COVID test-to-return may help shorten time away from school
In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, a test-to-return approach for students in isolation is explored for its utility in sorting out students who can safely return to school without jeopardizing others, from those with a high viral load. // 17.2.2022
SARS-CoV-2 transmission in transmission pairs of school-aged children during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands
Researchers evaluated whether SARS-CoV-2 transmission among school-aged children in the Netherlands follows a bipartite school and household network. // 15.2.2022
As an aftermath of the extended lockdowns and social distancing restrictions, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted the quality of life of children and adolescents worldwide, not only physically due to the infection, but also mentally. A high level of anxiety and depression has been reported among pediatric patients and adolescents, many of whom were deprived of social interaction with peers during the pandemic. // 8.2.2022
Comparison of school protocols under the high incidence conditions due to the Omicron variant
The current study discusses the proactive vs. reactive school protocols relative to the peak demands for resources, break in infection, and the number of days of school lost. // 8.2.2022
Exploring the high incidence of croup in children during the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron wave
In a new study, researchers observed that the incidence of pediatric croup was higher during the latest surge of COVID-19 infections driven by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.// 8.2.2022
Study explores SARS-CoV-2 manifestations and related hospitalizations in infants
A new study examined the clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infections, disease severity, and related hospitalization in infants in Canada. // 8.2.2022
Assessing the association of COVID-19 and Immunoglobulin A vasculitis in children
In a recent study posted to the Research Square* preprint server, researchers conducted a systematic review to investigate any association between immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children. // 8.2.2022
Investigating the immunology of COVID-19 infected children
Researchers published a new study that focused on the key principles of developmental immunology associated with immunobiology and the clinical impacts of COVID-19 infections in children and adults. // 7.2.2022
Convulsions in children with COVID‐19 during the Omicron wave
Aim Most children with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but data on the Omicron variant are rare. This paper describes unexpected cases with convulsions during 1 week in January 2022. Methods Four chi...
Innate and adaptive immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in convalescent children and adults
In a new study, researchers explored the systemic immune responses during the acute and convalescent phases of SARS-CoV-2 in children and adults with the same disease severity. // 3.2.2022
Acute upper airway disease in children with the omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of SARS-CoV-2: a report from the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C)
Background: Reports of SARS-CoV-2 causing laryngotracheobronchitis (commonly known as croup) have been limited to small case series. Early reports suggest the Omicron (B.1.1.529) strain of SARS-CoV-2 (the dominant circulating US strain since the week of 12/25/2021) replicates more efficiently in the conducting airways. This may increase the risk of a croup phenotype in children as they have smaller airway calibers. Methods: Description of the incidence, change over time, and characteristics of children with SARS-CoV-2 and upper airway infection (UAI) diagnoses within the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) before and during the rise of the Omicron variant. We compare the demographics, comorbidities, and clinical outcomes of hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 positive children with and without UAI. Results: SARS-CoV-2 positive UAI cases increased to the highest number per month (N = 170) in December 2021 as the Omicron variant became dominant. Of 15,806 hospitalized children with SARS-CoV-2, 1.5% (234/15,806) had an UAI diagnosis. Those with UAI were more likely to be male, younger, white, have asthma and develop severe disease as compared to those without UAI. Conclusions: Pediatric acute UAI cases have increased during the Omicron variant surge with many developing severe disease. Improved understanding of this emerging clinical phenotype could aid in therapeutic decision-making and healthcare resource planning. ### Competing Interest Statement The N3C was funded by NCATS grant number U24 TR002306 and other support as documented at https://covid.cd2h.org/acknowledgements. This analysis was supported by NICHD grant number R01HD105939-01S1. ### Funding Statement This analysis was supported by NICHD grant number R01HD105939-01S1 ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: The N3C Data Enclave is approved under the authority of the National Institutes of Health Institutional Review Board (IRB). Each N3C site maintains an IRB approved data transfer agreement. The analyses in this article were approved by the following IRBs (from the institution for each study investigator with data access): Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board of the University of Colorado. The Office of Research Compliance, Division of Human Subject Protections of Stony Brook University. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable. // 30.1.2022
Children and adolescents respond as well or better than adults to mRNA-1273 COVID vaccination
A recent study assesses the neutralization efficacy of the mRNA-1273 vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in children, adolescents, and adults. // 30.1.2022
COVID Vax in Parents Provides Strong Protection for Children
Unvaccinated children were better protected when both parents were vaccinated, but even just one immunized parent helped, data from Israel show. // 28.1.2022
Understanding immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infections in children
A study published in the journal Immunity analyzed the varied manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in children. // 25.1.2022
COVID virus linked with headaches, altered mental status in hospitalized kids
Of hospitalized children who tested or were presumed positive for SARS-CoV-2, 44 percent developed neurological symptoms, and these kids were more likely to require intensive care than their peers who didn't experience such symptoms, according to a new study. // 21.1.2022
Is COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in children associated with subsequent multisystemic hyper-inflammatory syndrome?
Researchers assessed the possibility of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines causing multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children aged 12 to 17 years in France. // 20.1.2022
The rate of occurrence of MIS-C post-SARS-CoV-2 infection is 100 times higher than post-COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.
”about 60% of admissions statewide were indicated with the reason “for COVID-19”; this has not changed since the Omicron-associated increase in cases and hospitalization began. This is consistent with adult trends, and those recorded months earlier.”
Declining effectiveness of the BNT162b2 vaccine in adolescents infected with COVID-19
Researchers have conducted a retrospective matched case-control study to determine the protection period conferred by the BNT162b2 vaccine on adolescents aged 12 to 16. // 10.1.2022
Rapid antigen tests exhibit high accuracy for COVID-19 screening in children
In a new study, researchers evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) of the Abbott BinaxNOW rapid antigen test against the RT-PCR test in pediatric participants below 18 years in the US with high COVID-19 testing from May 7, 2021, to December 6, 2021. // 10.1.2022
Parents: if your child develops croup, it may be Covid
The omicron Covid variant appears to be leading to croup in young children under the age of 5. Doctors share what to know about kids, omicron and croup. // 7.1.2022
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Effectiveness of BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) mRNA Vaccination Against Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Among Persons Aged 12–18 Years — United States, July–December 2021
This report describes how effective Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination was against multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). // 7.1.2022
