Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Antibody Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in a Large Cohort of US Children.
Publication/Presentation Date
1-1-2025
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Household transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may play a key role in times of increased infection, particularly among children. We aimed to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and identify risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity in children.
METHODS: Unvaccinated children aged 18 months to 11 years between August 2022 and June 2023 underwent oral fluid testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Caregivers completed electronic surveys at 4 major healthcare practices in Northern and Central New Jersey. Information was collected on demographics, household size, vaccination status, and prior SARS-CoV-2-related illness. Multivariable logistic regression determined individual and household-level factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity.
RESULTS: A total of 870 children provided tests and corresponding surveys. Children were predominantly Hispanic (37%) or non-Hispanic Black (30%), and on average 5.7 years old. Overall SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity was 68%. Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 positivity include Hispanic or non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity (adjusted odds ratios [aOR], 2.29 and 1.95 vs. White race/ethnicity;
CONCLUSIONS: There is high burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection among children over time. Adult vaccination appears to be a protective factor in helping to mitigate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection among children. Increased vaccination of adults in the community can help inform COVID-19 prevention strategies for minors in the household.
Volume
12
Issue
1
First Page
680
Last Page
680
ISSN
2328-8957
Published In/Presented At
Katic, B. J., Katragkou, A., Alvitres, J. L., Gurumurthy, M., Li, C., Schwab, J. V., Hasan, U. N., Gaur, S., Weller, A. S., Kennedy, M. C., DiPentima, C., Rohan, C., Richlin, B., Chu, D., Otero, I., Patel, A., Thomas, P., & Friedman, S. M. (2025). Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Antibody Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in a Large Cohort of US Children. Open forum infectious diseases, 12(1), ofae680. https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofae680
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
39802208
Department(s)
Fellows and Residents
Document Type
Article
