The Pediatric infectious disease journal
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Jun 2020
ReviewCOVID-19 in Children, Pregnancy and Neonates: A Review of Epidemiologic and Clinical Features.
The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has spread rapidly across the globe. In contrast to initial reports, recent studies suggest that children are just as likely as adults to become infected with the virus but have fewer symptoms and less severe disease. In this review, we summarize the epidemiologic and clinical features of children infected with SARS-CoV-2 reported in pediatric case series to date. ⋯ Thirty-seven percent of women delivered preterm. Neonatal complications included respiratory distress or pneumonia (18%), disseminated intravascular coagulation (3%), asphyxia (2%) and 2 perinatal deaths. Four neonates (3 with pneumonia) have been reported to be SARS-CoV-2 positive despite strict infection control and prevention procedures during delivery and separation of mother and neonates, meaning vertical transmission could not be excluded.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Jun 2020
Epidemic and Inter-epidemic Burden of Pediatric Human Parechovirus Infection in New South Wales, Australia, 2017-2018.
Human parechovirus (HPeV) typically infects young children, and although infection is often asymptomatic, some types (eg, HPeV3) are associated with severe clinical manifestations, including central nervous system infection or sepsis-like syndrome, particularly affecting young infants. The third documented national epidemic of HPeV occurred in Australia in 2017-2018. ⋯ The large burden of HPeV infection and disease identified in young infants in this and previous Australian studies highlight the need for more comprehensive national surveillance of HPeV infections and improved prevention strategies.