Immunology of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children

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

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Development
  • Age Factors
  • Asymptomatic Diseases
  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • Child
  • Child Development
  • Comorbidity
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Risk Factors
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / pathogenicity
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / immunology*
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / virology

Supplementary concepts

  • pediatric multisystem inflammatory disease, COVID-19 related