What is the role of children in the dynamics of intradomiciliary transmission of SARS-CoV-2? This prospective multicenter study confirms that children are less likely to transmit SARS-CoV-2
Keywords: coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2; child; household; transmission
Results:
The study included 1040 COVID-19 patients. Almost half (47.2%) were asymptomatic, 10.8% had comorbidities, and 2.6% required hospitalization. No deaths were reported.
Viral transmission was common among household members (62.3%). More than 70% (756/1040) of pediatric cases were secondary to an adult, whereas 7.7% (80/1040) were index cases. The SAR was significantly lower in households with COVID-19 pediatric index cases during the school period relative to summer (p=0.02), and when compared to adults (p=0.006).
No individual or environmental risk factors associated with the SAR were identified.
Summary of the COPEDI-CAT project of Vall Hebron in simple language.
Description of the Study:
- Title: Household SARS-CoV-2 transmission and children: a network prospective study.
- Principal Investigators: Antoni Soriano Arandes, Anna Gatell Carbó, Pepe Serrano Marchuet, Xavier Bruna Pérez, Ramón Capdevila Bert, Pere Soler Palacín and et al.
- Centers of Implementation: Implemented from Hospital Universitari Vall Hebron and other centers.
- Study Population: Patients aged 0 to <18 years diagnosed with COVID-19 in Catalonia.
- Study Type: Prospective, observational, multicenter study.
- Design: Prospective, observational, multicenter study performed during summer and school periods (1 July to 31 October, 2020), in which epidemiological and clinical features, and viral transmission dynamics were analyzed in COVID-19 patients <16 years.
- Methods: A pediatric index case was established when a child was the first individual infected within a household. Secondary cases were defined when another household member tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 before the child. The secondary attack rate (SAR) was calculated, and logistic regression was used to assess associations between transmission risk factors and SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Objectives of the Study:
Principal Objectives:
(1) To determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the Covid-19 disease in the pediatric population infected by SARS-CoV-2 in Catalonia.
(2) To determine the territorial distribution of pediatric disease in Catalonia in order to identify the environmental and socioeconomic risk factors associated with it.
(3) To study the household contacts of the diagnosed pediatric patients to determine the dynamics of Covid-19 transmission in these age groups and determine the index case in each family nucleus.
More about this Study:
Background: The role of children in household transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains uncertain. Here, we describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of children with COVID-19 in Catalonia (Spain) and investigate the dynamics of household transmission.
