SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in preschool and school-age children

Ott, Raffael; Achenbach, Peter; Ewald, Dominik; Friedl, Nadine; Gemulla, Gita; Hubmann, Michael; Kordonouri, Olga; Loff, Anja; Marquardt, Erika; Sifft, Philipp; Sporreiter, Melanie; Zapardiel‐Gonzalo, Jose; Ziegler, Anette‐G.

doi:10.3238/arztebl.m2022.0355

Cited by 15 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Hence, in the youngest, unvaccinated, age group, seroconversion was likely induced solely by infection, indicating that a large percentage (80%) of that age group had already been infected with SARS-CoV-2 by March 2022. Similar levels of infections in children have been reported from Bavaria, Germany, including seroprevalences of 67% for preschool children 1–4 years of age and 84% for school-age children 5–10 years of age in June 2022, largely caused by the Omicron variant ( 10 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

High Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Infection Despite High Seroprevalence, Sweden, 2022

Groenheit¹,

Bacchus²,

Galanis³

et al. 2023

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

High Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Infection Despite High Seroprevalence, Sweden, 2022

Groenheit¹,

Bacchus²,

Galanis³

et al. 2023

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

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“…Since the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 variant omicron (B.1.1.529), the COVID-19 pandemic has gradually evolved into an endemic situation. Meanwhile, most adolescents and children had one or more contacts with SARS-CoV-2 and/or its spike antigen included in COVID-19 vaccines [ 42 , 43 ]. With the increasing probability of SARS-CoV-2 infection in history, reduced SARS-CoV-2 testing worldwide, and non-persistence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in many individuals, a clear attribution of persisting or new symptoms to a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection is not possible in many cases.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long COVID in pediatrics—epidemiology, diagnosis, and management

Toepfner,

Brinkmann,

Augustin

et al. 2024

Eur J Pediatr

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This review summarizes current knowledge on post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) and post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) in children and adolescents. A literature review was performed to synthesize information from clinical studies, expert opinions, and guidelines. PASC also termed Long COVID — at any age comprise a plethora of unspecific symptoms present later than 4 weeks after confirmed or probable infection with severe respiratory syndrome corona virus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), without another medical explanation. PCC in children and adolescents was defined by the WHO as PASC occurring within 3 months of acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), lasting at least 2 months, and limiting daily activities. Pediatric PASC mostly manifest after mild courses of COVID-19 and in the majority of cases remit after few months. However, symptoms can last for more than 1 year and may result in significant disability. Frequent symptoms include fatigue, exertion intolerance, and anxiety. Some patients present with postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), and a small number of cases fulfill the clinical criteria of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). To date, no diagnostic marker has been established, and differential diagnostics remains challenging. Therapeutic approaches include appropriate self-management as well as the palliation of symptoms by non-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical strategies. Conclusion: PASC in pediatrics present with heterogenous severity and duration. A stepped, interdisciplinary, and individualized approach is essential for appropriate clinical management. Current health care structures have to be adapted, and research was extended to meet the medical and psychosocial needs of young people with PASC or similar conditions. What is Known:• Post-acute sequelae of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) (PASC) — also termed Long COVID — in children and adolescents can lead to activity limitation and reduced quality of life.• PASC belongs to a large group of similar post-acute infection syndromes (PAIS). Specific biomarkers and causal treatment options are not yet available. What is New:• In February 2023, a case definition for post COVID-19 condition (PCC) in children and adolescents was provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), indicating PASC with duration of at least 2 months and limitation of daily activities. PCC can present as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).• Interdisciplinary collaborations are necessary and have been established worldwide to offer harmonized, multimodal approaches to diagnosis and management of PASC/PCC in children and adolescents.

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“…In summer/early fall 2022, children and adolescents in Germany demonstrated a high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of 70–99% [ 6 , 9 , 15 , 27 ]. Surveys of adults, however, indicated even higher SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence rates [ 28 – 31 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since winter 2021/2022, the Omicron variant also spread rapidly in the pediatric population because of its increased transmissibility [ 5 , 6 ]. Thus, during the Omicron surge, high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence rates were detected in children and adolescents in Germany (2–6 years: 70%, 14–17 years: 92% [ 6 – 8 ]), Switzerland (0–5 years: 76.7%, 6–11 years: 90.5% [ 9 ]), Italy (2–11 years: 57% [ 10 ]) and Ireland (1–4 years: 28.8%, 5–12 years: 43.5% [ 11 ]). However, compared with the Delta variant [ 12 , 13 ], Omicron-associated illness was less severe and frequently asymptomatic, particularly in children younger than 5 years [ 14 , 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

SARS-CoV-2 sero-immunity and quality of life in children and adolescents in relation to infections and vaccinations: the IMMUNEBRIDGE KIDS cross-sectional study, 2022

Engels,

Oechsle,

Schlegtendal

et al. 2023

Infection

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Purpose The study evaluates the effects on sero-immunity, health status and quality of life of children and adolescents after the upsurge of the Omicron variant in Germany. Methods This multicenter cross-sectional study (IMMUNEBRIDGE Kids) was conducted within the German Network University Medicine (NUM) from July to October 2022. SARS-CoV-2- antibodies were measured and data on SARS-CoV-2 infections, vaccinations, health and socioeconomic factors as well as caregiver-reported evaluation on their children’s health and psychological status were assessed. Results 497 children aged 2–17 years were included. Three groups were analyzed: 183 pre-schoolchildren aged 2–4 years, 176 schoolchildren aged 5–11 years and 138 adolescents aged 12–18 years. Positive antibodies against the S- or N-antigen of SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 86.5% of all participants (70.0% [128/183] of pre-schoolchildren, 94.3% of schoolchildren [166/176] and 98.6% of adolescents [136/138]). Among all children, 40.4% (201/497) were vaccinated against COVID-19 (pre-schoolchildren 4.4% [8/183], schoolchildren 44.3% [78/176] and adolescents 83.3% [115/138]). SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was lowest in pre-school. Health status and quality of life reported by the parents were very positive at the time of the survey (Summer 2022). Conclusion Age-related differences on SARS-CoV-2 sero-immunity could mainly be explained by differences in vaccination rates based on the official German vaccination recommendations as well as differences in SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in the different age groups. Health status and quality of life of almost all children were very good independent of SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or vaccination. Trial registration German Registry for Clinical Trials Identifier Würzburg: DRKS00025546 (registration: 11.09.2021), Bochum: DRKS00022434 (registration:07.08.2020), Dresden: DRKS 00022455 (registration: 23.07.2020).

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SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in preschool and school-age children

Cited by 15 publications

References 11 publications

High Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Infection Despite High Seroprevalence, Sweden, 2022

High Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Infection Despite High Seroprevalence, Sweden, 2022

Long COVID in pediatrics—epidemiology, diagnosis, and management

SARS-CoV-2 sero-immunity and quality of life in children and adolescents in relation to infections and vaccinations: the IMMUNEBRIDGE KIDS cross-sectional study, 2022

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