tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
- Folke Brinkmann[SUP]1[/SUP] , Hans H Diebner[SUP]2[/SUP] , Chantal Matenar[SUP]1[/SUP] , Anne Schlegtendal[SUP]1[/SUP] , Lynn Eitner[SUP]1[/SUP] , Nina Timmesfeld[SUP]2[/SUP] , Christoph Maier[SUP]1[/SUP] , Thomas Lücke[SUP]1[/SUP]
Socio-economic and ethnic background have been discussed as possible risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infections in children. Improved knowledge could lead to tailored prevention strategies and help improve infection control.
Aim
We aimed to identify risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infections in children in the first and second wave of the pandemic.
Methods
We performed an observational population-based cohort study in children (6 months–18 years) scheduled for legally required preventive examination and their parents in a metropolitan region in Germany. Primary endpoint was the SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion rate during the study period. Risk factors assessed included age, pre-existing medical conditions, socio-economic factors and ethnicity.
Results
We included 2,124 children and their parents. Seroconversion rates among children in all age groups increased 3–4-fold from June 2020 to February 2021. Only 24 of 58 (41%) seropositive children reported symptoms. In 51% of infected children, at least one parent was also SARS-CoV-2-positive. Low level of parental education (OR = 3.13; 95% CI: 0.72–13.69) non-significantly increased the risk of infection. Of the total cohort, 38.5% had a migration background, 9% of Turkish and 5% of Middle Eastern origin, and had the highest risk for SARS-CoV-2 infections (OR = 6.24; 95% CI: 1.38–28.12 and OR = 6.44 (95% CI: 1.14–36.45) after adjustment for other risk factors.
ConclusionIn the second half of 2020, seroprevalence for SARS-CoV-2 in children increased especially in families with lower-socioeconomic status. Culture-sensitive approaches are essential to limit transmission and could serve as a blueprint for vaccination strategies.
https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.37.2101028#html_fulltext