We do not encourage testing for COVID-19 antibodies for children unless they exhibit signs of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) or are hospitalized with symptoms that are consistent with a COVID-19 infection. However, we will accommodate requests for antibody testing if it will alleviate parental anxiety, but it is important to understand that the information does not have practical import. We do not know the implications of a positive result on the likelihood that a child can become infected again. Precautions such as social distancing, mask wearing in public and hand hygiene should still be practiced regardless of antibody status.If you decide to proceed with antibody testing, send us a request through Klara and include an email address to which we should send the prescription. Once you have received the lab order via email, schedule an appointment for the blood draw through NYU labs, Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp. We are only offering testing through these laboratories at this time as we can verify that these tests are reliable and accurate.
NYU Labs
Phone: 646-987-3527
Locations are available at NYU Tisch Hospital in Manhattan, NYU Langone Hospital – Brooklyn and NYU Winthrop Hospital
LabCorp
Quest Diagnostics
https://www.questdiagnostics.com
We will notify you of your child’s results through Klara. If you do not hear from us within 4 days of obtaining testing, please reach out to us.If you still have questions, please feel free to reach out, and we are happy to discuss this further.
Interpretation of a Negative COVID-19 Antibody Test Result
Your child tested negative for antibodies to the novel coronavirus. This likely means your child has not been exposed to the virus. However, this test does not rule out a recent or current infection as it typically takes 1–3 weeks after infection to develop antibodies. If your child is well without current symptoms, no further follow-up is needed at this time. Precautions including social distancing, mask wearing and hand hygiene should continue to be practiced.
Interpretation of a Positive COVID-19 Antibody Test Result
Your child tested positive for antibodies to the novel coronavirus. This means your child was previously exposed to the infection, though (s)he may not have shown any symptoms at the time. We do not yet know whether having antibodies protects someone from getting reinfected again or, if there is immunity, how long this protection lasts.If your child has no symptoms, it is unlikely (s)he has an active infection and no further follow-up is needed. Precautions to avoid spread of the virus or reinfection including social distancing, mask wearing and hand hygiene should continue to be practiced.
