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The Critical Need for Pooled Data on Coronavirus Disease 2019 in African Children: An AFREhealth Call for Action
Nadia A Sam-Agudu1,2,3, Helena Rabie4, Michel Tshiasuma Pipo5
1Pediatric and Adolescent HIV Unit and International Research Center of Excellence, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.
Insights
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection knowledge gaps persist in African children. Studies are underway to improve understanding of COVID-19 in this population, addressing comorbidities and coinfections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Global Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Significant knowledge gaps exist globally regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children and adolescents, particularly in African nations.
- Robust, age-disaggregated data is crucial for understanding the burden and clinical spectrum of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pediatric populations.
- High prevalence of comorbidities and coinfections like HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, sickle cell disease, and malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa necessitates research on their interaction with SARS-CoV-2.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address critical knowledge gaps in the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection among children and adolescents in Africa.
- To generate essential age-disaggregated data on COVID-19 disease burden and presentation in African children.
- To investigate the complex interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and prevalent pediatric comorbidities and coinfections in the African context.
Main Methods:
- Multi-regional studies conducted by the African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth) COVID-19 Research Collaboration on Children and Adolescents.
- Research spans Western, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa, encompassing diverse epidemiological settings.
- Data collection focuses on epidemiology, clinical characteristics, outcomes, comorbidities, and coinfections in pediatric populations.
Main Results:
- Ongoing studies are generating key evidence on COVID-19 in African children and adolescents.
- The research aims to provide a clearer picture of disease burden, manifestations, and risk factors.
- Findings will elucidate interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and common pediatric health issues in Africa.
Conclusions:
- The AFREhealth consortium's research is vital for informing clinical practice and public health policies related to COVID-19 in African children.
- Generated evidence will improve management of COVID-19 while considering co-existing major childhood diseases.
- This collaborative effort is expected to significantly enhance understanding and response to pediatric infectious diseases in Africa.
Abstract:
Globally, there are prevailing knowledge gaps in the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among children and adolescents; and these gaps are especially wide in African countries. The availability of robust age-disaggregated data is a critical first step in improving knowledge on disease burden and manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among children. Furthermore, it is essential to improve understanding of SARS-CoV-2 interactions with comorbidities and coinfections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis, malaria, sickle cell disease, and malnutrition, which are highly prevalent among children in sub-Saharan Africa. The African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth) COVID-19 Research Collaboration on Children and Adolescents is conducting studies across Western, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa to address existing knowledge gaps. This consortium is expected to generate key evidence to inform clinical practice and public health policy-making for COVID-19 while concurrently addressing other major diseases affecting children in African countries.
