About COVID-Kids
In response to the observed higher burden of severe COVID-19 cases among children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), we initiated this hospital-based cohort study. Our aim is to comprehensively characterize the clinical manifestations, immunological responses, transmission dynamics, and respiratory outcomes of COVID-19 in pediatric populations residing in LMICs.
In addition to the routine collection of clinical data for pediatric COVID-19 cases at Tygerberg Hospital, South Africa, we prospectively enroll children for more extensive data collection and sampling. This approach allows us to enhance our understanding of the pediatric immune response to COVID-19 in LMIC settings and evaluate the impact of the disease on lung health.
The team attending an ESPID conference
Principal investigators and primary affiliations
Dr. Marieke van der Zalm (Stellenbosch University, South Africa)
Prof. Helena Rabie (Stellenbosch University, South Africa)
Dr. Andrew Redfern (Stellenbosch University, South Africa)
Dr. Lilly Verhagen (Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands & Stellenbosch University, South Africa)
Other project members
Drs. Geert van Weelden (PhD student, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands)
Prof. Marien de Jonge (Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands)
Christa van der Gaast (Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands)
Drs. Isabelle Dewandel (az West, Veurne, Belgium)
Dr. Daniele Dona (University of Padua, Italy)
Stellenbosch University co-investigators
Prof. Novel Chegou
Prof. Pierre Goussard
Prof. Gert van Zyl
Prof. Wolfgang Preiser
Drs. Carien Bekker
Drs. Mathilda Claassen
Drs. Mikhail Barday
Drs. Liezl Smit
Drs. Juanita Lishman
Drs. Minette Mare
Rory Dunbar
Margaret van Niekerk
Marilyn Mentor
Asanda Mfazwe
Carla Mckenzie
Related publications
- A Redfern, MM van der Zalm, J Lishman, P Goussard, L Smit, R Dagan, M Barday, M Mare, M Claassen, G van Zyl, H Rabie, LM Verhagen. Clinical presentation and outcome of acute respiratory illnesses in South African children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2023;42:672-8.
- C Bekker, MM van der Zalm, A Redfern, I Dewandel, C Mckenzie, P Goussard, H Rabie, W Preiser, LM Verhagen, J Lishman, S Wilson, G van Zyl, C Bosch, R Dunbar, M Claassen. Clinical spectrum of disease and outcomes in children with Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection in Cape Town, South Africa. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis Accepted.
- L Smit, A Redfern, S Murray, J Lishman, MM van der Zalm, G van Zyl, LM Verhagen, C de Vos, H Rabie, A Dyk, M Claassen, J Taljaard, M Aucamp, A Dramowski. SARS-CoV-2 in hospitalized children and caregivers: implications for paediatric testing strategies. African Journal of Emergency Medicine 2022;12:177-182.
- MM van der Zalm, J Lishman, LM Verhagen, A Redfern, L Smit, M Barday, D Ruttens, A da Costa, S van Jaarsveld, J Itana, N Schrueder, M van Schalkwyk, N Parker, I Appel, B Fourie, M Claassen, JJ Workman, P Goussard, G van Zyl, H Rabie. Clinical experience with SARS CoV-2 related illness in children – hospital experience in Cape Town, South Africa. Clin Infect Dis 2021;72:e938-44.
- P Goussard, RS Solomons, S Andronikou, L Mfingwana, LM Verhagen, H Rabie. COVID-19 in a child with tuberculous airway compression. Pediatric Pulmonol 2020;55:2201-3.
- LM Verhagen, R de Groot, CA Lawrence, J Taljaard, MF Cotton, H Rabie. COVID-19 response in low- and middle-income countries: don’t overlook the role of mobile phone communication. Int J Infect Dis 2020;99:334-7.
Project funding
