Update on recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2020 Dec;39(12):2211-2223. doi: 10.1007/s10096-020-03973-x. Epub 2020 Aug 6.

Abstract

Since the outbreak of novel coronavirus infection pneumonia in Wuhan City, China, in late 2019, such cases have been gradually reported in other parts of China and abroad. Children have become susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) because of their immature immune function. As the outbreak has progressed, more cases of novel coronavirus infection/pneumonia in children have been reported. Compared with adults, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children is less severe, with a lower incidence and susceptibility in children, which results in fewer children being tested, thereby underestimating the actual number of infections. Therefore, strengthening the diagnosis of the disease is particularly important for children, and early and clear diagnosis can determine treatment strategies and reduce the harm caused by the disease to children. According to the Novel Coronavirus Infection Pneumonia Diagnosis and Treatment Standards (trial version 7) issued by National Health Committee and the latest diagnosis and treatment strategies for novel coronavirus infection pneumonia in children, this review summarizes current strategies on diagnosis and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children.

Keywords: Child; Diagnosis and treatment; New coronavirus; Recommendation; Update.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Monophosphate / analogs & derivatives
  • Adenosine Monophosphate / therapeutic use
  • Alanine / analogs & derivatives
  • Alanine / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Asymptomatic Diseases
  • Betacoronavirus / genetics*
  • Betacoronavirus / pathogenicity
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Child
  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques / methods*
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Coronavirus Infections / therapy*
  • Coronavirus Infections / transmission
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Cough / diagnosis
  • Drug Combinations
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Fever / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Hydroxychloroquine / therapeutic use
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Lopinavir / therapeutic use
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / therapy*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / transmission
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • RNA, Viral / blood*
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use
  • Ritonavir / therapeutic use
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Drug Combinations
  • Interferon-alpha
  • RNA, Viral
  • lopinavir-ritonavir drug combination
  • Lopinavir
  • remdesivir
  • Adenosine Monophosphate
  • Ribavirin
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Ritonavir
  • Alanine