A very low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection but a high prevalence of other respiratory virus infections in children admitted to paediatric emergency departments.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

To investigate the prevalence of infections by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other respiratory viruses among children admitted to paediatric emergency departments (PEDs).

Methods

From April to July 2020, a prospective, multicentre cohort study was conducted in the PEDs of eight French university hospitals. Regardless of the reason for admission, a nasopharyngeal swab sample from each child was screened using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests for SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses. We determined the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses and identified risk factors associated with a positive test.

Results

Of the 924 included children (median [interquartile range] age: 4 years [1-9]; boys:

SUBMITTER: Viart J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9111352 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature