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Abstract

Introduction

Socio-economic and ethnic background have been discussed as possible risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infections in children. Improved knowledge could lead to tailored prevention strategies and help improve infection control.

Aim

We aimed to identify risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infections in children in the first and second wave of the pandemic.

Methods

We performed an observational population-based cohort study in children (6 months–18 years) scheduled for legally required preventive examination and their parents in a metropolitan region in Germany. Primary endpoint was the SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion rate during the study period. Risk factors assessed included age, pre-existing medical conditions, socio-economic factors and ethnicity.

Results

We included 2,124 children and their parents. Seroconversion rates among children in all age groups increased 3–4-fold from June 2020 to February 2021. Only 24 of 58 (41%) seropositive children reported symptoms. In 51% of infected children, at least one parent was also SARS-CoV-2-positive. Low level of parental education (OR = 3.13; 95% CI: 0.72–13.69) non-significantly increased the risk of infection. Of the total cohort, 38.5% had a migration background, 9% of Turkish and 5% of Middle Eastern origin, and had the highest risk for SARS-CoV-2 infections (OR = 6.24; 95% CI: 1.38–28.12 and OR = 6.44 (95% CI: 1.14–36.45) after adjustment for other risk factors.

Conclusion

In the second half of 2020, seroprevalence for SARS-CoV-2 in children increased especially in families with lower-socioeconomic status. Culture-sensitive approaches are essential to limit transmission and could serve as a blueprint for vaccination strategies.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.37.2101028
2022-09-15
2024-12-22
/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.37.2101028
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Seroconversion rate and socio-economic and ethnic risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection in children in a population-based cohort, Germany, June 2020 to February 2021
<p class="citation"> <span>Citation style for this article:</span> <span class="meta-value authors"> <a href="/search?value1=Folke+Brinkmann&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Brinkmann Folke</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Hans+H+Diebner&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Diebner Hans H</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Chantal+Matenar&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Matenar Chantal</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Anne+Schlegtendal&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Schlegtendal Anne</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Lynn+Eitner&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Eitner Lynn</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Nina+Timmesfeld&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Timmesfeld Nina</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Christoph+Maier&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Maier Christoph</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Thomas+L%C3%BCcke&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Lücke Thomas</a></span>. Seroconversion rate and socio-economic and ethnic risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection in children in a population-based cohort, Germany, June 2020 to February 2021. <a href="/content/ecdc">Euro Surveill.</a> 2022;27(37):pii=2101028. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.37.2101028" title="doi link" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.37.2101028</a> <span class="ES_Article_citation"> <span class="generated">Received</span>: 22 Oct 2021;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span class="generated">Accepted</span>: 02 Jun 2022 </span> </p>
/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.37.2101028
/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.37.2101028
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