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Review
. 2022 Feb;23(2):177-185.
doi: 10.1038/s41590-021-01123-9. Epub 2022 Feb 1.

Immunology of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children

Janet Chou  1 , Paul G Thomas  2 , Adrienne G Randolph  3
Affiliations
Review

Immunology of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children

Janet Chou et al. Nat Immunol. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Children and adolescents exhibit a broad range of clinical outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 infection, with the majority having minimal to mild symptoms. Additionally, some succumb to a severe hyperinflammatory post-infectious complication called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), predominantly affecting previously healthy individuals. Studies characterizing the immunological differences associated with these clinical outcomes have identified pathways important for host immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and innate modulators of disease severity. In this Review, we delineate the immunological mechanisms underlying the spectrum of pediatric immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in comparison with that of adults.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests statement

P.G.T. serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of Immunoscape and Cytoagents. The other authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Summary of factors reducing the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections in children
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Key developmental differences in pediatric and adult immune mechanisms against viral infections.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Comparison of differences in the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in children and adults, across the spectrum of disease severity.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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