Children was very similar to the SARS-CoV-2 viral load, as adults

Children and young people are in relation to the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is likely to be just as infectious as adults. This is evident from the so far largest analysis of data from over 3,700 COVID-19-Patients in different age groups evaluated and inter-compared. The analysis suggests that an unrestricted Opening of all schools and kindergartens must be viewed with caution.

A research team at the Charité University hospital in Berlin, under the direction of virologist Professor Dr. Christian Drosten published the first major analysis, which allowed a first assessment of the role of children in the Coronavirus pandemic. The evaluation of 3.712 COVID-19-Concerned showed that there is no significant difference in the SARS-CoV-2 viral load in different age groups. The analysis with the title: “an analysis of SARS-CoV-2 viral load by patient age” may be viewed on the website of the Charité.

Children seem to be as infectious as adults

The viral load in the respiratory tract differs in different age groups in the relevant dimensions, reports a research group led by the virologist Professor Dr. Christian Drosten. The Team analyzed the viral load of 3.712 COVID-19-patients and in -patients from different age categories. There is no significant difference between age groups could be revealed. This suggests that children are equally infectious as adults.

Limitation of the study

The data is a preliminary result, that no Peer Review has been completed and no journal was published. It is only the Virusast was investigated. It remains unclear whether children give the Virus just as often as adults. This question is currently the clear difficult, because of all of the schools and day-care centres are closed and there is thus no possibility of a study under real conditions.

No final statement on the Infectivity possible

The data are Laboratory reports. Professor Drosten emphasized in his NDR Podcast, that such data “can only give indirect evidence”. However, to be drawn from previous studies suggest that the viral load in the throat correlating well with the transmission potential.

Some Agumente speak to the virologists, according to the but also to ensure that children could be, despite the same viral load are less infectious. So a SARS-CoV-2 infection in children the course often asymptomatic or mild, you cough less, and could, therefore, less virus in the respiratory air. On the other hand, they would also be less distance to the other children and caregivers.

Drosten: “The result was clear.”

The Team of the Charité staggered for the first time, the present data by age groups and divided them into social categorizations, such as Kindergarten, primary school, secondary schools, students, adults, and older adults. This comparison showed a clear result: “We can’t prove, in groups of children that you have in comparison to adults, different virus concentrations in the respiratory tract,” says Drosten.

Even at a low symptoms high Virusast

In addition, the analysis showed that children who developed no symptoms of a SARS-CoV-2 infection, showed a high viral load. In a direct comparison of children with symptoms, the virus load was in the asymptomatic children was even higher – suggesting that asymptomatic gradients could be associated in children with an even higher risk for further infections.

Children’s hospital paints a different picture

A research team at the Dr. von Hauner children’s hospital in Munich, argues, instead, to reconsider the closures of schools and daycare centers is critical. In a report that was recently published in the “Deutschen ärzteblatt”, bring together the researchers, evidence from several studies indicate that children play a minor role in the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

According to the research group only two to three percent in Germany, currently the reported COVID-19 – cases in the age of the child. In two studies from Iceland and Italy could not be demonstrated in children under ten years of SARS-CoV-2. It’ll come in children and young people to the paths is very rarely severe COVID-19 -. Deaths were in this context much less frequently. 31. March 2020 the research team, only seven cases known worldwide.

Everything revolves around the question of whether children SARS-CoV-2 transfer

However, the researchers at the Dr. von Hauner children’s hospital point out that the question of Transfer is not finally clarified. There are so many children develop asymptomatic gradients, it is highly likely that the number of unreported cases in children is extremely high. Because children are tested due to the lack of symptoms is much less.

The research-based evidence to suggest that children seem to play a minor role found. According to a report by the Joint Mission Team of the WHO could not be observed in China, in investigations of the outbreak, that children are for the infection of adults is responsible. Data from studies on budgetary transfers also suggests that children are not usually responsible for the infection within the house. The data are but vague, since many schools were closed and children had, therefore, a few ways to become infected.

Slow SARS-CoV-2-spread in the young population

The research team points out that mathematical models show that the average age of the population plays a role in SARS-CoV-2 spread. Thus, the basic reproduction number R0 from country to country, the smaller, the younger the average age of the population. In developing countries with a high proportion of Children and a slower spread of SARS-CoV-2 could be observed – further evidence that children do not play a major role.

Right to education should be a priority

The researchers at the Dr. von Hauner children’s hospital come to the conclusion that, according to current knowledge, children are not essential to the Transmission of SARS to be CoV-2 involved seem and Cribs at the end of closure of schools, nurseries and children’s less-than-expected mitigation of the pandemic, and contribute. Why should “the right of children to education and participation will be granted to the company priority.”

Why is the assessment of children so difficult?

Overall, a zwiegespaltenes picture of the role of children in the Coronavirus pandemic is shown. As in most countries, early school closures occurred, there is no experience about possible consequences. Since children have predominantly asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections, there are few reliable data. In addition, existing data were collected primarily in the current measures and allow no clear conclusion with regard to ordinary circumstances. Most easily could be currently being carried out in Sweden such an examination. Professor Drosten showed astonishment that there seems to be no research project in this direction. (vb)