Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, is facing a critical shortage of beds as the number of children with respiratory issues requiring hospitalization continues to rise. Hospital staff are working tirelessly to accommodate the surge in patients suffering from illnesses such as the Flu, RSV, and other respiratory infections.

Data from the CDC indicates a notable increase in COVID, Flu, and RSV cases among children under four years old compared to the previous year. Dr. Joel Waddell, a medical professional at the hospital, attributes the severity of these cases to the lack of exposure children had to build their immune systems during the COVID-19 quarantine period.

Dr. Waddell expressed concern over the growing number of young children, aged three to six, requiring hospitalization for common viruses that are typically less prevalent. While respiratory illnesses usually decline in the spring as the cold and flu season subsides, the ongoing impact of the pandemic has led to a rise in illnesses beyond the usual seasonal patterns.

As a precautionary measure, Dr. Waddell advises parents to ensure their children’s vaccinations are up-to-date and to keep them at home if they show any signs of illness.

While Blank Children’s Hospital is grappling with the escalating demand for pediatric respiratory care, other medical facilities in the region have reported a different trend. Mercy Medical Center, UIHC, and UnityPoint Health St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids have not observed a similar increase in pediatric patients requiring hospitalization for respiratory issues.

A spokesperson from UIHC noted a slight uptick in pediatric respiratory cases but emphasized that the current volumes are manageable and not straining their resources or capacity. Despite the challenges faced by Blank Children’s Hospital, the broader medical community in the area appears to be handling the situation with relative stability.