A literature review of 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) infection in neonates and children

Pediatr Res. 2021 Apr;89(5):1101-1108. doi: 10.1038/s41390-020-1065-5. Epub 2020 Jul 17.

Abstract

At the time of writing, there are already millions of documented infections worldwide by the novel coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCoV or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2)), with hundreds of thousands of deaths. The great majority of fatal events have been recorded in adults older than 70 years; of them, a large proportion had comorbidities. Since data regarding the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics in neonates and children developing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are scarce and originate mainly from one country (China), we reviewed all the current literature from 1 December 2019 to 7 May 2020 to provide useful information about SARS-CoV2 viral biology, epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical features, treatment, prevention, and hospital organization for clinicians dealing with this selected population. IMPACT: Children usually develop a mild form of COVID-19, rarely requiring high-intensity medical treatment in pediatric intensive care unit. Vertical transmission is unlikely, but not completely excluded. Children with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 must be isolated and healthcare workers should wear appropriate protective equipment. Some clinical features (higher incidence of fever, vomiting and diarrhea, and a longer incubation period) are more common in children than in adults, as well as some radiologic aspects (more patchy shadow opacities on CT scan images than ground-glass opacities). Supportive and symptomatic treatments (oxygen therapy and antibiotics for preventing/treating bacterial coinfections) are recommended in these patients.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Distribution
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • COVID-19 / therapy
  • COVID-19 / transmission
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Child
  • Cohort Studies
  • Conservative Treatment
  • Coronaviridae / physiology
  • Facility Design and Construction
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung / virology
  • Oxygen Inhalation Therapy
  • Patient Isolation
  • Renin-Angiotensin System / physiology
  • Respiration, Artificial
  • SARS-CoV-2*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents