COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 Seropositivity in Children of Healthcare Workers in London (preprint)

ABSTRACT

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic in the UK began in late January 2020 and peaked in mid-April before declining. Children typically develop only very mild symptoms and it remains unclear what role children play in the spread of COVID-19. The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthy children of healthcare workers. Methods: Healthy children of healthcare workers, were recruited in London during May 2020. Participants had nose and throat swabs tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection via RT-qPCR and blood serums samples for SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. Findings: A total of 215 children from 126 families took part and 25(12%) were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2. Children of clinical healthcare workers were significantly more likely to be seropositive 23/133(17%) than those of non-clinical healthcare workers 2/83(2%); p=0.001.In children of parents with confirmed COVID-19, seropositivity was 19/47(40%) compared to 3/44(7%) in children of parents with suspected COVID-19 and 3/124(2%) in children of asymptomatic parents (p<0.001). Overall, 15/83(18%) of symptomatic children were seropositive compared to 10/132(8%) of asymptomatic children (p=0.02). The most commonly reported symptoms were fever 7/25(28%), headache 4/25(16%) and lethargy 5/25(20%). None of the children were hospitalised with COVID-19. Interpretation: The secondary attack rate in children of healthcare workers with confirmed COVID-19 was 40% compared to 2% of children in families with no reported symptoms. One in three seropositive children were asymptomatic.Trial Registration NCT0434740Funding Statement This study was funded by the Public Health Agency [COM/5596/20].Declaration of Interests None disclosed.Ethics Approval Statement The London (Chelsea) research ethics committee reviewed the study protocol and provided a favourable outcome (Project ID 282617, OREC ID 20/HRA/1731).