COVID-19 Seroepidemiology in Children Using Retrieved POPCORN site Leftover Samples (CURNLS)

The study proposes to conduct repeated cross-sectional seroprevalence studies testing for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, including nucleocapsid (N, specific for infection, since only spike-encoding mRNA vaccines are currently approved for use in children), spike (S, indicating infection and/or vaccination), and receptor-binding domain (RBD, indicating neutralizing activity and protection from infection and/or vaccination) on a large number of children visiting Emergency Departments (ED) across Canada. This study aims to understand the current state of natural and vaccine-based COVID-19 immunity. The specific aims this project will address include: * Establish a structure that will allow ongoing use of residual blood samples to determine seroprevalence for infectious diseases and assess population-level exposure and immunity. * Determine the temporal association between the proportion of seropositivity to SARS-CoV-2 antigens (N, S, RBD) and public health measures by age and regions in Canada at baseline. * Evaluate the association between serologic measures and temporal trends of viral transmission, vaccination rates, and severe outcomes in children. The project’s primary objective is to determine, at baseline, the proportion of children with positive IgG against N and S by age and geographic region over time as an estimate of infection.

Overview

Acronym
POPCORN-CURNLS
Investigators
Dr. Fiona Muttalib
BC Children's Hospital
Dr. Srin Murthy
BC Children's Hospital
Dr. Stephen Freedman
University of Calgary
Dr. Gita Wahi
McMaster University Children’s Hospital
Dr. Aaron Campigotto
The Hospital for Sick Children
Dr. Michelle Science
The Hospital for Sick Children
Dr. Jesse Papenburg
Montreal Children’s Hospital
Dr. Bruce Wright
Stollery Children’s Hospital
Dr. Ahmed Mater
Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital
Dr. Rishi Ganesan
Children's Hospital London Health Sciences Centre
Dr. Maala Bhatt
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
Dr. Jennifer Foster
IWK Health Centre
Dr. Archna Shah
Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre
Dr. Anupam Sehgal
Kingston Health Sciences Centre
Dr. Marc-André Dugas
CHU de Quebec l‘Universite de Laval
Dr. Caroline Quach
CHU Sainte Justine
Contacts
Pediatric Outcome imProvement through COordination of Research Networks

General Design

Study design
Cross-sectional
Start - End Year
2023 - 2024
General Information on Follow Up (profile, frequency)
The collection of the residual blood samples is to be completed between 2023 and December 2024.
Recruitment Target
  • Individuals
Number of Participants
18,000
Number of Participants with Biological Samples
18,000
Supplementary information about number of participants
This project originally aimed to collect 36,000 residual blood samples. However, due to changes in epidemiology and relevance, sample collection was prematurely halted in May 2024 with a new target of 18,000 samples.
Supplementary Information
Baseline Sample Collection: Each site locally maintain a database/spreadsheet system to record the data from each sample collected. Analyzed Sample Data Collection: Each site inputs all data and analysis results into a centralized REDCap database housed at the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI) at the University of Alberta.

Access

Availability of data and biosamples

Possible Access to Data
Possible Access to Biosamples
Other

Timeline

Population

POPCORN-CURNLS population
The population is composed of children 17 years old and younger who have presented themselves to a POPCORN site emergency department (ED) and are getting standard of care bloodwork.

Selection Criteria

Maximum age
17
Countries
  • Canada
Canadian Provinces
  • Alberta
  • British Columbia
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Nova Scotia
  • Ontario
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan
Other Criteria
Inclusion Criteria * Minimum of 0.15 ml residual blood (serum and/or plasma) sample from a standard of care (SOC) blood draw should be available for use.

Sources of Recruitment

Specific Population
  • Other specific population : ED Patients
Supplementary Information
Residual blood samples collected from children visiting POPCORN EDs across Canada.

Sample Size

Number of Participants
18,000
Number of Participants with Biological Samples
18,000

Data Collection Events

# Name Data sources Data sources - Biosamples Start End
0 POPCORN-CURNLS - Baseline
  • Biosamples
  • Administrative databases
  • Other : Medical records
  • Blood
2023 2024 (May)
1 POPCORN-CURNLS - Sample analysis
  • Biosamples
  • Administrative databases
  • Other : Medical records
  • Blood
2023 2024 (December)

Participating Studies

Acronym Name Study design Countries

Harmonization Initiatives Included

Acronym Name

Datasets

Name Data Collection Events Variables

Areas of Information Collected

Socio-demographic and economic characteristics
Death
Lifestyle and behaviours
Physical measures and assessments
Birth, pregnancy and reproductive health history
Laboratory measures
Perception of health, quality of life, development and functional limitations
Cognition, personality and psychological measures and assessments
Diseases
Life events, life plans, beliefs and values
Symptoms and signs
Preschool, school and work life
Medication and supplements
Social environment and relationships
Non-pharmacological interventions
Physical environment
Health and community care services utilization
Administrative information

Variables Content Summary

Areas of Information Collected
No Areas of Information Collected
No Scales Collected
Areas of Information Collected per per Population and Data Collection Event
No Areas of Information Collected
No Scales Collected

Networks

Acronym Name Harmonization Initiatives Individual Studies
Last Update: 2025-07-21T11:21:54.624