Author:
Engels Geraldine,Oechsle Anna-Lisa,Schlegtendal Anne,Maier Christoph,Holzwarth Sarah,Streng Andrea,Lange Berit,Karch Andre,Petersmann Astrid,Streeck Hendrik,Blaschke-Steinbrecher Sabine,Härtel Christoph,Schroten Horst,von Kries Rüdiger,Berner Reinhard,Liese Johannes,Brinkmann Folke,Toepfner Nicole,Forster Johannes,Kurzai Oliver,Pietsch Franziska,Hick Elena,Hecker Katharina,Lücke Thomas,Hoffmann Anna,Schwarzbach Michaela,Höppner Jakob,Drinka Denisa,Armann Jakob,Blankenburg Judith,Falke Uta,Schneider Josephine,Jäger Veronika,Rücker Viktoria,Harries Manuela,Hassenstein Max,Dreier Maren,von Holt Isabell,Budde Axel,Kurosinski Marc-André,Bartz Antonia,Brandhorst Gunnar,Brinkmann Melanie,Budde Kathrin,Deckena Marek,Fenzlaff Marc,Hovardovska Olga,Kehl Katja,Kohls Mirjam,Krüger Stefan,Meyer-Schlinkmann Kristin,Ottensmeyer Patrick,Reese Jens-Peter,Rosenkranz Daniel,Rübsamen Nicole,Schattschneider Mario,Schäfer Christin,Schlinkert Simon,Schulze-Wundling Kai,Störk Stefan,Tiemann Carsten,Völzke Henry,Winter Theresa,Heuschmann Peter,Nauck Matthias,
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
The study evaluates the effects on sero-immunity, health status and quality of life of children and adolescents after the upsurge of the Omicron variant in Germany.
Methods
This multicenter cross-sectional study (IMMUNEBRIDGE Kids) was conducted within the German Network University Medicine (NUM) from July to October 2022. SARS-CoV-2- antibodies were measured and data on SARS-CoV-2 infections, vaccinations, health and socioeconomic factors as well as caregiver-reported evaluation on their children’s health and psychological status were assessed.
Results
497 children aged 2–17 years were included. Three groups were analyzed: 183 pre-schoolchildren aged 2–4 years, 176 schoolchildren aged 5–11 years and 138 adolescents aged 12–18 years. Positive antibodies against the S- or N-antigen of SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 86.5% of all participants (70.0% [128/183] of pre-schoolchildren, 94.3% of schoolchildren [166/176] and 98.6% of adolescents [136/138]). Among all children, 40.4% (201/497) were vaccinated against COVID-19 (pre-schoolchildren 4.4% [8/183], schoolchildren 44.3% [78/176] and adolescents 83.3% [115/138]). SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was lowest in pre-school. Health status and quality of life reported by the parents were very positive at the time of the survey (Summer 2022).
Conclusion
Age-related differences on SARS-CoV-2 sero-immunity could mainly be explained by differences in vaccination rates based on the official German vaccination recommendations as well as differences in SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in the different age groups. Health status and quality of life of almost all children were very good independent of SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or vaccination.
Trial registration
German Registry for Clinical Trials Identifier Würzburg: DRKS00025546 (registration: 11.09.2021), Bochum: DRKS00022434 (registration:07.08.2020), Dresden: DRKS 00022455 (registration: 23.07.2020).
Funder
Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
Freistaat Sachsen
Bavarian State Ministry of Health and Care and the Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority
Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden an der Technischen Universität Dresden
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Infectious Diseases,Microbiology (medical),General Medicine