Researchers launch study to determine if biomarkers in saliva can predict kids' ...

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Biomarkers in saliva may be able to determine a child's risk of developing a severe case of COVID-19.

Researchers from Central Michigan University and DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan, have launched a study looking at the spit of minors who contracted with the virus.

They looked for levels of proteins, which help control inflammation in the body once infected, and found that kids with severe cases were higher, while levels of certain RNA molecules were much lower.

The team says that if the findings hold true in a larger study, doctors can use the test on kids diagnosed with COVID-19 right away to determine who will develop a serious infection and treat them before it progresses.