The COVID-19 Prevalence among Children: Hypotheses for Low Infection Rate and Few Severe Forms among This Age Group in Sub-Saharan Africa

Despite some cases of severe or critical manifestations of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) described among children, the prevalence of this infection in the pediatric population is quite low worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Current data suggest indeed that, independent of the p...

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Published inInterdisciplinary perspectives on infectious diseases Vol. 2021; pp. 1 - 5
Main Authors Simeni Njonnou, Sylvain Raoul, Noumedem Anangmo, Nadia Christelle, Kemta Lekpa, Fernando, Noukeu Njinkui, Diomede, Enyama, Dominique, Ngongang Ouankou, Christian, Vounsia Balti, Eric, Mbono Samba Eloumba, Esther Astrid, Moulion Tapouh, Jean Roger, Choukem, Simeon Pierre
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York Hindawi 2021
Hindawi Limited
Wiley
Subjects
Coronaviruses
Fatalities
Mortality
Parasites
Review
Viral infections
United States > US
Europe
Sub-Saharan Africa
Africa
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Summary:Despite some cases of severe or critical manifestations of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) described among children, the prevalence of this infection in the pediatric population is quite low worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Current data suggest indeed that, independent of the population considered overall, severe and critical cases of COVID-19 are rare among children. This observation prompted us to discuss the possible hypotheses which could explain the low prevalence of COVID-19 among children; amongst others, we discuss (1) immunomodulation by the Bacillus Calmette–Guerin vaccine or by some parasitic infections such as malaria, schistosomiasis, and helminthiasis and (2) cross immunization with other coronaviruses commonly found in the sub-Saharan African setting.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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Academic Editor: Morteza Saki
ISSN:1687-708X
1687-7098
DOI:10.1155/2021/4258414