Characteristics of pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection and potential evidence for persistent fecal viral shedding

Abstract

We report epidemiological and clinical investigations on ten pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection cases confirmed by realtime reverse transcription PCR assay of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Symptoms in these cases were nonspecific and no children required respiratory support or intensive care. Chest X-rays lacked definite signs of pneumonia, a defining feature of the infection in adult cases. Notably, eight children persistently tested positive on rectal swabs even after nasopharyngeal testing was negative, raising the possibility of fecal–oral transmission.