Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in children of United Kingdom healthcare workers: a prospective multicentre cohort study protocol

Michael Corr, Sharon Christie, Chris Watson, Julieann Maney, Derek Fairley, Shamez N Ladhani, Mark David Lyttle, Lisa McFetridge, Hannah Mitchell, Michael David Shields, Claire McGinn, James McKenna, Peter Mallett, Kathryn Ferris, Gala Rowe-Setz, Rebecca Moore, Steven Foster, Jennifer Evans, Tom Waterfield

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)
83 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: A novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has been responsible for a worldwide pandemic. Children typically have very mild, or no, symptoms of infection. This makes estimations of seroprevalence in children difficult. Research is therefore required to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in children. The primary objective of this study is to report the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and/or IgG antibodies in healthy children at baseline, 2 months and 6 months. This is the only longitudinal UK study of seroprevalence in an exclusively paediatric population. Determining the changing seroprevalence is of vital public health importance and can help inform decisions around the lifting of paediatric specific social distancing measures such as school closures and the cancellation of routine paediatric hospital services.

Methods and analysis: 1000 healthy children of healthcare workers aged between 2 and 15 years will be recruited from five UK sites (Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow, London and Manchester). The children will undergo phlebotomy at baseline, 2 months and 6 months to measure IgM and/or IgG positivity to SARS-CoV-2. A sample size of 675 patients is required to detect a 5% change in seroprevalence at each time point assuming an alpha of 0.05 and a beta of 0.2. Adjusted probabilities for the presence of IgG and/or IgM antibodies and of SARS-CoV-2 infection will be reported using logistic regression models where appropriate.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere041661
Number of pages5
JournalBMJ Open
Volume10
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Nov 2020

Bibliographical note

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • Antibodies, Viral/blood
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Health Personnel
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Pandemics
  • Prospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2/immunology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • United Kingdom/epidemiology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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