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. 2021 Nov 16;73(10):1913-1919.
doi: 10.1093/cid/ciab142.

The Critical Need for Pooled Data on Coronavirus Disease 2019 in African Children: An AFREhealth Call for Action Through Multicountry Research Collaboration

Nadia A Sam-Agudu  1   2   3 , Helena Rabie  4 , Michel Tshiasuma Pipo  5 , Liliane Nsuli Byamungu  6 , Refiloe Masekela  6 , Marieke M van der Zalm  4   7 , Andrew Redfern  4 , Angela Dramowski  4 , Abdon Mukalay  8 , Onesmus W Gachuno  9 , Nancy Mongweli  10 , John Kinuthia  9   10 , Daniel Katuashi Ishoso  11 , Emmanuella Amoako  12 , Elizabeth Agyare  13 , Evans K Agbeno  14 , Aishatu Mohammed Jibril  15 , Asara M Abdullahi  16 , Oma Amadi  17 , Umar Mohammed Umar  18 , Birhanu T Ayele  19 , Rhoderick N Machekano  19 , Peter S Nyasulu  19 , Michel P Hermans  20 , John Otokoye Otshudiema  21 , Christian Bongo-Pasi Nswe  5   22 , Jean-Marie N Kayembe  23 , Placide Mbala-Kingebeni  24 , Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum  24 , Hellen Tukamuhebwa Aanyu  25 , Philippa Musoke  26 , Mary Glenn Fowler  27 , Nelson Sewankambo  28 , Fatima Suleman  29 , Prisca Adejumo  30 , Aster Tsegaye  31 , Alfred Mteta  32 , Emilia V Noormahomed  33 , Richard J Deckelbaum  34 , Alimuddin Zumla  35 , Don Jethro Mavungu Landu  5   22 , Léon Tshilolo  8   36   37 , Serge Zigabe  38 , Ameena Goga  39   40 , Edward J Mills  41   42 , Lawal W Umar  15 , Mariana Kruger  4 , Lynne M Mofenson  43 , Jean B Nachega  44   45   46 ; Investigators in the AFREhealth COVID-19 Research Collaboration on Children and Adolescents
Collaborators, Affiliations

The Critical Need for Pooled Data on Coronavirus Disease 2019 in African Children: An AFREhealth Call for Action Through Multicountry Research Collaboration

Nadia A Sam-Agudu et al. Clin Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Globally, there are prevailing knowledge gaps in the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among children and adolescents; and these gaps are especially wide in African countries. The availability of robust age-disaggregated data is a critical first step in improving knowledge on disease burden and manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among children. Furthermore, it is essential to improve understanding of SARS-CoV-2 interactions with comorbidities and coinfections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis, malaria, sickle cell disease, and malnutrition, which are highly prevalent among children in sub-Saharan Africa. The African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth) COVID-19 Research Collaboration on Children and Adolescents is conducting studies across Western, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa to address existing knowledge gaps. This consortium is expected to generate key evidence to inform clinical practice and public health policy-making for COVID-19 while concurrently addressing other major diseases affecting children in African countries.

Keywords: Africa; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; children; neonates.

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