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Gastrointestinal involvement in children with SARS‐COV‐2 infection: An overview for the pediatrician
Author(s) -
Chiappini Elena,
Licari Amelia,
Motisi Marco Antonio,
Manti Sara,
Marseglia Gian Luigi,
Galli Luisa,
Lionetti Paolo
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
pediatric allergy and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.269
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1399-3038
pISSN - 0905-6157
DOI - 10.1111/pai.13373
Subject(s) - medicine , asymptomatic , feces , diarrhea , vomiting , gastrointestinal tract , transmission (telecommunications) , viral shedding , respiratory system , disease , pediatrics , gastrointestinal disease , immunology , gastroenterology , virus , electrical engineering , biology , engineering , paleontology
Gastrointestinal symptoms are common findings in children with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Diarrhea and vomiting have been reported in about 8%‐9% of cases, reaching more than 20% in some studies. Children with gastrointestinal involvement appear to be younger than those without, but the severity of the disease seems to be similar between the two groups of subjects. Fecal shedding in children has been reported in 20%‐30% of children and has been observed in both those with and those without overt gastrointestinal involvement. Moreover, prolonged fecal elimination, lasting several days after negativization of real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay on respiratory swabs, has been reported with variable frequency in children with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. These observations raise the question regarding the possibility of oral‐fecal transmission and the possible role of children in spreading the infection, particularly when they appear asymptomatic or with gastrointestinal symptoms but with no respiratory involvement, as well as during their convalescent phase.