Children have similar RT-PCR cycle threshold for SARS-CoV-2 in comparison with adults

The viral dynamics and the role of children in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 are not completely understood. Our aim was to evaluate RT-PCR Ct values among children with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 compared with that of adult subjects.Patients (aged from 2 months to ≤18 years, and adults) with signs and symptoms of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection for less than 7 days, were prospectively enrolled in the study from May to November 2020. All participants performed RT-PCR assay for SARS-CoV-2 detection; Ct values of ORF1ab, N, and S gene-targets, and the average of all the three probes were used as surrogates of viral load.There were 21 infants, 62 children and 293 adults of 376 participants with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections. RT-PCR Ct values of children under 18 were not significantly different from that of adults after adjusting for days of illness, as observed by the analyzed probes (namely ORF1ab, N, and S), and by the mean of all 3 gene-targets.Ct values for children were comparable to that of adults. Days of illness are a major confounder for SARS-CoV-2 viral load and must be adjusted in any comparison. Although viral load is not the only determinant of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, children may play a significant role in the spread of in the community.