Washington, Jul 31 (PTI) Kids younger than five years with moderate to moderate COVID-19 have much higher levels of this novel coronavirus genetic material at the nose compared to older kids and adults, according to another study that raises concern about the reopening of schools and daycare centres across the world.
The findings, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, shed light on the risk that the youngest children transmit the virus just as far as other age groups.

According to scientists, including those in Ann &amp; Robert H. Lurie Children"s Hospital in the US, the ability of younger kids to spread COVID-19 might have been under-recognised awarded the rapid and continuing closure of schools and daycare centers during the outbreak.

"Our analyses suggest children younger than five years with mild to moderate COVID-19 have elevated amounts of the SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in their nasopharynx in comparison with older children and adults," the scientists wrote in the research.

According to the study"s lead writer Taylor Heald-Sargent, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Ann &amp; Robert H. Lurie Children"s Hospital, this may suggest increased transmission of this virus by kids than seen in adults.

He added that the findings are very similar to the transmission pattern seen with the respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV.

"This has important public health consequences, particularly during talks on the safety of reopening schools and daycare," Heald-Sargent explained.

From the analysis, the researchers analysed 145 instances of mild to moderate COVID-19 disease within the first week of symptom onset.

They compared the amount of virus genetic material found in 3 age groups -- children younger than five decades, children five to 17 decades, and adults 18-65 yearsago

"Our study was not meant to prove that younger kids spread COVID-19 as much as adults, however, it is a potential," Heald-Sargent explained.

"We will need to take that into consideration in attempts to reduce transmission as we continue to learn more about this particular virus," he added.

The researchers cautioned that the study is restricted to detection of viral genetic material -- its own nucleic acid molecule RNA -- rather than infectious virus.

But they added that before research on pediatric cases of COVID-19 pointed to a correlation between high viral nucleic acid levels and the capability to civilization infectious virus.

"Thus, young kids can possibly be significant drivers of SARS-CoV-2 distribute in the overall population, as was demonstrated with respiratory syncytial virus, in which kids with elevated viral loads are more likely to transmit," the investigators explained from the research.

They said the behavioral habits of young children, as well as the quarters they occupy in school and day care settings raise concern for amplified transmission of the virus because public health constraints are eased.

"Along with public health consequences, this population will likely be important for targeting immunisation attempts as SARS-CoV-2 vaccines become available," the scientists concluded.PTI VIS VIS