Immunocompromised children and young people are at no increased risk of severe COVID-19
Immunocompromised children and young people are at no increased risk of severe COVID-19
Objectives: We aimed to prospectively describe the incidence and clinical spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection in immunocompromised paediatric patients in the UK. Methods: From March 2020 to 2021 weekly questionnaires were sent to immunocompromised paediatric patients or their parents. Information, including symptom presentation and SARS-CoV-2 PCR test results, was collected from 1527 participants from 46 hospitals. Cross-sectional serology was investigated in February and March 2021. Results: Until the end of September 2020, no cases were reported. From September 28th 2020 to March 2021 a total of 38 PCR-detected SARS-CoV-2 infections were reported. Of these, four children were admitted to hospital but none had acute severe COVID-19. Increasing age in association with immunodeficiency increased reporting of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Worsening of fever, cough, and sore throat were associated with participants reporting SARS-CoV-2 infection. Serology data included 452 unvaccinated participants. In those reporting prior positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR, there were detectable antibodies in 9 of 18 (50%). In those with no prior report of infection, antibodies were detected in 32 of 434 (7•4%). Conclusions: This study shows SARS-CoV-2 infections have occurred in immunocompromised children and young people with no increased risk of severe disease. No children died.
COVID-19, Children, Immunocompromised, SARS-CoV-2
31-39
Chappell, H.
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Patel, R.
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Driessens, C.
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Tarr, A.W.
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Irving, W.l.
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Tighe, P.J.
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Jackson, H.J.
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Harvey-cowlishaw, T.
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Mills, L.
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Shaunak, M.
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Gbesemete, D.
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Leahy, A.
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Lucas, J.S.
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Faust, S.N.
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De Graaf, H.
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5 January 2022
Chappell, H.
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Patel, R.
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Driessens, C.
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Tarr, A.W.
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Irving, W.l.
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Tighe, P.J.
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Jackson, H.J.
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Harvey-cowlishaw, T.
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Mills, L.
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Shaunak, M.
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Gbesemete, D.
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Leahy, A.
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Lucas, J.S.
5cb3546c-87b2-4e59-af48-402076e25313
Faust, S.N.
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De Graaf, H.
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Chappell, H., Patel, R., Driessens, C., Tarr, A.W., Irving, W.l., Tighe, P.J., Jackson, H.J., Harvey-cowlishaw, T., Mills, L., Shaunak, M., Gbesemete, D., Leahy, A., Lucas, J.S., Faust, S.N. and De Graaf, H.
(2022)
Immunocompromised children and young people are at no increased risk of severe COVID-19.
Journal of Infection, 84 (1), .
(doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2021.11.005).
Abstract
Objectives: We aimed to prospectively describe the incidence and clinical spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection in immunocompromised paediatric patients in the UK. Methods: From March 2020 to 2021 weekly questionnaires were sent to immunocompromised paediatric patients or their parents. Information, including symptom presentation and SARS-CoV-2 PCR test results, was collected from 1527 participants from 46 hospitals. Cross-sectional serology was investigated in February and March 2021. Results: Until the end of September 2020, no cases were reported. From September 28th 2020 to March 2021 a total of 38 PCR-detected SARS-CoV-2 infections were reported. Of these, four children were admitted to hospital but none had acute severe COVID-19. Increasing age in association with immunodeficiency increased reporting of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Worsening of fever, cough, and sore throat were associated with participants reporting SARS-CoV-2 infection. Serology data included 452 unvaccinated participants. In those reporting prior positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR, there were detectable antibodies in 9 of 18 (50%). In those with no prior report of infection, antibodies were detected in 32 of 434 (7•4%). Conclusions: This study shows SARS-CoV-2 infections have occurred in immunocompromised children and young people with no increased risk of severe disease. No children died.
Text
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 9 November 2021
e-pub ahead of print date: 14 November 2021
Published date: 5 January 2022
Additional Information:
Funding
A grant from the British Paediatric Allergy, Immunity and Infection Group and the NIHR Senior Investigator award to Saul Faust supported participant recruitment and database management. Southampton Rheumatology Trust provided a grant to fund the cross sectional serology.
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge all the children, young people, and parents participating in this study. This study was badged as a UK NIHR Urgent Public Health Study and we would also like to thank the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) and all associated NIHR Local CRNs and site staff who supported recruitment.
Keywords:
COVID-19, Children, Immunocompromised, SARS-CoV-2
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 454523
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/454523
ISSN: 0163-4453
PURE UUID: 21564dd2-37fe-420e-b5f0-f86663bce563
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Date deposited: 15 Feb 2022 17:36
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 03:33
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Contributors
Author:
H. Chappell
Author:
R. Patel
Author:
C. Driessens
Author:
A.W. Tarr
Author:
W.l. Irving
Author:
P.J. Tighe
Author:
H.J. Jackson
Author:
T. Harvey-cowlishaw
Author:
L. Mills
Author:
M. Shaunak
Author:
D. Gbesemete
Author:
A. Leahy
Author:
H. De Graaf
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