From SARS to COVID-19: What we have learned about children infected with COVID-19

• Published in: International Journal of Infectious Diseases
• Main Authors: Meng-Yao Zhou, Xiao-Li Xie, Yong-Gang Peng, Meng-Jun Wu, Xiao-Zhi Deng, Ying Wu, Li-Jing Xiong, Li-Hong Shang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2020-07-01
• Subjects: Coronavirus; SARS; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; 2019-nCoV; Children
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S120197122030309X

Introduction: Coronaviruses, both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, first appeared in China. They have certain biological, epidemiological and pathological similarities. To date, research has shown that their genes exhibit 79% of identical sequences and the receptor-binding domain structure is also very similar. There has been extensive research performed on SARS; however, the understanding of the pathophysiological impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still limited. Methods: This review drew upon the lessons learnt from SARS, in terms of epidemiology, clinical characteristics and pathogenesis, to further understand the features of COVID-19. Results: By comparing these two diseases, it found that COVID-19 has quicker and wider transmission, obvious family agglomeration, and higher morbidity and mortality. Newborns, asymptomatic children and normal chest imaging cases emerged in COVID-19 literature. Children starting with gastrointestinal symptoms may progress to severe conditions and newborns whose mothers are infected with COVID-19 could have severe complications. The laboratory test data showed that the percentage of neutrophils and the level of LDH is higher, and the number of CD4+ and CD8+T-cells is decreased in children's COVID-19 cases. Conclusion: Based on these early observations, as pediatricians, this review put forward some thoughts on children's COVID-19 and gave some recommendations to contain the disease.