Over 50% Mumbai kids have antibodies: Sero-survey

MUMBAI: The results of the BMC’s first pediatric sero-survey show 51.18% of the children surveyed have antibodies to the Covid-causing SARS-CoV-2, allaying fears that the probable third wave would disproportionately affect children.

The presence of antibodies in blood reveals a past infection and, more importantly, indicates the person has immunity against the same infection for some period.
The pediatric survey was carried out by BMC-run Nair Hospital doctors, with 2,176 samples collected from the 24 civic wards in the city. The survey began on April 1, when the second Covid wave was peaking, and continued till June 15, said Nair Hospital’s head of microbiology Dr Jayanthi Shastri.
At 53.4%, sero-positivity is highest in 10-14 age group
The BMC’s first pediatric sero-survey shows over 50% of the children surveyed have antibodies. To get a picture from across socio-economic levels, 1,283 samples were taken from BMC-run Aapli Chikitsa Network and Nair Hospital that offer free tests, while 893 samples were taken from two private labs. “There was fear that children would be most vulnerable during the third wave as they would be the only section not vaccinated against Covid-19, prompting us to carry out a survey that would provide answers,” Nair Hospital’s head of microbiology Dr Jayanthi Shastri.
BMC commissioner I S Chahal called the results, released on Monday, as “encouraging.”
The survey results showed overall sero-positivity of 51.18% among children. More children from the economically weaker section (54.36%) had antibodies as compared to 47.03% from the relatively affluent sector.
Sero-positivity was highest in the 10-14 age-group (53.43%) and lowest in the 1-to-4 age-group (51.04%). In the 10-14 age-group, more children who got their tests done in the public sector
(58.3%) had antibodies than those in the private sector (46.8%). Incidentally, a recent sero-survey in Delhi too showed 59.3% children had previous exposure to the virus. When the pandemic began, it was believed children were immune to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. But it was later established children get as infected by the virus as adults do, but they are largely asymptomatic.
BMC commissioner Chahal told TOI that more children had antibodies now than a few months ago. The third sero- survey done in March, for instance, showed 39.4% in the under-18 group had antibodies. A BMC doctor observed that more children would have been exposed during the second wave.
Welcoming the results, pediatrician Vijay Yewale, a member of the state pediatric task force, said the major fear vis-à-vis children was not the Covid-19 infection itself, but a little-known rare complication called multi-system inflammatory disorder that occurs a month after Covid. “The majority of children get asymptomatic Covid-19 infection, but a few of them could thereafter develop MIS that is serious,” he said.
Another pediatriciain said the fear of the third wave had led the state to carry out much-needed upgrade of pediatric infrastructure in public hospitals.
Chahal said despite the encouraging results, the BMC wouldn’t lower its guard as far as the third Covid wave is concerned. The field hospital in Malad will have 200 pediatric oxygen beds and 50 pediatric ICU beds. The four new field hospitals at Mahalaxmi, Worli, Kanjurmarg and Sion will have1,000 pediatric beds in all. “We are ensuring that there are cubicles made in a way for the patient and a parent can stay,” said Chahal.
Juhu corporator Renu Hansraj said the sero-survey results are good, but it would still not be a good idea to open up schools before children are fully vaccinated.