Characteristics of pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection and potential evidence for persistent fecal viral shedding.

Xu, Yi; Li, Xufang; Zhu, Bing; Liang, Huiying; Fang, Chunxiao; Gong, Yu; Guo, Qiaozhi; Sun, Xin et al. · Nat Med · 2020

case_series · Level IV

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Abstract

We report epidemiological and clinical investigations on ten pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection cases confirmed by real-time reverse transcription PCR assay of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Symptoms in these cases were nonspecific and no children required respiratory support or intensive care. Chest X-rays lacked definite signs of pneumonia, a defining feature of the infection in adult cases. Notably, eight children persistently tested positive on rectal swabs even after nasopharyngeal testing was negative, raising the possibility of fecal-oral transmission.

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