Prevalence of Children and Adolescents with Asymptomatic Covid-19 and its Implications in Pediatrics and General Medicine

Authors: Turabian JL*

Special Issue 1

Abstract

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses different challenges to pediatricians and general practitioners (GPs) in the care of children and adolescents around the world. These are clearly susceptible to infection and can develop serious complications; although many experience mild or unrecognized disease, and remain asymptomatic. However, only a small number of children have been included in previous studies focused on the kinetics of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 spread. Furthermore, the data on the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic children and adolescents are highly variable and difficult to interpret, the most real rates possibly being between 20-50%, which are correlated with those of the local community. Asymptomatic children and adolescents are a potential source of contagion, possibly initiating many of the COVID-19 outbreaks. Without a vaccine or effective treatment, stopping the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 remains the only defense. But, the position of pediatricians and GPs is more complex. Preventing contagion and interrupting the transmission process is a priority, and focus of testing programs should be expanded to include people who do not have COVID-19 symptoms, especially all children and adolescents with household contacts. Public health interventions aimed at children and adolescents are precise, but this population is potentially more vulnerable to its negative effects than to infection by the virus itself. Pediatricians and GPs must practice in a biopsychosocial, proactive, holistic, and culturally competent manner to address the needs of children and adolescents. The potential role of children in transmitting disease in the community needs to be further elucidated, including possible important epidemiological roles in enhancing the spread of infection through communities and / or increasing herd immunity. Great care must be taken that “sanitary remedies” (non-pharmacological public health, vaccination when available, pharmacological treatment, etc.) on the population of children and adolescents, although justified, are not worse than the disease.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Asymptomatic infections; Epidemiological characteristic

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