Seroepidemiological and Molecular Survey for Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Children in Iran, September 2020 to June 2021: One-Year Cross-sectional Study (preprint)

A population-based seroepidemiological and molecular survey for detection of earlier and re-cent SARS-CoV-2 infection was done in children aged 14 years or less in Tehran between 19 September 2020 and 21 June 2021. Demographic data, COVID-19 symptoms and infection status were recorded and IgG antibodies and RNA of SARS-CoV-2 were detected in sera and nasopha-ryngeal swab samples, respectively. Out of 1517 participants, cardinal symptoms of COVID-19 (fever >38 oC and/or cough and/or diarrhea) were detected in 18% and serological history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and PCR positivity were confirmed in 33.2% and 10.7% of the weighted-population, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 infection was significantly higher among 10–14-year-old children. Active infection was significantly higher in symptomatic children and during autumn 2020 and spring 2021. The RT-qPCR positivity was related to contact with in-fected persons. RT-qPCR positivity was significantly higher among families with a lower socio-economic status, while no association between RT-qPCR- or seropositivity was determined with household size, underlying diseases, or gender. In conclusion, high SARS-CoV-2 infection prev-alence and seroprevalence was detected in children in Tehran in different seasons. The infection was significantly higher in older age children, and those with a positive-history of close contact with infected cases and/or lower socioeconomic status.

Clinical Manifestation and Maternal Complications and Neonatal outcomes in Pregnant Women with COVID 19: An Update a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (preprint)

Background Existing evidence indicates that the risk of obstetric and perinatal outcomes is higher in women with coronavirus infection. outbreaks suggest that pregnant women and their fetuses are particularly susceptible to poor outcomes. However, there is little known about pregnancy related complications and co-morbidity in this group of women. Therefore, this, systematic review and meta-analysis performed in order to find out whether COVID-19 may cause different manifestations and outcomes in antepartum and postpartum period or not.Methods We searched databases, including Medline (PubMed), Embase, Scopus, Web of sciences, Cochrane library, Ovid and CINHAL to retrieve all articles reporting the prevalence of maternal and neonatal complications, in addition clinical manifestations, in pregnant women with COVID 19 that published with English language from January to April 2020. Results 11 studies with total 177 pregnant women included in this systematic review.Results show that the pooled prevalence of neonatal mortality, lower birth weight, stillbirth, premature birth, and intrauterine fetal distress in women with COVID 19 were 4% (95% Cl: 1 - 9%), 21% (95% Cl: 11 – 31%), 2% (95% Cl: 1 - 6%), 28% (95% Cl: 12 - 44%), and 15% (95% Cl: 4 - 26%); respectively. Also the pooled prevalence of fever, cough, diarrhea and dyspnea were 56% (95% Cl: 30 - 83%), 30% (95% Cl: 21 - 39%), 9% (95% Cl: 2 - 16%), and 3% (95% Cl: 1 - 6%) in the pregnant women with COVID-19.Conclusion According to this systematic review and meta-analysis, the pregnant women with COVID-19 with or without pneumonia, are at a higher risk of pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, miscarriage and cesarean delivery. Furthermore, the risk of LBW and intrauterine fetal distress seems increased in neonates.