Assessment of the quantitative serum severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 immunoglobulin M antibodies in febrile children and its relation to coagulation profile

Abstract

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is produced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Aim This study aimed to evaluate the quantitative serum SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies in febrile children with respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms and its relation to the coagulation profile. Patients and methods This cross-sectional work included 90 febrile children aged 1.5–16 years. Children were categorized into three equal groups: group I: respiratory symptoms. Group II: gastrointestinal symptoms. Group III: no other associated symptoms. Results There was a significant negative correlation between the level of CoV-2 IgM and absolute platelets and lymphocyte count. There was a significant positive correlation present between CoV-2 IgM and dimer, and C-reactive protein and cyanosis. There was a significant negative correlation between negative SARS-CoV-2 IgM instances and C-reactive protein and D-dimer in group II patients and between positive SARS-CoV-2 IgM cases and total leukocyte count in group III. While a significant positive correlation existed among negative SARS-CoV-2 IgM instances and D-dimer in group III and positive SARS-CoV-2 IgM instances and absolute lymphocyte count in group II, D-dimer in group III. SARS-CoV-2 IgM can significantly predict COVID instances at a cutoff of 2.25 with 85.6% sensitivity and 96.2% specificity. The D-dimer level was significantly higher in group I when compared with groups II and III. Conclusions Children have a measurable serological response, and the study of its quantity may have prognostic importance. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 IgM antibodies have a relationship to coagulation profile. SARS-CoV-2 IgM is a diagnostic factor for COVID cases.