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Dimopoulou D, Sotiri D, Kousi D, Loulou G, Raptaki K, Neofytou A, Dasoula F, Tampouratzi M, Koloi A, Eleftheriou E, Vergadi E, Papadimitriou E, Zorbadaki I, Mavridi A, Miliordos K, Steletou E, Strempela M, Fragkou PC, Spoulou V, Michos A, Gkentzi D, Papaevangelou V, Ladomenou F, Grivea I, Syrogiannopoulos G, Galanakis E, Zaoutis T, Tryfinopoulou K, Tsolia MN. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among children in Greece during Omicron variant period. Eur J Pediatr 2024; 183:2491-2499. [PMID: 38478132 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-024-05486-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The Omicron variant is associated with increased transmissibility, but evidence about the impact of Omicron in seropositivity of children is limited. This study aims to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in children during the different variants' subperiods. A prospective multicenter seroprevalence study was conducted in 7 University public hospitals in Greece from November 2021 to August 2022 (3 subperiods: November 2021-February 2022, March 2022-May 2022, June 2022-August 2022). Children from different age groups, admitted to the hospital or examined in outpatient clinics for reasons other than COVID-19 were enrolled. Neutralizing antibodies (Nabs), anti-Spike (anti-S) and anti-nucleocapsid (anti-N) SARS-CoV-2 IgG in serum were evaluated. A total of 2127 children (males:57,2%; median age:4,8years) were enrolled. Anti-N IgG seropositivity increased from 17,8% in the first sub-period to 40,7% in the second sub-period and then decreased in the third sub-period (36,7%). Anti-S IgG seropositivity appeared to have an increasing trend over the study period, starting from 34,8% and reaching 80,7%. Children aged 1-4 years old have significantly higher anti-N IgG titers compared to children aged 0-1 years old (p < 0,001). Infants have significantly lower anti-S IgG titers compared to all other age groups (p < 0,001). Immunocompromised children and infants have the lowest seropositivity for NAbs.Conclusions During the Omicron period, seropositivity significantly increased, as a result of higher transmissibility. Neonates and infants have lower antibody titers compared to other age groups, while young children aged 1-4 years old present higher antibody titers, suggesting that this age group may mount a higher antibody response. Continuous surveillance seroprevalence studies are needed in children, in order to identify the true extent of SARS-CoV-2 and guide the planning of adequate public health measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Dimopoulou
- Second Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'P. and A. Kyriakou' Children's Hospital, Thivon and Leivadias, Athens, 30601, Greece
| | - Despoina Sotiri
- Central Public Health Laboratory, Hellenic Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitra Kousi
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (CLEO), Athens, 15451, Greece
| | - Garyfallia Loulou
- Central Public Health Laboratory, Hellenic Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Raptaki
- Central Public Health Laboratory, Hellenic Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Ariadni Neofytou
- Second Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'P. and A. Kyriakou' Children's Hospital, Thivon and Leivadias, Athens, 30601, Greece
| | - Foteini Dasoula
- Second Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'P. and A. Kyriakou' Children's Hospital, Thivon and Leivadias, Athens, 30601, Greece
| | - Maria Tampouratzi
- Second Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'P. and A. Kyriakou' Children's Hospital, Thivon and Leivadias, Athens, 30601, Greece
| | - Athina Koloi
- Second Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'P. and A. Kyriakou' Children's Hospital, Thivon and Leivadias, Athens, 30601, Greece
| | - Eirini Eleftheriou
- Second Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'P. and A. Kyriakou' Children's Hospital, Thivon and Leivadias, Athens, 30601, Greece
| | - Eleni Vergadi
- School of Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, University General Hospital of Heraklion, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Eleni Papadimitriou
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, University General Hospital of Larissa, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Irini Zorbadaki
- Department of Pediatrics, Venizeleion General Hospital, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Artemis Mavridi
- Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Third Department of Paediatrics, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Evangelia Steletou
- Medical School, Department of Paediatrics, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Maria Strempela
- First Department of Paediatrics, Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Paraskevi C Fragkou
- First Department of Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Services, Evangelismos Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vassiliki Spoulou
- First Department of Paediatrics, Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Michos
- First Department of Paediatrics, Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Despoina Gkentzi
- Medical School, Department of Paediatrics, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Vassiliki Papaevangelou
- Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Third Department of Paediatrics, Athens, Greece
| | - Fani Ladomenou
- Department of Pediatrics, Venizeleion General Hospital, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ioanna Grivea
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, University General Hospital of Larissa, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - George Syrogiannopoulos
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, University General Hospital of Larissa, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Galanakis
- School of Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, University General Hospital of Heraklion, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Theoklis Zaoutis
- Second Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'P. and A. Kyriakou' Children's Hospital, Thivon and Leivadias, Athens, 30601, Greece
| | - Kyriaki Tryfinopoulou
- Central Public Health Laboratory, Hellenic Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria N Tsolia
- Second Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'P. and A. Kyriakou' Children's Hospital, Thivon and Leivadias, Athens, 30601, Greece.
