Comparison of RT-PCR cycle threshold values from respiratory specimens in symptomatic and asymptomatic children with SARS CoV-2 infection

Background: Understanding viral kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 is important to assess risk of transmission, manage treatment, and determine the need for isolation and protective equipment. Children have been noted to have less severe illness than adults and may have less transmission potential. We sought to determine whether children deemed to be asymptomatic had a difference in the PCR cycle threshold (Ct) value of respiratory samples from symptomatic children with SARS CoV-2 infection.