Abstract
Background and Objectives
Trends in estimates of US pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced seroprevalence from commercial laboratory specimens may overrepresent children with frequent healthcare needs. We examined seroprevalence trends and compared seroprevalence estimates by testing type and diagnostic coding.
Methods
Cross-sectional convenience samples of residual sera between September 2021 and February 2022 from 52 U.S. jurisdictions were assayed for infection-induced SARS-CoV-2 antibodies; monthly seroprevalence estimates were calculated by age group. Multivariate logistic analyses compared seroprevalence estimates for specimens associated with ICD-10 codes and laboratory orders indicating well-child care with estimates for other pediatric specimens.
Results
Infection-induced SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence increased in each age group; from 30% to 68% (1-4 years), 38% to 77% (5-11 years), and 40% to 74% (12-17 years). On multivariate analysis, patients with well-child ICD-10 codes were seropositive more often than other patients aged 1-17 years (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 1.04; 95% CI 1.02-1.07); children aged 9-11 years receiving standard lipid screening were seropositive more often than those receiving other laboratory tests (1.05; 1.02-1.08).
Conclusions
Infection-induced seroprevalence more than doubled among children under 12 between September 2021 and February 2022, and increased 85% in adolescents. Differences in seroprevalence by care type did not substantially impact US pediatric seroprevalence estimates.
Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, seroprevalence, serosurveillance, antibody, immunology
Contributor Information
Kristie E N Clarke, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Yun Kim, ICF, Rockville, Maryland, USA.
Jefferson Jones, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Adam Lee, ICF, Rockville, Maryland, USA.
Yangyang Deng, ICF, Rockville, Maryland, USA.
Elise Nycz, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Abt Associates, Rockville, Maryland, USA.
Ronaldo Iachan, ICF, Rockville, Maryland, USA.
Adi V Gundlapalli, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Adam MacNeil, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Aron Hall, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Supplementary Material
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