Non-specific oral and cutaneous manifestations of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in children

Bardellini, Elena; Bondioni, Maria Pia; Amadori, Francesca; Veneri, Federica; Lougaris, Vassilios; Meini, Antonella; Plebani, Alessandro; Majorana, Alessandra

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) seems to affect children only marginally, as a result, there is less knowledge of its manifestations in childhood. The purpose of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to investigate the oral and cutaneous manifestations in children affected by COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All the medical records of children with COVID-19 admitted to the Pediatric Clinic- ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia from March to April 2020 were reviewed. The following data were recorded: age, temperature, clinical presentation, oral mucosa lesions, taste alteration and cutaneous lesions. RESULTS: The medical records of twenty-seven pediatric patients (mean age 4,2 years + 1,7) were analyzed. The clinical presentation of the disease mainly included elevated body temperature and cough. The following oral lesions were recorded: oral pseudomembranous candidiasis (7.4 %), geographic tongue (3.7%), coated tongue (7.4 %) and hyperaemic pharynx (37 %). Taste alteration was reported by 3 patients. Six patients presented cutaneous flat papular lesions. CONCLUSIONS: As for our paediatric sample, COVID-19 resulted to be associated with non-specific oral and cutaneous manifestations. Key words:Child, COVID-19, oral mucosa, taste.