February 5, 2021

Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral loads in young children do not differ significantly from those in older children and adults

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

Keywords (Tags): children, clinical characteristics

A multicenter study of SARS-CoV-2 cases (n=5,544) confirmed by RT-PCR assay found no significant differences in viral concentration (as measured by Ct values) across different age groups. In particular, the children less than 5 years old did not display higher nasopharyngeal viral loads than older children or adults.

Madera et al. (Feb 4, 2021). Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral loads in young children do not differ significantly from those in older children and adults. Scientific Reports.  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81934-w