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Kulkarni D, Ismail NF, Zhu F, Wang X, del Carmen Morales G, Srivastava A, Allen KE, Spinardi J, Rahman AE, Kyaw MH, Nair H. Epidemiology and clinical features of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents in the pre-Omicron era: A global systematic review and meta-analysis. J Glob Health 2024; 14:05003. [PMID: 38419461 PMCID: PMC10902805 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.14.05003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, CQvip, and the World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 global literature databases for primary studies recruiting children aged ≤18 years with a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed either by molecular or antigen tests. We used the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools to appraise the study quality and conducted meta-analyses using the random effects model for all outcomes except for race/ethnicity as risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results We included 237 studies, each reporting at least one of the study outcomes. Based on data from 117 studies, the pooled SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate was 9.30% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 7.15-11.73). Having a comorbidity was identified as a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection (risk ratio (RR) = 1.33; 95% CI = 1.04-1.71) based on data from 49 studies. Most cases in this review presented with mild disease (n = 50; 52.47% (95% CI = 44.03-60.84)). However, 20.70% of paediatric SARS-CoV-2 infections were hospitalised (67 studies), 7.19% required oxygen support (57 studies), 4.26% required intensive care (93 studies), and 2.92% required assisted ventilation (63 studies). The case fatality ratio (n = 119) was 0.87% (95% CI = 0.54-1.28), which included in-hospital and out-of-hospital deaths. Conclusions Our data showed that children were at risk for SARS-CoV-2 infections and severe outcomes in the pre-Omicron era. These findings underscore the need for effective vaccination strategies for the paediatric population to protect against the acute and long-term sequelae of COVID-19. Registration PROSPERO: CRD42022327680.
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Affiliation(s)
- Durga Kulkarni
- Centre for Global Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Nabihah Farhana Ismail
- Centre for Global Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Communicable Disease Control Unit, Public Health Department, Johor State, Malaysia
| | - Fuyu Zhu
- Schol of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Schol of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, China
| | | | | | | | | | - Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman
- Centre for Global Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh
| | | | - Harish Nair
- Centre for Global Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Schol of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, China
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Kubale J, Balmaseda A, Frutos AM, Sanchez N, Plazaola M, Ojeda S, Saborio S, Lopez R, Barilla C, Vasquez G, Moreira H, Gajewski A, Campredon L, Maier HE, Chowdhury M, Cerpas C, Harris E, Kuan G, Gordon A. Association of SARS-CoV-2 Seropositivity and Symptomatic Reinfection in Children in Nicaragua. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2218794. [PMID: 35759261 PMCID: PMC9237791 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.18794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on children remains unclear. Better understanding of the burden of COVID-19 among children and their risk of reinfection is crucial, as they will be among the last groups vaccinated. Objective To characterize the burden of COVID-19 and assess how risk of symptomatic reinfection may vary by age among children. Design, Setting, and Participants In this prospective, community-based pediatric cohort study conducted from March 1, 2020, to October 15, 2021, 1964 nonimmunocompromised children aged 0 to 14 years were enrolled by random selection from the Nicaraguan Pediatric Influenza Cohort, a community-based cohort in District 2 of Managua, Nicaragua. Additional newborn infants aged 4 weeks or younger were randomly selected and enrolled monthly via home visits. Exposures Prior COVID-19 infection as confirmed by positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (receptor binding domain and spike protein) or real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 infection at least 60 days before current COVID-19 infection. Main Outcomes and Measures Symptomatic COVID-19 cases confirmed by real-time RT-PCR and hospitalization within 28 days of symptom onset of a confirmed COVID-19 case. Results This cohort study assessed 1964 children (mean [SD] age, 6.9 [4.4] years; 985 [50.2%] male). Of 1824 children who were tested, 908 (49.8%; 95% CI, 47.5%-52.1%) were seropositive during the study. There were also 207 PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases, 12 (5.8%) of which were severe enough to require hospitalization. Incidence of COVID-19 was highest among children younger than 2 years (16.1 cases per 100 person-years; 95% CI, 12.5-20.5 cases per 100 person-years), which was approximately 3 times the incidence rate in any other child age group assessed. In addition, 41 symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 episodes (19.8%; 95% CI, 14.4%-25.2%) were reinfections. Conclusions and Relevance In this prospective, community-based pediatric cohort study, rates of symptomatic and severe COVID-19 were highest among the youngest participants, with rates stabilizing at approximately 5 years of age. In addition, symptomatic reinfections represented a large proportion of symptomatic COVID-19 cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Kubale
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
| | - Angel Balmaseda
- Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Aaron M. Frutos
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
| | - Nery Sanchez
- Sustainable Sciences Institute, Managua, Nicaragua
- Centro de Salud Sócrates Flores Vivas, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
| | | | - Sergio Ojeda
- Sustainable Sciences Institute, Managua, Nicaragua
- Centro de Salud Sócrates Flores Vivas, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Saira Saborio
- Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
- Sustainable Sciences Institute, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Roger Lopez
- Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
- Sustainable Sciences Institute, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Carlos Barilla
- Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Gerald Vasquez
- Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Hanny Moreira
- Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
| | | | - Lora Campredon
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
| | - Hannah E. Maier
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
| | - Mahboob Chowdhury
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
| | - Cristhiam Cerpas
- Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
- Sustainable Sciences Institute, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Eva Harris
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley
| | - Guillermina Kuan
- Sustainable Sciences Institute, Managua, Nicaragua
- Centro de Salud Sócrates Flores Vivas, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Aubree Gordon
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
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Kubale J, Balmaseda A, Frutos AM, Sanchez N, Plazaola M, Ojeda S, Saborio S, Lopez R, Barilla C, Vasquez G, Moreira H, Gajewski A, Campredon L, Maier H, Chowdhury M, Cerpas C, Harris E, Kuan G, Gordon A. Burden of SARS-CoV-2 and protection from symptomatic second infection in children. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2022:2022.01.03.22268684. [PMID: 35018380 PMCID: PMC8750653 DOI: 10.1101/2022.01.03.22268684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on children remains unclear. Better understanding of the burden of COVID-19 among children and their protection against re-infection is crucial as they will be among the last groups vaccinated. OBJECTIVE To characterize the burden of COVID-19 and assess how protection from symptomatic re-infection among children may vary by age. DESIGN A prospective, community-based pediatric cohort study conducted from March 1, 2020 through October 15, 2021. SETTING The Nicaraguan Pediatric Influenza Cohort is a community-based cohort in District 2 of Managua, Nicaragua. PARTICIPANTS A total of 1964 children aged 0-14 years participated in the cohort. Non-immunocompromised children were enrolled by random selection from a previous pediatric influenza cohort. Additional newborn infants aged ≤4 weeks were randomly selected and enrolled monthly, via home visits. EXPOSURES Prior COVID-19 infection as confirmed by positive anti SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (receptor binding domain [RBD] and spike protein) or real time RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 infection ≥60 days prior to current COVID-19. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Symptomatic COVID-19 cases confirmed by real time RT-PCR and hospitalization within 28 days of symptom onset of confirmed COVID-19 case. RESULTS Overall, 49.8% of children tested were seropositive over the course of the study. There were also 207 PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases, 12 (6.4%) of which were severe enough to require hospitalization. Incidence of COVID-19 was highest among children aged <2 years-16.1 per 100 person-years (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 12.5, 20.5)-approximately three times that of children in any other age group assessed. Additionally, 41 (19.8%) symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 episodes were re-infections, with younger children slightly more protected against symptomatic reinfection. Among children aged 6-59 months, protection was 61% (Rate Ratio [RR]:0.39, 95% CI:0.2,0.8), while protection among children aged 5-9 and 10-14 years was 64% (RR:0.36,0.2,0.7), and 49% (RR:0.51,0.3-0.9), respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this prospective community-based pediatric cohort rates of symptomatic and severe COVID-19 were highest among the youngest participants, with rates stabilizing around age 5. Reinfections represent a large proportion of PCR-positive cases, with children <10 years displaying greater protection from symptomatic reinfection. A vaccine for children <5 years is urgently needed. KEY POINTS Question: What is the burden of COVID-19 among young children and how does protection from re-infection vary with age?Findings: In this study of 1964 children aged 0-14 years children <5 years had the highest rates of symptomatic and severe COVID-19 while also displaying greater protection against re-infection compared to children ≥10 years.Meaning: Given their greater risk of infection and severe disease compared to older children, effective vaccines against COVID-19 are urgently needed for children under 5.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Kubale
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Angel Balmaseda
- Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Aaron M Frutos
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nery Sanchez
- Sustainable Sciences Institute, Managua, Nicaragua
- Centro de Salud Sócrates Flores Vivas, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
| | | | - Sergio Ojeda
- Sustainable Sciences Institute, Managua, Nicaragua
- Centro de Salud Sócrates Flores Vivas, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Saira Saborio
- Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
- Sustainable Sciences Institute, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Roger Lopez
- Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
- Sustainable Sciences Institute, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Carlos Barilla
- Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Gerald Vasquez
- Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Hanny Moreira
- Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
| | | | - Lora Campredon
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Hannah Maier
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mahboob Chowdhury
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Cristhiam Cerpas
- Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
- Sustainable Sciences Institute, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Eva Harris
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Guillermina Kuan
- Sustainable Sciences Institute, Managua, Nicaragua
- Centro de Salud Sócrates Flores Vivas, Ministry of Health, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Aubree Gordon
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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