Update on SARS-CoV-2 infection in children.

Martins, Marlos Melo; Prata-Barbosa, Arnaldo; da Cunha, Antônio José Ledo Alves

Despite the worldwide spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19), knowledge of the different clinical presentations, ways of transmission, severity and prognosis in children and adolescents is limited. An increasing number of reports describe some of these characteristics in this age range. A non-systematic review was undertaken using MEDLINE (PubMed), LILACS (VHL), Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane and CAPES Portal databases from 1 January until 30 September 2020 [103] with the search terms SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, child, children, youth, adolescent and newborn to identify the more recent clinical aspects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. In general, SARS-CoV-2 infection in children tends to be asymptomatic or to have mild or moderate signs, and most young ones are infected by family members. Recent reports offer new insights into the disease. Current evidence on SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents is presented, especially concerning the clinical presentation, imaging and uncommon severe forms of the disease, particularly the COVID-19-associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome. The impact of COVID-19 infection in the perinatal period is described in detail. Knowledge of the various clinical presentations of SARS-CoV-2 in children and adolescents allows the paediatrician to diagnose earlier, monitor warnings signs, implement treatment and, especially, establish preventive measures. Abbreviations : ACE-2, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; ARDS, acute respiratory distress syndrome; ARF, acute rheumatic fever; CAA, coronary artery aneurysms; CK-MB, creatine kinase-MB; COVID-19, coronavirus disease-2019; HLA, specific human leucocyte antigen; IPC, infection prevention and control; IVIG, intravenous immunoglobulin; KD, Kawasaki disease; MIS-C, COVID-19-associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome; RNA, ribonucleic acid; RT-PCR, reserve transcription-polymerase chain reaction; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2; TCT, thoracic computed tomography; TSS, toxic shock syndrome; WHO, World Health Organization.