The following is a summary of “Pediatric Infection-Induced SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Increases and Seroprevalence by Type of Clinical Care—September 2021 to February 2022,” published in the February 2023 issue of Infectious Diseases by Clarke, et al.

Estimates of the US pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced seroprevalence based on commercial laboratory specimens may overrepresent kids who need medical attention often. For a study, researchers compared seroprevalence estimates by diagnostic coding and testing type, and they looked at seroprevalence trends.

Convenience samples of leftover sera collected cross-sectionally in 52 US jurisdictions were sampled between September 2021 and February 2022 to test for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 caused by infection. Monthly seroprevalence estimates were calculated for each age group. Seroprevalence estimates were evaluated across pediatric specimens and specimens connected with laboratory orders suggesting well-child care and International Classification of Diseases—Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes using multivariate logistic analysis.

From 30% to 68% (1-4 years), 38% to 77% (5-8 years), and 40% to 74% (7-9 years), the infection-induced SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence rose across all age groups (12–17 years). According to a multivariate analysis, patients with ICD-10 well-child codes were more likely to be seropositive than patients aged 1–17 years (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.07); children aged 9–11 years who received standard lipid screening were more likely to be seropositive than those who received other laboratory tests (aPR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.08).

Between September 2021 and February 2022, the prevalence of infection-induced seroprevalence climbed 85% in teenagers and more than doubled in children under the age of 12 years. Estimates of US pediatric seroprevalence were not significantly affected by variations in seroprevalence according to care type.

Reference: academic.oup.com/jid/article/227/3/364/6771010