Factors influencing viral shedding time in non-severe paediatric infection with the SARS-CoV-2: a single-centre retrospective study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the factors influencing viral shedding time (VST) in non-severe paediatric infection with SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from 240 non-severe paediatric infection with the SARS-CoV-2. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors associated with VST. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty patients were included in the study. The median duration of VST was 10 days (IQR, 8–13 days). Compared with patients aged <1 year, children aged 6–12 years (adjusted HR (aHR): 1.849; 95% CI 1.031 to 3.315) and >12 years (aHR: 2.180; 95% CI 1.071 to 4.439) had shorter VST. Non-leucopenia patients (aHR: 1.431; 95% CI 1.005 to 2.038) also had a lower VST. DISCUSSION: The results of this study show that children aged <1 year and children with leucopenia had longer SARS-CoV-2 VST. These factors should be taken into account when developing policies for the isolation of patients with COVID-19.