Seroepidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 Among Asymptomatic Children in Tehran

The objective of this study was to determine the seroepidemiological history of SARS-CoV-2 infection among asymptomatic children in Tehran.

Blood samples of children younger than 14 years old were collected during the period autumn-winter 2020 and spring 2021 and tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody using the EUROIMMUN ELISA kit. In addition, questionnaires were used to collect demographic and infection status information in the participants. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software.

Out of the 1142 children collected from the children with no COVID-19 symptoms, 33.3% (381/1142) were found to have had a history of SARS-CoV-2. The positive samples in girls and boys were 34.1% and 33.03%, respectively. Analysis of the data showed no statistically significant differences between the infection rate on the one hand and age, family size, underlying diseases, gender or occupations of the family members on the other hand. In addition, the infection rate was significantly lower in autumn 2020 than in winter 2020 and spring 2021.

SARS-CoV-2 infection can occur in children with no clinical symptoms. In addition, the infection rate is in direct correlation with an increase in age of the children.