In the coming months, Western Australian children will be used in two new research projects to test how COVID-19 impacts kids.
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The first project will test the prevalence of the virus in asymptomatic children by analysing blood samples collected from 800 kids.
The research conducted by Perth Children's Hospital (PCH) between June and December 2020, will test random blood samples to see whether SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, which causes COVID-19 in children, are present.
The second project will screen patients ahead of their ear, nose or throat surgery at PCH over a nine-month period, with an anticipated 300 children due to be screened.
Perth Children's Hospital Foundation chief executive Carrick Robinson said the research would give WA the information required to better understand COVID-19 infection in children.
"We need to know where we are right now, to map out where we should go next," he said.
"With the focus on adult illness and deaths, it is important that paediatricians continue to advocate for world-class research that helps understand the disease for children as well."
This research will complement the McGowan government's DETECT project, which is currently scanning the WA school community for possible undetected COVID-19 cases.
