Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 1, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses
03:53

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses

Published on: November 10, 2023

1.5K

Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in family clusters: a systematic review

Wen-Liang Song1, Ning Zou1, Wen-He Guan1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36, SanHao Street, Shenyang, 110004, China.

World Journal of Pediatrics : WJP
|June 25, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Children infected with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) often had milder symptoms and higher rates of asymptomatic infection than adults. Adults were typically the first to spread the virus within family clusters during the early epidemic.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Virology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • The global spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, has highlighted family clusters.
  • Early reports indicated distinct patterns in pediatric COVID-19 cases within families.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in pediatric family clusters.
  • To compare COVID-19 presentation in children versus adults within family settings.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review of English and Chinese databases (PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, CQVIP, Wanfangdata).
  • Inclusion of studies detailing COVID-19 family clusters involving children.

Main Results:

  • Eighteen studies identified 34 children and 98 adults across 28 families.
  • Children exhibited a higher proportion of asymptomatic infections (32.4% vs. 13.3%) and a longer incubation period (10 days vs. 7 days).
  • Significant differences observed in lymphopenia, C-reactive protein levels, and chest CT findings between pediatric and adult patients.

Conclusions:

  • SARS-CoV-2 can cause milder disease in children compared to adults.
  • Adults were the primary source of COVID-19 transmission within families during the early epidemic.
  • Asymptomatic individuals are capable of transmitting the virus.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenCoronavirus disease 2019Family clustersSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

More Related Videos

Quantification and Whole Genome Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Wastewater and Air Samples09:26

Quantification and Whole Genome Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Wastewater and Air Samples

Published on: June 30, 2023

1.3K
A High-Throughput Multiplexed Screening for Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Diseases, and COVID-1906:46

A High-Throughput Multiplexed Screening for Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Diseases, and COVID-19

Published on: July 5, 2022

3.0K

Related Concept Videos

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs01:05

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs

A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...
17.1K
Bias in Epidemiological Studies01:29

Bias in Epidemiological Studies

Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:  
878
Factors Affecting Illness01:18

Factors Affecting Illness

When a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social development or spiritual functioning is compromised, this deviation from a healthy normal state is called illness. Illness creates stress that in turn harms individuals. Irritation, anger, denial, hopelessness, and fear are behavioral and emotional changes an individual experiences in the phases of illness. A variety of factors influence a person's health and well-being.
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness,...
4.7K
Principles of Disease Surveillance01:26

Principles of Disease Surveillance

Disease surveillance is the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data essential to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice. This process integrates data dissemination to entities responsible for preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. Surveillance systems provide crucial information for action, helping public health authorities make informed decisions to manage and prevent outbreaks, ensure public safety, optimize...
282
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
13.0K
Steps in Outbreak Investigation01:18

Steps in Outbreak Investigation

In the ever-evolving field of public health, statistical analysis serves as a cornerstone for understanding and managing disease outbreaks. By leveraging various statistical tools, health professionals can predict potential outbreaks, analyze ongoing situations, and devise effective responses to mitigate impact. For that to happen, there are a few possible stages of the analysis:
271