SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence of Surinamese Children and Determinants of Seropositivity in the CCREOH/MeKiTamara Cohort

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The main goal of this study is to identify predictors associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seropositivity in children, including demographics, history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection of the child and the household members, prevention practices, and maternal vaccination. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study within the Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health (CCREOH)/MeKiTamara cohort included 300 mother-child dyads recruited in Paramaribo and Nickerie, Suriname (February-April 2023). The total immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-spike domain 1 (S1) and anti-nucleoprotein (NP) were quantified in dried blood spot (DBS) eluates from children using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Demographic information, COVID-19 prevention measures, history of viral infection of the child and the household members, and COVID-19 vaccination questionnaire data were recorded. Predictors of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence were determined using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a significant increase in SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in Surinamese children aged 3-6 years between collection periods, indicating multiple exposures. Future public health interventions and policies should account for maternal vaccination status to reduce children's exposure to COVID-19 during future outbreaks.