The Critical Need for Pooled Data on Coronavirus Disease 2019 in African Children: An AFREhealth Call for Action Through Multicountry Research Collaboration. (13th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sam-Agudu, Nadia A; Rabie, Helena; Pipo, Michel Tshiasuma; Byamungu, Liliane Nsuli; Masekela, Refiloe; van der Zalm, Marieke M; Redfern, Andrew; Dramowski, Angela; Mukalay, Abdon; Gachuno, Onesmus W; Mongweli, Nancy; Kinuthia, John; Ishoso, Daniel Katuashi; Amoako, Emmanuella; Agyare, Elizabeth; Agbeno, Evans K; Mohammed Jibril, Aishatu; Abdullahi, Asara M; Amadi, Oma; Mohammed Umar, Umar; Ayele, Birhanu T; Machekano, Rhoderick N; Nyasulu, Peter S; Hermans, Michel P; Otshudiema, John Otokoye; Bongo-Pasi Nswe, Christian; Kayembe, Jean-Marie N; Mbala-Kingebeni, Placide; Muyembe-Tamfum, Jean-Jacques; Aanyu, Hellen Tukamuhebwa; Musoke, Philippa; Fowler, Mary Glenn; Sewankambo, Nelson; Suleman, Fatima; Adejumo, Prisca; Tsegaye, Aster; Mteta, Alfred; Noormahomed, Emilia V; Deckelbaum, Richard J; Zumla, Alimuddin; Mavungu Landu, Don Jethro; Tshilolo, Léon; Zigabe, Serge; Goga, Ameena; Mills, Edward J; Umar, Lawal W; Kruger, Mariana; Mofenson, Lynne M; Nachega, Jean B;
• Is Part Of: Clinical infectious diseases. Volume 73:Number 10(2021)
• Page Start: 1913
• Page End: 1919
• Publication Date: 2021-02-13
• Subjects: SARS-CoV-2 -- COVID-19 -- children -- neonates -- Africa; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; 616.905
• DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab142
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1058-4838

Abstract

Abstract: Globally, there are prevailing knowledge gaps in the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among children and adolescents; and these gaps are especially wide in African countries. The availability of robust age-disaggregated data is a critical first step in improving knowledge on disease burden and manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among children. Furthermore, it is essential to improve understanding of SARS-CoV-2 interactions with comorbidities and coinfections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis, malaria, sickle cell disease, and malnutrition, which are highly prevalent among children in sub-Saharan Africa. The African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth) COVID-19 Research Collaboration on Children and Adolescents is conducting studies across Western, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa to address existing knowledge gaps. This consortium is expected to generate key evidence to inform clinical practice and public health policy-making for COVID-19 while concurrently addressing other major diseases affecting children in African countries. Abstract : Robust data on epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and outcomes of child and adolescent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in African countries are lacking. Cross-country collaborations are critical for obtaining data to understand the effects of COVID-19 on health outcomes among younger populations in these settings.