Kids have higher concentration of neutralizing antibodies after mild COVID infection compared to adults: Study

Key findings of the study are:

-Upon analysis of 283 blood samples from confirmed COVID-19 patients, nAbs persisted for a median of 132 days and on subgroup analysis children less than 6 years had increasing trend as opposed against 6-15 years children and adults.

-nAbs inversely correlated with age, and children aged <3 years had the highest titers throughout early ,intermediate and late times from infection onset.

-Difference in the viral load at time of active infection were not significant- adults recorded a mean viral load of 107.88 copies, whereas children aged <6 years had 107.645 and 6-15 years children had 106.79.

Authors conclude-"Younger children develop higher levels of nAbs during the first 7 to 8 months after asymptomatic or mild symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019, compared with older siblings and adults. The long lasting levels of nAbs may lead to durable protection and higher viral clearance, reducing shedding and transmission."

Source: Bonfante F, Costenaro P, Cantarutti A, Di Chiara C, Bortolami A, Petrara MR, Carmona F, Pagliari M, Cosma C, Cozzani S, Mazzetto E, Di Salvo G, Da Dalt L, Palma P, Barzon L, Corrao G, Terregino C, Padoan A, Plebani M, De Rossi A, Donà D, Giaquinto C. Mild SARS-CoV-2 Infections and Neutralizing Antibody Titers. Pediatrics. 2021 Sep;148(3):e2021052173. doi: 10.1542/peds.2021-052173.