COVID-19-like symptoms and their relation to SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in children and adults of the Italian birth cohort
Publication date: 15/05/2020 – E&P Code: repo.epiprev.it/1634
Authors: Maja Popovic1, Chiara Moccia1, Elena Isaevska1, Giovenale Moirano1, Costanza Pizzi1, Daniela Zugna1, Franca Rusconi2, Franco Merletti1, Milena Maule1, Lorenzo Richiardi1
Abstract: Background. Emerging COVID-19 pandemic caused extensive lockdowns in a number of countries, but yet unknown number of cases positive to SARS-CoV-2 escapes surveillance systems.
Methods. Mothers participating in the Italian NINFEA birth cohort were invited to complete an online questionnaire on COVID-19-like symptoms in the household. We estimated the population prevalence of COVID-19-like symptoms in children and adults, assessed their geographical correlation with the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases by province, analysed their clustering within families, and estimated their sensitivity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) for COVID-19 diagnosis in individuals tested for SARS-CoV-2.