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Miliordos K, Giannouchos T, Steletou E, Sanidas G, Karkania A, Vervenioti A, Dimitriou G, Gkentzi D. Parental attitudes towards vaccination against COVID-19 of children 5-11 years old in Greece. J Eval Clin Pract 2022; 28:943-947. [PMID: 35599609 PMCID: PMC9347632 DOI: 10.1111/jep.13701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Vaccinating children against COVID-19 is critical to contain the ongoing pandemic. AIMS/OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to assess parents' and caregivers' intention to vaccinate their 5-11 years old children against COVID-19 and to estimate the association between vaccination intention and sociodemographic, clinical and contextual factors. METHOD We conducted a questionnaire-based survey on a convenience sample of parents in Patras, Western Greece. RESULTS Out of 366 study participants, around 48% reported their intention to vaccinate their child. The main factors associated with positive attitudes were paediatrician recommendation, parental vaccination, and reliance on the healthcare providers for decision making. Of note, 80% of the 190 parents who did not intend to vaccinate their children would vaccinate them if the paediatrician recommended it. CONCLUSION Interventions to further train healthcare professionals to establish rapport with parents, and to provide adequate information about vaccinations are crucial to address concerns related to COVID-19 vaccine benefits for children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Theodoros Giannouchos
- Department of Health Services Policy & Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Evangelia Steletou
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
| | - Georgios Sanidas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
| | - Aglaia Karkania
- Department of Pediatrics, Karamandaneio Children Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Aggeliki Vervenioti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
| | - Gabriel Dimitriou
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
| | - Despoina Gkentzi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
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Abstract
PURPOSE Congenital primary hypothyroidism (CH) is a state of inadequate thyroid hormone production detected at birth, caused either by absent, underdeveloped or ectopic thyroid gland (dysgenesis), or by defected thyroid hormone biosynthesis (dyshormonogenesis). A genetic component has been identified in many cases of CH. This review summarizes the clinical and biochemical features of the genetic causes of primary CH. METHODS A literature review was conducted of gene defects causing congenital hypothyroidism. RESULTS Mutations in five genes have predominantly been implicated in thyroid dysgenesis (TSHR, FOXE1, NKX2-1, PAX8, and NKX2-5), the primary cause of CH (85%), and mutations in seven genes in thyroid dyshormonogenesis (SLC5A5, TPO, DUOX2, DUOXA2, SLC6A4, Tg, and DEHAL1). These genes encode for proteins that regulate genes expressed during the differentiation of the thyroid, such as TPO and Tg genes, or genes that regulate iodide organification, thyroglobulin synthesis, iodide transport, and iodotyrosine deiodination. Besides thyroid dysgenesis and dyshormonogenesis, additional causes of congenital hypothyroidism, such as iodothyronine transporter defects and resistance to thyroid hormones, have also been associated with genetic mutations. CONCLUSION The identification of the underlying genetic defects of CH is important for genetic counseling of families with an affected member, for identifying additional clinical characteristics or the risk for thyroid neoplasia and for diagnostic and management purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Kostopoulou
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Paediatrics|, University of Patras School of Medicine, Patras, Greece.
| | - Konstantinos Miliordos
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Paediatrics|, University of Patras School of Medicine, Patras, Greece
| | - Bessie Spiliotis
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Paediatrics|, University of Patras School of Medicine, Patras, Greece
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