Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection in Children.
10.14776/piv.2015.22.3.143
- Author:
Hyunju LEE
1
;
Mi Seon HAN
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea. hyunjulee@snubh.org
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus;
MERS-CoV;
Korea;
Outbreak;
Children
- MeSH:
Adult;
Child*;
Comorbidity;
Coronavirus Infections*;
Coronavirus*;
Disease Outbreaks;
Humans;
Incidence;
Korea;
Male;
Middle East*;
Mortality;
Pneumonia;
Republic of Korea
- From:Pediatric Infection & Vaccine
2015;22(3):143-146
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Since 2012, outbreaks of the Middle East respiratory coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been reported, including the Republic of Korea. To date, most of the people infected with the virus are adults. Herein we describe the clinical characteristics of cases of MERS-CoV infection among children. As of October 29, 2015, MERS-CoV has caused 34 pediatric infections, which accounts for 2.1% of all cases. The median age was 13 years (range 9 months to 17 years) and where gender has been reported (n=33), 57.6% cases were male. About half of the patients were asymptomatic and the majority of the symptomatic patients had respiratory symptoms. In general, the clinical outcome in children was favorable. Among the four patients who died of progressive pneumonia, three had documented comorbidities. MERS-CoV infection in children has a lower incidence and mortality compared to adults.
