Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science (대한임상검사과학회지)

Korean Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (대한임상검사과학회)
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SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Seroprevalence in Children from the Amritsar District of Punjab

  • Kaur, Amandeep (The Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, Government Medical College) ;
  • Singh, Narinder (Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College) ;
  • Singh, Kanwardeep (Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College) ;
  • Sidhu, Shailpreet Kaur (Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College) ;
  • Kaur, Harleen (The Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, Government Medical College) ;
  • Jain, Poonam (The Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, Government Medical College) ;
  • Kaur, Manmeet (Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College) ;
  • Jairath, Mohan (The Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, Government Medical College)
  • Received : 2022.05.16
  • Accepted : 2022.07.24
  • Published : 2022.09.30
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Abstract

The majority of the children experience milder coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms. Children represent a significant source of community transmission. Children under 18 years of age account for an estimated 4.8% of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections globally. However, no conclusive statements pertaining to the multi-fold aspects of the virus in children could be drawn due to the lower prevalence of pediatric cases. The present study was conducted to identify the indirect impact of SARS-CoV-2 infections on developing herd immunity among children in the age group 3 to 18 years by investigating their antibody levels. In the study, 240 children aged 3~18 years were recruited by the Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College and Hospital, Amritsar, India, and quantification of the antibodies was performed at the Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL), Government Medical College (GMC), Amritsar, India. Out of the 240 serum samples, 197 (82.08%) showed seropositivity, while 43 (17.92%) were seronegative. When stratified, it was observed that in the age group 3~6 years, 22.33% of children were found to have anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies while in the age groups 7~10 years, 11~14 years, and 15~18 years, respectively, 37.06%, 30.46%, and 10.15% were seropositive. Although there was seroconversion among children which was useful for predicting the next wave, no differences in seropositivity were observed between adults and children.

Keywords

References

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