Science and Research

Long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination in a population-based pediatric cohort

During the omicron wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and with SARS-CoV-2 vaccines becoming available, seroprevalence rates rose in children and adolescents. This study investigated the impact of both SARS-CoV-2 infections and vaccinations on the incidence of acute and prolonged symptoms in real-world conditions during the transition from the pandemic to the endemic phase. Participants from a pediatric population based seroprevalence study (CorKID study) were followed up at least two and for almost four years by survey of health status features and symptoms suggestive of post-COVID syndrome (PCS). In a subgroup (n = 259) SARS-CoV-2 antibody serology was further investigated. 789 participants of the original CorKID study cohort (n = 2.121; 37.2%) were included. 67.9% reported at least one SARS-CoV2 infection. 46.6% had received one or more SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations. In the vast majority of serologically tested participants antibodies again SARS-CoV-2 spike (98.9%) or nucleocapsid (93.3%) antigen were detected following infection and/or vaccination. At least 30% experienced one unrecognized SARS-CoV-2 infection. The overall health status was comparable between children, irrespective of SARS-CoV-2 infections and similar to pre-pandemic assessment. However, a subset of young adolescents exhibited a decline in physical performance compared to pre-pandemic conditions. After infection, PCS-like symptoms persisted in 7% of the respondents for more than three months and up to four years. SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated participants (47%) reported 12% less acute flu-like infections other than SARS-CoV-2. Nearly all participants developed SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in this longitudinal study through either vaccination or infection during the Omicron wave. About 7% of participants suffered from PCS symptoms, predominately fatigue and exhaustion. Furthermore, participants who received vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2 reported a lower frequency of acute infections during follow-up.

  • Höppner, J.
  • Maier, C.
  • Schlegtendal, A.
  • Hoffmann, A.
  • Petersmann, A.
  • Lücke, T.
  • Toepfner, N.
  • Brinkmann, F.

Keywords

  • Humans
  • *COVID-19/epidemiology/prevention & control/immunology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Male
  • *SARS-CoV-2/immunology
  • Adolescent
  • *COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology/administration & dosage
  • *Antibodies, Viral/blood/immunology
  • *Vaccination
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Cohort Studies
  • Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
  • Child, Preschool
  • Children
  • Follow-up
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Seroprevalence
  • Vaccination
Publication details
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-84140-6
Journal: Sci Rep
Pages: 2921 
Number: 1
Work Type: Original
Location: Assoziierter Partner
Disease Area: PALI
Partner / Member: UKSH (Lübeck)
Access-Number: 39849019

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