Hoehl, S.S.HoehlSchneider, F.F.SchneiderEckrich, M.M.EckrichGründler, T.O.T.O.GründlerJerkic, P.S.P.S.JerkicLichtenstein, G.G.LichtensteinMelcher, B.B.MelcherMelcher, H.H.MelcherMoebus, R.R.MoebusMühlfeld, B.B.MühlfeldRieger, I.I.RiegerSeger-Fritz, B.B.Seger-FritzSgoll, S.S.SgollWalter, C.C.WalterWerner, S.S.WernerHerrmann, E.E.HerrmannBerger, A.A.BergerCiesek, S.S.Ciesek2022-03-062022-03-062021https://publica.fraunhofer.de/handle/publica/27054210.1111/apa.161012-s2.0-85115167759Aim. It can be challenging to distinguish COVID-19 in children from other common infections. We set out to determine the rate at which children consulting a primary care paediatrician with an acute infection are infected with SARS-CoV-2 and to compare distinct findings. Method. In seven out-patient clinics, children aged 0-13 years with any new respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms and presumed infection were invited to be tested for SARS-CoV-2. Factors that were correlated with testing positive were determined. Samples were collected from 25 January 2021 to 01 April 2021. Results. Seven hundred and eighty-three children participated in the study (median age 3 years and 0 months, range 1 month to 12 years and 11 months). Three hundred and fifty-eight were female (45.7%). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 19 (2.4%). The most common symptoms in children with as well as without detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA were rhinitis, fever and cough. Known recent exposure to a case of COVID-19 was significantly correlated with testing positive, but symptoms or clinical findings were not. Conclusion. COVID-19 among the children with symptoms of an acute infection was uncommon, and the clinical presentation did not differ significantly between children with and without evidence of an infection with SARS-CoV-2.en540571572journal article