Guzman BV, Elbel B, Jay M, et al. - Obesity was found to be an independent risk factor for critical illness in pediatric patients, and this link was varied by age, with obesity being associated with a higher risk of critical illness in adolescents but not in children. Such findings are important for patient risk stratification and care.

• SARS-CoV-2-positive patients aged 0–21 years at NYU Langone Health from March 1, 2020, to January 3, 2021, with accessible anthropometric measurements: weight, length/height, and/or BMI.

• Obesity was found in 115 of 494 patients (23.3%).

• Obesity was found to be an independent risk factor for critical illness.

• Obesity was linked to a higher risk of critical illness in adolescents (13–21 years), but not in children (0–12 years), depending on their age.

• Obesity did not appear to be an independent risk factor for hospitalization in any age group.