Gastrointestinal Tract Disorders in COVID-19 Infected Children

Abstract

Objective of the work was to investigate the peculiarities of gastrointestinal tract disorders in children with coronavirus disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Materials and methods. We have analyzed the frequency, terms of emergence, duration and character of gastrointestinal disorders on the basis of medical records of 36 children receiving the treatment for community-acquired pneumonia of coronavirus etiology (positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus) in the children’s infectious disease department of Moscow State Clinical Hospital, Mytishchi. The majority of patients had moderate form of the disease (97 %), severe cases were not registered. The age range of the children – 8 months to17 years old. All patients were subjected to supplementary examination on Day 1 in accordance with the current recommendations. Children were treated in hospital settings for 8–15 days. Assessment of clinical status was performed at least once a day over the stated period, supplementary survey – at least once in a week, upon indications – more frequently. SARSCoV-2 virus was identified using polymerase chain reaction. All patients received standard therapy in compliance with advanced methodological recommendations, upon indications – other pharmaceutical products.

Results and discussion. Gastro-intestinal disorders in 23 children (64 %) emerged on Day 4–5, in 8 children (22 %) – before the start of the treatment; they lasted 3–5 days. In most of the patients diarrhea (64 %) and stomachaches (57 %) were observed. 67 % of the children demonstrated other symptoms indicative of gastrointestinal dysfunction. The disorders were characteristic for most of the children hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. The symptoms are contained when the main course of therapy is conducted, indicated for treatment of COVID-19, and additional therapy recommended for management of gastro-intestinal infections is performed.