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Gastrointestinal involvement in children with SARS-COV-2 infection: an overview for the pediatrician
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  • Elena Chiappini,
  • Amelia Licari,
  • Marco Motisi,
  • Sara Manti,
  • Gian Luigi Marseglia,
  • Luisa Galli,
  • Paolo Lionetti
Elena Chiappini
University of Florence, Meyer Children's Hospital

Corresponding Author:elena.chiappini@unifi.it

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Amelia Licari
Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo
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Marco Motisi
University of Florence
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Sara Manti
UOC Genetics and Immunology Paediatrics
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Gian Luigi Marseglia
Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo
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Luisa Galli
University of Florence
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Paolo Lionetti
University of Florence
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Abstract

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 both in 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, have 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.
24 Aug 2020Submitted to Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
24 Aug 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
24 Aug 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
01 Sep 20201st Revision Received
02 Sep 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
03 Sep 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
06 Sep 20202nd Revision Received
07 Sep 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Sep 2020Editorial Decision: Accept