mpox epidemiology, risk factors, clinical manifestations and management, drawing on primary studies published in 2023–2024. Of 1,414 database records and 24 gray-literature records, 22 studies were included. Reported PCR positivity varied by setting, from 6.95% in non-endemic regions to 35.6% in endemic areas. Common manifestations included progressive skin lesions and fever; the review also identified younger age, household contact, coinfections and socioeconomic factors in relation to infection or severity.
Key findings
- PCR positivity ranged from 6.95% in non-endemic regions to 35.6% in endemic areas.
- Progressive skin lesions and fever were reported as clinical manifestations in children with mpox.
- Younger children were described as more susceptible to severe complications.
- Close household contact, coinfections and socioeconomic factors were identified as key risk factors.
Why it matters
The review highlights variation in paediatric mpox positivity across settings and identifies clinical features and risk factors relevant to recognising and assessing infection in children. Its findings also point to challenges in endemic regions and support attention to age-specific public health responses, diagnostic capacity and consistent clinical guidance, while the underlying evidence remains heterogeneous.
What to keep in mind
The review included only 22 studies, including case reports, and reported substantial variation in positivity by region; the abstract does not provide pooled estimates for clinical outcomes.