Study reveals children with weaker immune system not showing higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection

Children with weakened immune systems have not shown a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 infection despite commonly displaying symptoms, a new study suggests.

During a 16-week period that covered the first wave of the pandemic, researchers from Southampton carried out an observational study of nearly 1500 immunocompromised children -- defined as requiring annual influenza vaccinations due to underlying conditions or medication.

The children, their parents or guardians completed weekly questionnaires to provide information about any symptoms they had experienced, COVID-19 test results and the impact of the pandemic on their daily life.

The results, published in BMJ Open, showed that symptoms of COVID-19 infection were common in many of the children -- with over two-thirds of participants reporting at least one symptom and one third experiencing three or more symptoms simultaneously.

One hundred and ten patients with symptoms undertook viral PCR tests, none of whom tested positive.

The report also concludes that the continuous high level of anxiety among participants highlights the need to clearly define and communicate the risk of COVID-19 in children and young people, particularly as lockdown restrictions ease.