CORONAVIRUS INFECTION SARS-COV-2 IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Coronavirus disease has become an extremely relevant problem due to its pandemic over the world. SARS was called atypical pneumonia because of the similarity in clinical symptoms to already known atypical pneumonias. The new respiratory disease is called coronavirus disease 2019 ‒ COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019). It is caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The main risk group is presented mainly by older population, but experts have begun to note that there is a tendency toward growing number of cases among children. The aim of this study is to analyze the data of the latest relevant literature on SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection in children. The methodology of this study included the systemic and content analysis of available scientific sources devoted to SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection in children. An analysis of the literature has shown the average age of sick children is 10.1 years and 6.9 % of them have positive results of antibody test. Half of the children report no symptoms, but those who complain most often have fever (21 %), gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain (13 %), and headache (12 %). The literature contains data on 8 children with COVID-19 with symptoms of atypical appendicitis with a rapid worsening of the condition requiring hospitalization. A clinical example of our own practice has been presented, and it is somewhat different from the commonly described cases characterized by enterocolitis as a component of the course of coronavirus disease in children. Conclusions. Given the current difficult situation in Ukraine, doctors when examining the young patients with gastrointestinal syndrome should test them for COVID-19 in order to make correct diagnosis and then to choose the right management based on the diagnosis that may require isolation measures to prevent spreading the infection and following the COVID-19 clinical protocol. Healthcare workers should raise awareness among the public about coronavirus vaccination to combat the pandemic.