Factors Associated With Severe Gastrointestinal Diagnoses in Children With SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome

Abstract

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is one of the target organs affected by SARS-CoV-2. The colocalization of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and the proteaselike transmembrane serine protease 2, essential receptors for SARS-CoV-2 cell binding and internalization, has been noted in the human GI tract.^1,2 The presence of isolated GI symptoms in some patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as the prolonged fecal shedding reported in neonates and children, supports the hypothesis of a fecal-oral transmission of SARS-CoV-2.³