SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence of Surinamese Children and Determinants of Seropositivity in the CCREOH/MeKiTamara Cohort

Background/Objectives: The main goal of this study is to identify predictors associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seropositivity in children, including demographics, history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection of the child and the household members, prevention practices, and maternal vaccination. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study within the Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health (CCREOH)/MeKiTamara cohort included 300 mother-child dyads recruited in Paramaribo and Nickerie, Suriname (February–April 2023). The total immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-spike domain 1 (S1) and anti-nucleoprotein (NP) were quantified in dried blood spot (DBS) eluates from children using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Demographic information, COVID-19 prevention measures, history of viral infection of the child and the household members, and COVID-19 vaccination questionnaire data were recorded. Predictors of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence were determined using binary logistic regression. Results: Among 278 seropositive children in 2023, 73.4% were in the 5–6-year-old age group, 54.7% were female, 36.3% were of Asian descent, and 69.8% were recruited in Paramaribo. Seroprevalence increased from 33.8% in 2021–2022 to 93.3% in 2023, with a mean follow-up of 21.5 months. Of the 100 children previously tested by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or antigen test, 25 had confirmed COVID-19, as reported by mothers. Children from unvaccinated mothers were 6.11 times more likely to be seropositive (p = 0.022). Conclusions: This study shows a significant increase in SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in Surinamese children aged 3–6 years between collection periods, indicating multiple exposures. Future public health interventions and policies should account for maternal vaccination status to reduce children’s exposure to COVID-19 during future outbreaks.