Dermatological manifestations of the Coronavirus disease 2019 in children: a systemic review

Introduction: An increasing number of publications describing dermatoses associated with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have shown differences in the morphology and incidence of dermatoses in children compared to the general population.

Material and methods: Among 22 selected full-text articles, dermatoses associated with COVID-19 have been described in 196 children (average age: 12.57 years). Dermatoses were the only symptom in most patients (n = 134; 68.4%). RT-PCR tests of nasopharyngeal swabs confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in only 18 cases (n = 18/69; 26.1%).

Results: Dermatoses described include chilblain-like lesions (n = 173; 88.3%), maculopapular rash (n = 16; 8.2%), erythema multiforme-like lesions (n = 12; 6.1%), varicella-like exanthema (n = 1; 0.5%), and urticaria (n = 1; 0.5%).

Conclusions: This publication aims to summarise existing data on dermatoses and to draw attention to how identification of dermatological symptoms in paediatric patients can provide a quick and reliable indicator of COVID-19.