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

Thomas Waterfield*, Chris Watson, Rebecca Moore, Kathryn Ferris, Claire Tonry, Alison Watt, Claire McGinn, Steven Foster, Jennifer Evans, Mark David Lyttle, Shazaad Ahmad, Shamez Ladhani, Michael Corr, Lisa McFetridge, Hannah Mitchell, Kevin Brown, Gayatri Amirthalingam, Julie Ann Maney, Sharon Christie

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

92 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background Studies 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. Design This 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. Results 1007 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). Discussion Children 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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)680-685
Number of pages6
JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood
Volume106
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Funding This work was supported by HSC R&D Division, Public Health Agency Ref: COM/5596/20. This funding source had no role in the design of this study and will not have any role during its execution, analyses, interpretation of the data or decision to submit the result.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Archives of Disease in Childhood

Keywords

  • epidemiology
  • virology
  • EPIDEMIOLOGY

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