Francesco Nunziata (Italy)

University of Naples Federico II Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Section of Paediatrics
University Hospital Federico II, Naples (Italy). Dr Francesco Nunziata completed his Medical School (2014) with a thesis in Viral Hepatitis. Residency in Paediatrics at the Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Napoli and the Faculty of Medicine, Federico II, Italy, in parallel MD (2020-2021) in the COVID-19 paediatric department for the management of children with SARS-CoV-2 infection. His interest in paediatric infectious diseases motivated a 3-year address in Paediatric Infectious Diseases at the University Federico II centre focusing his research on SARS-CoV-2 infection, cholangitis, viral hepatitis, infectious diarrhoea, vaccination, public health and human sciences in patients with chronic disease.

Presenter of 2 Presentations

 Conference Calendar

ATTITUDES TOWARDS IMMUNIZATION AGAINST INFLUENZA AND SARS-COV-2 IN PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC DISEASE AND IN CONTROLS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC. (ID 2003)

Session Name
2010 - E-POSTER DISCUSSION SESSION 04: COVID EPIDEMIOLOGY (ID 43)
Lecture Time
14:50 - 14:55
Room
Hall 06
Presenter

NON-TRANSMISSION OF SARS-COV-2 FROM INFECTED CHILDREN TO PARENTS: A PILOT STUDY IN A HOSPITAL SETTING (ID 1237)

Session Name
2220 - ORAL PRESENTATIONS 06: COVID TRANSMISSION (ID 103)
Lecture Time
10:37 - 10:44
Room
Hall 03
Presenter

Abstract

Background

Although transmission from asymptomatic children to adults has been demonstrated conclusive data about the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from children to their caregivers are not available.
We investigated the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection spreading from infected young children to caregivers when admitted to Pediatric Infectious Disease ward during pandemic.

Methods

In each isolation room (17 m2), the caregiver and the child were in close contact. Both, children and their caregivers were swab tested at admission and every 3 to 5 days. Swab test was performed to caregivers also 14 days after the last exposure to their positive child. Cycle threshold (Ct) from real-time (quantitative) PCR was obtained. IgG assay electrochemiluminescence (ECL) anti-SARS-CoV-2 was performed at the time of hospital admission and 14-21 days after exposure. Overall exposure to SARS-CoV-2, was accurately investigated through clinical anamnestic interview.

Results

Ninety-two nasopharyngeal swab (RT-PCR) SARS-CoV-2 positive children (mean age 3,5 ± 4.8) attended by their caregivers were hospitalized in single room. When admitted to the hospital 8/92 (8,7%) caregivers were RT-PCR and IgG negative. Features of the eight discordant pairs (positive patient /negative caregiver) are shown in the table. The mean duration of overall exposure from index case was 19±11,7 days. Pt. #1,6,8, showed low Ct values (high viral load). In spite of the prolonged hospitalization and low Ct, none of the 8 infected children transmitted SARS-CoV-2 to his caregiver.

figure. clinical, serological, and epidemic features of the eight couples of patients and caregivers.png

Conclusions

Our report described a unique setting where the child is the only possible source of infection. This data show that children are not a source of SARS-CoV-2 infection even if they live in close contact with adults.

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