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COVID-19 Infection in Children and Infants: Current Status on Therapies and Vaccines

Giuseppina Malcangi1, Alessio Danilo Inchingolo1, Angelo Michele Inchingolo1

  • 1Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy.

Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 25, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Children exhibit milder COVID-19 symptoms due to four key mechanisms, but remain crucial for transmission. Vaccines are vital for this age group, though more safety data is needed for younger children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic initially appeared to spare children, with most cases presenting mild symptoms.
  • Understanding the epidemiological variations between pediatric and adult populations is critical for public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms conferring COVID-19 protection in infants and children.
  • To assess the impact of these mechanisms on the development of pediatric-targeted therapies and vaccines.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature review was conducted, encompassing in vitro studies, reviews, published guidelines, and clinical trials.
  • Descriptive synthesis was employed for clinical trial data relevant to the study's objectives.

Main Results:

  • Four distinct mechanisms were identified that may contribute to COVID-19 protection in infants.
  • Current therapeutic guidelines for pediatric COVID-19 are lacking due to insufficient data, with supportive care being the primary approach.
  • The World Health Organization has approved two vaccines for children aged 12 and above, with limited data on efficacy and safety for those under 12.

Conclusions:

  • COVID-19 presents with a milder clinical course in children and adolescents.
  • Children and adolescents can serve as vectors and reservoirs, playing a significant role in disease transmission.
  • Vaccination is paramount for pediatric populations, but further evidence is necessary to ensure safe and effective vaccination campaigns in younger age groups.

Keywords:
COVID-19PfizerSARS-CoV-1SARS-CoV-2antibodieschildrendentistrypregnancytherapyvaccines

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