Project 2A

Efectos gastrointestinales de la COVID-19 en niños

La población pediátrica con infección documentada por SARS-CoV-2, presenta un mayor riesgo de desarrollar síntomas y trastornos gastrointestinales, destacando el dolor abdominal como el más común.

La COVID-19 persistente no solo impacta a los adultos, sino también a la población pediátrica, que a menudo presenta síntomas más leves o es asintomática. Es necesario realizar más investigaciones para entender sus efectos, ya que esta enfermedad puede afectar diversos sistemas, incluido el gastrointestinal. En adultos, se han registrado un aumento de síntomas y trastornos gastrointestinales como dolor abdominal, diarrea, estreñimiento, vómitos, síndrome del intestino irritable (SII) y enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico (ERGE) tras la infección por SARS-CoV-2. Sin embargo, los efectos en niños y adolescentes aún no están claros.

Este estudio, liderado por investigadores de la Universidad de Pensilvania en EE. UU., examinó los riesgos de síntomas y trastornos gastrointestinales en la población pediátrica durante las fases posaguda (28 a 179 días tras la infección) y crónica (180 a 729 días tras la infección) de la patología.

Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo en 29 hospitales de EE. UU. que incluyó a 1.576.933 pacientes pediátricos, con una edad promedio de 7,3 años (52% varones) y al menos 6 meses de seguimiento. De ellos, 413.455 habían sido diagnosticados con SARS-CoV-2, mientras que 1.163.478 no.

La infección por SARS-CoV-2 se confirmó a través de pruebas PCR, serológicas, de antígenos y códigos de diagnóstico que se usaronn para identificar los síntomas y trastornos gastrointestinales durante las fases posaguda y crónica tras la infección.

Los pacientes con infección documentada por SARS-CoV-2 presentaron un mayor riesgo de desarrollar al menos un síntoma o trastorno gastrointestinal en comparación con aquellos sin la afección. En la fase posaguda, el riesgo fue del 8,64% frente al 6,85%, mientras que en la crónica fue del 12,60% frente al 9,47%. Específicamente, el riesgo de dolor abdominal fue más alto entre los pacientes positivos para COVID-19 durante la fase posaguda (2,54% frente a 2,06%) y la crónica (4,57% frente a 3,40%).

En conclusión, los niños y adolescentes con infección documentada por SARS-CoV-2 presentan un mayor riesgo de desarrollar síntomas y trastornos gastrointestinales en las fases posaguda y crónica. Por lo tanto, los médicos deben considerar que los problemas gastrointestinales persistentes pueden ser más frecuentes en niños que han tenido COVID-19 en comparación con aquellos sin infección documentada.

Gastrointestinal effects of COVID-19 in children

The pediatric population with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection is at a higher risk of developing gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders, with abdominal pain being the most common.

Persistent COVID-19 not only impacts adults but also the pediatric population, which often presents with milder symptoms or is asymptomatic. More research is needed to understand its effects, as this disease can affect various systems, including the gastrointestinal system. In adults, an increase in symptoms and gastrointestinal disorders such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been recorded following SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the effects on children and adolescents are still unclear.

This study, led by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania in the U.S., examined the risks of gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders in the pediatric population during the post-acute (28 to 179 days after infection) and chronic (180 to 729 days after infection) phases of the pathology.

A retrospective analysis was conducted in 29 U.S. hospitals that included 1,576,933 pediatric patients, with an average age of 7.3 years (52% male) and at least 6 months of follow-up. Of them, 413,455 had been diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2, while 1,163,478 had not.

The infection by SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed through PCR, serological, antigen tests, and diagnostic codes used to identify symptoms and gastrointestinal disorders during the post-acute and chronic phases following the infection.

Patients with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection had a higher risk of developing at least one gastrointestinal symptom or disorder compared to those without the condition. In the post-acute phase, the risk was 8.64% compared to 6.85%, while in the chronic phase it was 12.60% compared to 9.47%. Specifically, the risk of abdominal pain was higher among COVID-19 positive patients during the post-acute phase (2.54% vs. 2.06%) and the chronic phase (4.57% vs. 3.40%).

In conclusion, children and adolescents with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection are at a higher risk of developing gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders in the post-acute and chronic phases. Therefore, doctors should consider that persistent gastrointestinal problems may be more frequent in children who have had COVID-19 compared to those without documented infection.

Gastrointestinal Effects of COVID-19 in Children

The pediatric population with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection is at a higher risk of developing gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders, with abdominal pain being the most common.

Persistent COVID-19 not only affects adults but also the pediatric population, which often presents with milder symptoms or remains asymptomatic. Further research is needed to understand its effects, as this disease can impact various systems, including the gastrointestinal system. In adults, an increase in gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been recorded following SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the effects on children and adolescents remain unclear.

This study, led by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania in the U.S., examined the risks of gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders in the pediatric population during the post-acute phase (28 to 179 days after infection) and chronic phase (180 to 729 days after infection) of the disease.

A retrospective analysis was conducted in 29 U.S. hospitals, including 1,576,933 pediatric patients, with an average age of 7.3 years (52% male) and at least six months of follow-up. Among them, 413,455 had been diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2, while 1,163,478 had not.

SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed through PCR, serological, and antigen tests, as well as diagnostic codes used to identify gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders during the post-acute and chronic phases following infection.

Patients with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection had a higher risk of developing at least one gastrointestinal symptom or disorder compared to those without the condition. In the post-acute phase, the risk was 8.64% compared to 6.85%, while in the chronic phase, it was 12.60% compared to 9.47%. Specifically, the risk of abdominal pain was higher among COVID-19-positive patients during the post-acute phase (2.54% vs. 2.06%) and the chronic phase (4.57% vs. 3.40%).

In conclusion, children and adolescents with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection are at an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders in the post-acute and chronic phases. Therefore, physicians should consider that persistent gastrointestinal issues may be more common in children who have had COVID-19 compared to those without a documented infection.