Gastrointestinal manifestations in pediatric patients with coronavirus disease in Brazil

an integrative review

Abstract

In December 2019, COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) was identified in China, a new disease which became a pandemic in 2020, with SARS-CoV-2 as its etiologic agent (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). The disease usually progresses with respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, dyspnoea, myalgia, headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In addition, progression to severe disease in children has been described, which may be associated with Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome. Purpose: this research aimed to carry out an integrative review of the gastrointestinal manifestations caused by COVID-19, based on the analysis of research conducted in Brazil. Methods: publications made with pediatric population, in Brazilian hospitals, between the months of January and December 2020, were searched through the PubMed and SciELO databases. Results: The final sample consisted of 12 articles. The studies included in our review described as main symptoms diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting, with diarrhea being the most reported; in addition, in some of the case reports presented, gastrointestinal symptoms were presented as the first manifestations of COVID-19. In those studies in which laboratory tests were described, the main alteration found was an increase in transaminases. There was also a report of enteritis as a radiological alteration. Conclusion: Affection by COVID-19 in pediatric patients can present through gastrointestinal symptoms, and these can be the initial manifestation of the disease.