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

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

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Authors

Thomas Waterfield

Chris Watson

Rebecca Moore

Kathryn Ferris

Claire Tonry

Alison Watt

Claire McGinn

Steven Foster

Jennifer Evans

Shazaad Ahmad

Shamez Ladhani

Michael Corr

Lisa McFetridge

Hannah Mitchell

Kevin Brown

Gayatri Amirthalingam

Julie-Ann Maney

Sharon Christie



Contributors

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-1 antibody positivity. Trial registration number: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov (trial registration: NCT0434740) on the 15 April 2020.

Citation

Waterfield, T., Watson, C., Moore, R., Ferris, K., Tonry, C., Watt, A., …Christie, S. (2021). Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in children: A prospective multicentre cohort study. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 106(7), 680-686. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2020-320558

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 12, 2020
Online Publication Date Nov 10, 2020
Publication Date 2021
Deposit Date Mar 31, 2021
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Archives of Disease in Childhood
Print ISSN 0003-9888
Electronic ISSN 1468-2044
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 106
Issue 7
Pages 680-686
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2020-320558
Keywords Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7243852

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