A child infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 presenting with diarrhea without fever and cough: A case report

Liu, Qian; Zhang, Yong; Long, Yuan

RATIONALE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), now a global pandemic, has spread to a large number of countries around the world. Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, and pneumonia. Some cases even remain asymptomatic. Data regarding the epidemiological and clinical features of children with COVID-19 are limited. Symptoms in children are thought to be atypical when compared with adults. As a result, diagnosis in many children is likely to be missed. Children presenting with atypical symptoms, especially those with a history of exposure, should be referred to early screening. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 23-month-old boy presented with a 2-day history of diarrhea. Chest computed tomography scan showed pneumonia. After admission to the hospital, the patient exhibited no diarrhea or other symptoms. Positive presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19, was confirmed by 5 consecutive rounds of nucleic acid amplification testing of nasopharyngeal swabs. The patient was also found to have liver damage. DIAGNOSIS: Swabs were obtained for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by established methods. INTERVENTIONS: Chinese traditional medicine prescription OUTCOMES: Following treatment, signs of pneumonia on computed tomography scans were observed to be partially absorbed, and 2 consecutive rounds of nucleic acid amplification testing of swab samples were negative. The patient was discharged on the 21st day after admission to the hospital. On the 21st day after discharge, the patient had no recurrence of disease, no recurrence of pulmonary lesions, and normal liver function. CONCLUSION: This case study suggests that diarrhea not explained by common causes, such as acute gastroenteritis, could be a preliminary symptom of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. Despite the lack of the presence of a fever or cough, lung pulmonary lesions were present in this child. SARS-CoV-2 infection may also cause hepatic injury. Even during the SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia recovery period, IgM and IgG antibodies can be positive for a long time.