The role of children in transmission of SARS-CoV-2: A rapid review

Abstract

The role of children in transmission of SARS-CoV-2: A rapid review Background Understanding the role of children in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is urgently required given its policy implications in relation to the reopening of schools and intergenerational contacts. MethodsWe conducted a rapid review of studies that investigated the role of children in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. We synthesized evidence for four categories: 1) studies reporting documented cases of SARS-CoV-2 transmission by infected children; 2) studies presenting indirect evidence on the potential of SARS-CoV-2 transmission by (both symptomatic and asymptomatic) children; 3) studies reporting cluster outbreaks of COVID-19 in schools; 4) studies estimating the proportions of children infected by SARS-CoV-2, and reported results narratively.Results A total of 16 unique studies were included for narrative synthesis. There is limited evidence detailing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from infected children. We found two studies that reported a 3-month-old whose parents developed symptomatic COVID-19 seven days after caring for the infant and two children who may have contracted COVID-19 from the initial cases at a school in New South Wales. In addition, we identified six studies presenting indirect evidence on the potential for SARS-CoV-2 transmission by children, three of which found prolonged virus shedding in stools. There is little data on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in schools. We identified only two studies reporting outbreaks of COVID-19 in school settings and one case report of a child attending classes but not infecting any other pupils or staff. Lastly, we identified six studies estimating the proportion of children infected; data from population-based studies in Iceland, Italy, South Korea, Netherlands, California and a hospital-based study in the UK suggest children may be less likely to be infected. Conclusions:Preliminary results from population-based and school-based studies suggest that children may be less frequently infected or infect others, however current evidence is limited. Prolonged faecal shedding observed in studies highlights the potentially increased risk of faeco-oral transmission in children. Further seroprevalence studies (powered adequately for the paediatric population) are urgently required to establish whether children are in fact less likely to be infected compared to adults.

Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Children and Adolescents Compared With Adults

“…A number of authors have concluded that children and adolescents may be less susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, 2,14 although there are multiple sources of bias in each study type, which can complicate straightforward analysis. In contact-tracing studies, testing of only symptomatic contacts will introduce significant bias, as will seroprevalence studies drawn from clinical contact studies (eg, primary care) or residual laboratory sera.…”

Potential sources, modes of transmission and effectiveness of prevention measures against SARS-CoV-2

“…Importantly, a systematic meta-analysis of different cohort studies observed that asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 seems to correlate with young age and social activity [76,77]. In particular, future studies aiming to understand the contribution of young aged patients such as children to asymptomatic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 should be prioritised [78]. In summary, the prevalence of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and duration of pre-symptomatic infection are not well understood, as asymptomatic individuals are not routinely tested.…”

Influenza in the COVID-19 Era

“…8 In contrast, the disease trajectory of COVID-19 in children is typically mild, and children may be less likely to be infected or infect others. 9 Therefore, while surveillance for pediatric spread of COVID-19 remains important to guide plans for school and daycare reopening, the health effects of COVID-19 in children is expected to be much lower than in older individuals.…”