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

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 associate...

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Main Authors: Ignacio Callejas-Caballero, Alba Ruedas-López, Arantxa Berzosa-Sánchez, Marta Illán-Ramos, Belén Joyanes-Abancens, Andrés Bodas-Pinedo, Sara Guillén-Martín, Beatriz Soto-Sánchez, Isabel García-Bermejo, David Molina-Arana, Juan-Ignacio Alós, Elvira Baos-Muñoz, Alberto Delgado-Iribarren, Manuel E. Fuentes-Ferrer, José T. Ramos-Amador
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-05-01
Series:Children
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/5/665
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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.
ISSN:2227-9067