Coronavirus disease 2019 in children: Current status

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Virology

Background:

• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, rapidly became a global health emergency.
• Pediatric cases of COVID-19 have been reported, with varying severity compared to adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize the clinical presentation and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in infants and children.
• To analyze documented cases of neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection and discuss potential transmission routes.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of published literature and online reports concerning SARS-CoV-2 in individuals under 20 years old.
• Compilation of data on critically ill children and neonatal infections.
• Inclusion of data from Taiwan Centers for Disease Control on pediatric COVID-19 cases.

Main Results:

• COVID-19 symptoms in children are generally less severe than in adults.
• Twelve critically or mortally ill children were identified in reports before April 6, 2020.
• Evidence suggests neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infections (early and late onset) occur, though vertical transmission is not definitively proven.

Conclusions:

• Early identification, isolation, and management are critical for controlling pediatric COVID-19 spread.
• Healthcare providers must be aware of asymptomatic pediatric cases.
• Further multidirectional investigations are essential for global COVID-19 control.