Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

September 25, 2020

Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Children and Adolescents Compared With Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Category:

Topic:

Keywords (Tags):

  • A systematic review and meta-analysis (32 studies with 41,640 children and adolescents and 268,945 adults) found that children and adolescents younger than 20 years had 44% lower odds of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2 after potential exposure to an index case (secondary attack rate) compared to adults 20 years and older. Data were insufficient to conclude whether transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by children is lower than by adults.

Viner et al (Sept 25, 2020). Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Children and Adolescents Compared With Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA. https://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.4573