• Denholm, Rachel
• Dawe, Fiona
• Hay, Alastair D.
• Kalu, Ngozi
• Djomo, Patrick Nguipdop
• Downing, Harriet E.
• Mangtani, Punam
• Pierotti, Livia
• Warren-Gash, Charlotte
• Phelan, Jody
• Looker, Katharine J.
• Judd, Alison
• Mcclenaghan, Elliot
• Relton, Caroline
• Christensen, Hannah

Abstract

Background: The symptom profiles of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and long-COVID in children and young people (CYP), risk factors, and associated healthcare needs, are poorly defined. The Schools Infection Survey 1 (SIS-1) was a nationwide study of SARS-CoV-2 infection in primary and secondary schools in England during the 2020/21 school year. The Covid-19 Mapping and Mitigation in Schools (CoMMinS) study was conducted in schools in the Bristol area over a similar period. Both studies <br/>30 conducted testing to identify current and previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recorded symptoms and school attendance. These research data have been linked to routine electronic health record (EHR) data. <br/><br/>Aims: To better understand the short- and long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and their risk factors, in CYP. <br/><br/>Methods: Retrospective cohort and nested case-control analyses will be conducted for SIS-1 and CoMMinS data linked to EHR data for the association between (1) acute symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and risk factors; (2) SARS-CoV-2 infection and long-term effects on health: (a) persistent symptoms; (b) any new diagnosis; (c) a new prescription in primary care; (d) health service attendance; (e) a high rate of school absence. <br/><br/>Results: Our study will improve understanding of long-COVID in CYP by characterising the trajectory of long-COVID in CYP in terms of things like symptoms and diagnoses of conditions. The research will inform which groups of CYP are more likely to get acute- and long-term outcomes of SARS-CoV42 2 infection, and patterns of related healthcare-seeking behaviour, relevant for healthcare service planning. Digested information will be produced for affected families, doctors, schools, and the public, as appropriate. <br/><br/>Conclusion: Linked SIS-1 and CoMMinS data represent a unique and rich resource for understanding the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on children’s health, benefiting from enhanced SARS-CoV-2 testing and ability to assess a wide range of outcomes.

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