SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in children and their family members, July-October 2020, Brussels.
Eur J Pediatr
; 181(3): 1009-1016, 2022 Mar.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1479475
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a pediatric population after the first pandemic wave in Belgium. All patients requiring a blood sample between 1 July 2020 and 31 October 2020 in our institution were invited to participate. Their parents and siblings could also participate to estimate familial transmission and the congruence between serological statuses. A questionnaire was completed for each participant to identify symptoms consistent with COVID-19 in the previous months. Blood samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2-specific immunoglobulin G using ELISA. The final population included 112 children, 24 siblings of these children, and 36 adults. The seroprevalence of cases was 6.9% before 8 September, a date that corresponds to 1 week after the beginning of the second wave in Belgium and 22.5% afterwards (OR = 3.89, 95% CI (1.20; 12.58), p-value = 0.03). Twenty-five percent of children were asymptomatic, and none experienced severe disease. The symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2-positive antibodies were diarrhoea (OR = 9.9, 95% CI [2.88; 33.87.65] p-value < 0.01), fever (OR = 3.8, 95% CI [1.44; 10.22] p-value < 0.01), rhinitis (OR = 3.9, 95% CI [1.38; 10.90] p-value = 0.01), or anosmia (OR = 31.5, 95% CI [1.45; 682.7], p-value = 0.02). A child was the first symptomatic household member in 50% of the familial clusters.Conclusion:
Seroprevalence in children was comparable to that of the general population. Children could represent the source of infection in the household. What is Known ⢠COVID-19 infection is generally mild or asymptomatic in children and adolescents. ⢠Belgian strategy of testing was focused on symptoms. ⢠Adults are believed to be responsible for most of familial clusters. What is New ⢠Serological testing gives a more accurate view of the rate of infected children. ⢠Based on serological results, children have been infected as frequently as adults during the first and second wave in Belgium. ⢠Seventy-five percent of SARS-CoV-2 IgG-positive children presented a mild symptomatology, and 25% were totally asymptomatic. ⢠Children could represent the source of infection within household.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Child
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Eur J Pediatr
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S00431-021-04284-9
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