A Prospective Study of the Serological, Clinical, and Epidemiological Features of a SARS-CoV-2 Positive Pediatric Cohort

• Main Authors: Ignacio Callejas-Caballero (Author), Alba Ruedas-López (Author), Arantxa Berzosa-Sánchez (Author), Marta Illán-Ramos (Author), Belén Joyanes-Abancens (Author), Andrés Bodas-Pinedo (Author), Sara Guillén-Martín (Author), Beatriz Soto-Sánchez (Author), Isabel García-Bermejo (Author), David Molina-Arana (Author), Juan-Ignacio Alós (Author), Elvira Baos-Muñoz (Author), Alberto Delgado-Iribarren (Author), Manuel E. Fuentes-Ferrer (Author), José T. Ramos-Amador (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2022-05-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Background: SARS-CoV-2 was a global pandemic. Children develop a mild disease and may have a different rate of seroconversion compared to adults. The objective was to determine the number of seronegative patients in a pediatric cohort. We also reviewed the clinical-epidemiological features associated with seroconversion. Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study during September-November 2020, of COVID-19, confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Data were obtained 4-8 weeks after diagnosis. Blood samples were collected to investigate the humoral response, using three different serological methods. Results: A total of 111 patients were included (98 symptomatic), 8 were admitted to hospital, none required an Intensive Care Unit visit. Median age: 88 months (IQR: 24-149). Median time between diagnosis and serological test: 37 days (IQR: 34-44). A total of 19 patients were non-seroconverters when using three serological techniques (17.1%; 95% CI: 10.6-25.4); most were aged 2-10 years (35%, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Univariate analysis yielded a lower rate of seroconversion when COVID-19 confirmation was not present amongst household contacts (51.7%; <i>p</i> < 0.05). Conclusions: There was a high proportion of non-seroconverters. This is more commonly encountered in childhood than in adults. Most seronegative patients were in the group aged 2-10 years, and when COVID-19 was not documented in household contacts. Most developed a mild disease. Frequently, children were not the index case within the family.

Item Description

10.3390/children9050665
2227-9067