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Springer Nature - PMC COVID-19 Collection logoLink to Springer Nature - PMC COVID-19 Collection
. 2020 Jul 7;57(6):533–535. doi: 10.1007/s13312-020-1851-5

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and the Gastrointestinal System in Children

John Matthai 1,, Naresh Shanmugam 2, Prasanth Sobhan 3; Indian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition; Pediatric Gastroenterology Chapter of Indian Academy of Pediatrics
PMCID: PMC7340748  PMID: 32562397

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), though primarily a respiratory pathogen, also involves the gastrointestinal tract. Similar to the respiratory mucosa, angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptor and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) co-express in the gastrointestinal tract, which facilitates viral entry into the tissue. Less than 10% of children with infection develop diarrhea and vomiting. Prolonged RT PCR positivity in the stool has raised the possibility of feco-oral transmission. Elevated transaminases are common, especially in those with severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Children with inflammatory bowel disease and post liver transplant patients do not have an increased risk of disease, and should remain on medications they are already on. Children with chronic liver disease should continue their medications as usual. All elective procedures like endoscopy should be postponed.

Keywords: Diarrhea, Fecal shedding, Inflammatory bowel disease, Liver transplant, SARSCoV-2

Contributors

JM: as chairman coordinated and edited the paper; NS authored the segment on Liver; PS the segment on intestine. All authors participated in finalizing the paper.

References


Articles from Indian Pediatrics are provided here courtesy of Nature Publishing Group

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