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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Point Prevalence Among Asymptomatic Hospitalized Children and

Ami B Patel1,2, Andrea Clifford1, Julie Creaden1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
|August 29, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Asymptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) carriage in children is low (1-2%) and does not pose a transmission risk to healthcare workers. This study found no secondary infections among staff exposed to these pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology
  • Healthcare Infection Control

Background:

  • Hospitalized children can carry SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatically.
  • Understanding transmission risk from these children to healthcare workers (HCWs) is crucial for patient and staff safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the prevalence of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carriage in hospitalized children.
  • To assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from these children to HCWs.

Main Methods:

  • A point prevalence survey was conducted.
  • Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was estimated in children without COVID-19 symptoms.
  • HCW exposure and secondary transmission were monitored.

Main Results:

  • An estimated 1-2% prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was found among hospitalized children without symptoms.
  • No instances of secondary transmission to HCWs were observed following exposure to these asymptomatic pediatric patients.

Conclusions:

  • Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carriage in hospitalized children is uncommon.
  • Current evidence suggests minimal risk of transmission to HCWs from asymptomatic pediatric carriers in a hospital setting.

Keywords:
COVID-19SARS-CoV-2asymptomaticchildrenhealthcare worker

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