COVID-۱۹ in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review

Background: Considering the chronic immunosuppression in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, it is necessary to evaluate the course of COVID-۱۹ in these patients. Studies have shown various results in adult IBD patients. This study aimed to find out the course of this infection in pediatric IBD patients.  Methods: This was a systematic review study according to the PRISMA ۲۰۲۰ guideline. International databases including Scopus, PubMed, and the Web of Science were searched with a combination of “COVID-۱۹” AND “IBD” or synonyms until October ۱۶, ۲۰۲۱. Studies that have reported the outcomes of COVID-۱۹ infection in patients less than ۱۹ years of age were selected. Name of author, country, study duration and type, IBD type and drugs, and COVID-۱۹ outcomes were extracted. Results: From the initially retrieved ۲۲۱۵ articles, finally ۱۶ articles were eligible. Data from ۱۰۴۰ pediatric IBD patients were reported. Twenty-four patients were hospitalized, ۵ developed patients multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, and others had a mild disease course and were outpatient. Steroid use, severe IBD activity, and comorbidities were shown to increase risk of hospitalization and disease severity. Conclusion: COVID-۱۹ is a benign and self-limited disease in pediatric IBD patients. Comorbidities, steroid use, and severe IBD activity affect the outcomes.

Keywords:

Coronavirus disease ۲۰۱۹ , Inflammatory bowel disease , SARS-CoV-۲ , Pediatrics