Investigating SARS-CoV-2 infection and the health and psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Canadian CHILD Cohort: study methodology and cohort profile

Abstract

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic is affecting all Canadian families, with some impacted differently than others. Our study aims to: 1) determine the prevalence and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection among Canadian families, 2) identify predictors of infection susceptibility and severity of SARS-CoV-2 and 3) identify health and psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThis study builds upon the CHILD Cohort Study, an ongoing multi-ethnic general population prospective cohort consisting of 3454 Canadian families with children born in Vancouver, Edmonton, Manitoba, and Toronto between 2009-12. During the pandemic, 1462 CHILD households (5378 individuals) consented to participate in the CHILD COVID-19 Add-On Study involving: (1) brief biweekly surveys about COVID-19 symptoms and testing; (2) quarterly questionnaires assessing COVID-19 exposure, testing and vaccination status, physical and mental health, and pandemic-driven life changes; (3) in-home biological sampling kits to collect blood and stool. Mean ages were 9 years (range 0-17) for children and 43 years (range 18-85) for adults. Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection will be estimated from survey data and confirmed through serology testing. We will combine these new data with a wealth of pre-pandemic CHILD data and use multivariate modelling and machine learning methods to identify risk and resilience factors for susceptibility and severity to the direct and indirect effects of the pandemic.InterpretationOur short-term findings will inform key stakeholders and knowledge users to shape current and future pandemic responses. Additionally, this study provides a unique resource to study the long-term impacts of the pandemic as the CHILD Cohort Study continues.

Predictors of SARS-CoV-2 anti-Spike IgG antibody levels following two COVID-19 vaccine doses among children and adults in the Canadian CHILD Cohort

“…We conducted a SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid seroprevalence study using dried blood spots collected in two phases (Phase A: March 2021-September 2021; Phase B: October 2021-January 2022) among participants from the CHILD COVID-19 Add-on Study, embedded within the Canadian CHILD Cohort Study. Eligibility, consent, recruitment, and detailed methodology are as described elsewhere 8 . Notably, Phase B collection started one month before the approval of vaccines for children aged 5-11 years in Canada.…”