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A population-based serological study of post-COVID syndrome prevalence and risk factors in children and adolescents

Author

Listed:
  • Roxane Dumont

    (Geneva University Hospitals)

  • Viviane Richard

    (Geneva University Hospitals)

  • Elsa Lorthe

    (Geneva University Hospitals)

  • Andrea Loizeau

    (Geneva University Hospitals)

  • Francesco Pennacchio

    (Geneva University Hospitals)

  • María-Eugenia Zaballa

    (Geneva University Hospitals)

  • Hélène Baysson

    (Geneva University Hospitals
    University of Geneva)

  • Mayssam Nehme

    (University of Geneva)

  • Anne Perrin

    (Geneva University Hospitals)

  • Arnaud G. L’Huillier

    (Geneva University Hospitals
    Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine)

  • Laurent Kaiser

    (Geneva University Hospitals
    Geneva University Hospitals
    University of Geneva)

  • Rémy P. Barbe

    (Geneva University Hospitals)

  • Klara M. Posfay-Barbe

    (Geneva University Hospitals
    Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine)

  • Silvia Stringhini

    (Geneva University Hospitals
    University of Geneva
    University Center for General Medicine and Public Health, University of Lausanne)

  • Idris Guessous

    (University of Geneva
    Geneva University Hospitals)

Abstract

Post-COVID syndrome remains poorly studied in children and adolescents. Here, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of pediatric post-COVID in a population-based sample, stratifying by serological status. Children from the SEROCoV-KIDS cohort study (State of Geneva, Switzerland), aged 6 months to 17 years, were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 N antibodies (December 2021-February 2022) and parents filled in a questionnaire on persistent symptoms in their children (lasting over 12 weeks) compatible with post-COVID. Of 1034 children tested, 570 (55.1%) were seropositive. The sex- and age-adjusted prevalence of persistent symptoms among seropositive children was 9.1% (95%CI: 6.7;11.8) and 5.0% (95%CI: 3.0;7.1) among seronegatives, with an adjusted prevalence difference (ΔaPrev) of 4.1% (95%CI: 1.1;7.3). Stratifying per age group, only adolescents displayed a substantial risk of having post-COVID symptoms (ΔaPrev = 8.3%, 95%CI: 3.5;13.5). Identified risk factors for post-COVID syndrome were older age, having a lower socioeconomic status and suffering from chronic health conditions, especially asthma. Our findings show that a significant proportion of seropositive children, particularly adolescents, experienced persistent COVID symptoms. While there is a need for further investigations, growing evidence of pediatric post-COVID urges early screening and primary care management.

Suggested Citation

  • Roxane Dumont & Viviane Richard & Elsa Lorthe & Andrea Loizeau & Francesco Pennacchio & María-Eugenia Zaballa & Hélène Baysson & Mayssam Nehme & Anne Perrin & Arnaud G. L’Huillier & Laurent Kaiser & R, 2022. "A population-based serological study of post-COVID syndrome prevalence and risk factors in children and adolescents," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-34616-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34616-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Elizabeth A. K. Jones & Amal K. Mitra & Azad R. Bhuiyan, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health in Adolescents: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-9, March.
    2. Hanna Renk & Alex Dulovic & Alina Seidel & Matthias Becker & Dorit Fabricius & Maria Zernickel & Daniel Junker & Rüdiger Groß & Janis Müller & Alexander Hilger & Sebastian F. N. Bode & Linus Fritsch &, 2022. "Robust and durable serological response following pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
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