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Cited by 502

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 214 of the 214 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Why is COVID-19 less severe in children? A review of the proposed mechanisms underlying the age-related difference in severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections

Open access
Zimmermann, Petra, Curtis, Nigel·2021·Archives of Disease in Childhood

Abstract

In contrast to other respiratory viruses, children have less severe symptoms when infected with the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this review, we discuss proposed hypotheses for the age-related difference in severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Factors proposed to explain the difference in severity of COVID-19 in children and adults include those that put adults at higher risk and those that protect children. The former include: (1) age-related increase in endothelial damage and changes in clotting function; (2) higher density, increased affinity and different distribution of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptors and transmembrane serine protease 2; (3) pre-existing coronavirus antibodies (including antibody-dependent enhancement) and T cells; (4) immunosenescence and inflammaging, including the effects of chronic cytomegalovirus infection; (5) a higher prevalence of comorbidities associated with severe COVID-19 and (6) lower levels of vitamin D. Factors that might protect children include: (1) differences in innate and adaptive immunity; (2) more frequent recurrent and concurrent infections; (3) pre-existing immunity to coronaviruses; (4) differences in microbiota; (5) higher levels of melatonin; (6) protective off-target effects of live vaccines and (7) lower intensity of exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

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Crossref · 10.1136/archdischild-2020-320338

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Metadata

Authors
Zimmermann, P., & Curtis, N.
Venue
Archives of Disease in Childhood
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2020-12-01
Volume
106
Issue
5
Pages
429-439
ISSN
  • 0003-9888 (ISSN-L)
  • 1468-2044
OpenAlex
W3109705195
Cited by
502
References
214
FWCI
12.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
bronze

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Why is COVID-19 less severe in children? A review of the proposed mechanisms underlying the age-related difference in severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.1136/archdischild-2020-320338
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Zimmermann, P., & Curtis, N. (2021). Why is COVID-19 less severe in children? A review of the proposed mechanisms underlying the age-related difference in severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Archives of Disease in Childhood. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2020-320338

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