COVID-19 Infection in Children

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus–2 (SARS-CoV-2), and subsequent disease (COVID-19), has established itself as the first worldwide pandemic of the 21st century. Researchers’ efforts have turned to unraveling the mysteries of this new disease. Despite these endeavors, the effect of SARS-CoV-2 in children has been elusive. Initially, it was thought that children experience asymptomatic or mild disease; however, severe complications of COVID-19 (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children) and associated complications with the COVID-19 vaccine, albeit rare (myocarditis), have emerged. Emergency use authorization for non–FDA-approved therapies specific to children for prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19 has been forthcoming.