Non-specific oral and cutaneous manifestations of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in children

Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2021 Sep 1;26(5):e549-e553. doi: 10.4317/medoral.24461.

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) seems to affect children only marginally, as a result, there is less knowledge of its manifestations in childhood. The purpose of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to investigate the oral and cutaneous manifestations in children affected by COVID-19.

Material and methods: All the medical records of children with COVID-19 admitted to the Pediatric Clinic- ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia from March to April 2020 were reviewed. The following data were recorded: age, temperature, clinical presentation, oral mucosa lesions, taste alteration and cutaneous lesions.

Results: The medical records of twenty-seven pediatric patients (mean age 4,2 years + 1,7) were analyzed. The clinical presentation of the disease mainly included elevated body temperature and cough. The following oral lesions were recorded: oral pseudomembranous candidiasis (7.4 %), geographic tongue (3.7%), coated tongue (7.4 %) and hyperaemic pharynx (37 %). Taste alteration was reported by 3 patients. Six patients presented cutaneous flat papular lesions.

Conclusions: As for our paediatric sample, COVID-19 resulted to be associated with non-specific oral and cutaneous manifestations.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Candidiasis, Oral*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Retrospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2