Kids and SARS-CoV-2 transmission and disease (CoKids-study)

Within the CoKids study, we investigated the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections in 307 families with children in different age groups. The family members have been regularly tested for the coronavirus regardless of complaints. When a family member tested positive, or when he/she developed respiratory symptoms, a period of intensive monitoring of the entire family followed for 3-6 weeks. The spread of the coronavirus has been mapped by sampling family members, blood tests and daily registration of health complaints. This revealed that: 1) children experience a SARS-CoV-2 infection more often than previously thought based on previous registration data; 2) the symptoms and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children are indistinguishable from other common respiratory infections; 3) children play a major role in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 within households; Young children in particular are more likely to pass it on to their parents. This probably has to do with the type of contact (care, cuddling) where maintaining distance is not possible.