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[Preprint]. 2024 Sep 26:rs.3.rs-4983012.
doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4983012/v1.

Seroprevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies among Children attending the Pediatric Hospital in Bamako, Mali (BamaCoV-Kids Study)

Almoustapha Issiaka Maiga  1 , Amadou Kodio  2 , Salimata Alou Ouedrago  2 , Aliou Baldé  3 , Penda Dembele  2 , Fatoumata Tata Traore  2 , Oumar Dolo  2 , Josué Togo  2 , Yacouba Aba Coulibaly  1 , Mariam Sylla  1 , Robert L Murphy  4 , Anne-Geneviève Marcelin  5 , Vincent Calvez  5 , Abdoul Aziz Diakité  1 , Eve Todesco  5
Affiliations

Seroprevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies among Children attending the Pediatric Hospital in Bamako, Mali (BamaCoV-Kids Study)

Almoustapha Issiaka Maiga et al. Res Sq. .

Update in

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among children attending pediatric consultations in Bamako, Mali, using a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) on fingertip or venous blood samples.

Methods: A single-center, prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from May to September 2022 at the Pediatric Hospital in Bamako, Mali. Children aged 1 to 15 years underwent phlebotomy or fingertip blood sampling for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing using the Abbott Panbio COVID-19 IgG/IgM Test. Demographic data and potential risk factors were collected. Categorical variables were compared using Fisher's exact test, and quantitative variables were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test.

Results: A total of 315 children were included, with a median age of 6 years (range 3-9 years); 45.7% (144/315) were younger than 6 years, and 54% (170/315) were male. The majority lived in urban areas (89.9%) and used public transportation (85.7%). The overall seroprevalence was 63.5%, with a higher seroprevalence observed among children aged 6 years and older compared to those under 6 years. The odds of having a positive serology were approximately twice as high in children aged ≥6 years in both univariate (OR 1.99; 95% CI: 1.25-3.17; P=0.0014) and multivariable analyses (OR 2.05; 95% CI: 1.26-3.32; P=0.0038). No significant differences in seropositivity were found for other demographic or risk factors.

Conclusions: A substantial proportion of children in Bamako showed evidence of past SARS-CoV-2 infection, underscoring the importance of continued surveillance and preventive measures in this population.

Keywords: Africa; Anti-nucleocapsid antibodies; Children; IgG; Mali; SARS-CoV-2; Seroprevalence.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests None.

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