Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in children: a prospective multicentre cohort study

BackgroundStudies based on molecular testing of oral/nasal swabs underestimate SARS-CoV-2 infection due to issues with test sensitivity, test timing and selection bias. The objective of this study was to report the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, consistent with previous infection.DesignThis mult...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of disease in childhood 2021-07, Vol.106 (7), p.680-686
Main Authors: Waterfield, Thomas, Watson, Chris, Moore, Rebecca, Ferris, Kathryn, Tonry, Claire, Watt, Alison, McGinn, Claire, Foster, Steven, Evans, Jennifer, Lyttle, Mark David, Ahmad, Shazaad, Ladhani, Shamez, Corr, Michael, McFetridge, Lisa, Mitchell, Hannah, Brown, Kevin, Amirthalingam, Gayatri, Maney, Julie-Ann, Christie, Sharon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Antibodies
Asymptomatic
Bias
Child Health
Children
Children & youth
Cohort analysis
Consent
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Diagnostic Tests
Epidemiology
Fatigue
Health care
Infections
Informed Consent
Medical personnel
Observational studies
Olfaction
Original Research
Pandemics
Pediatrics
Phlebotomy
Public health
Registration
Sensitivity analysis
Serology
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Taste
Workers
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Summary:BackgroundStudies based on molecular testing of oral/nasal swabs underestimate SARS-CoV-2 infection due to issues with test sensitivity, test timing and selection bias. The objective of this study was to report the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, consistent with previous infection.DesignThis multicentre observational cohort study, conducted between 16 April to 3 July 2020 at 5 UK sites, recruited children of healthcare workers, aged 2–15 years. Participants provided blood samples for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing and data were gathered regarding unwell contacts and symptoms.Results1007 participants were enrolled, and 992 were included in the final analysis. The median age of participants was 10·1 years. There were 68 (6.9%) participants with positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests indicative of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of these, 34/68 (50%) reported no symptoms prior to testing. The presence of antibodies and the mean antibody titre was not influenced by age. Following multivariable analysis four independent variables were identified as significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity: known infected household contact OR=10.9 (95% CI 6.1 to 19.6); fatigue OR=16.8 (95% CI 5.5 to 51.9); gastrointestinal symptoms OR=6.6 (95% CI 3.0 to 13.8); and changes in sense of smell or taste OR=10.0 (95% CI 2.4 to 11.4).DiscussionChildren demonstrated similar antibody titres in response to SARS-CoV-2 irrespective of age. Fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms and changes in sense of smell or taste were the symptoms most strongly associated with SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity.Trial registration number NCT0434740.
ISSN:0003-9888
1468-2044
DOI:10.1136/archdischild-2020-320558