Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children with COVID-19 Hospitalized at Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Children Growth Disorder Research Center, Comprehensive Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

2 Children Growth Disorder Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

3 Mother and Newborn Health Research Center, Comprehensive Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 affects respiratory system, but GI manifestations are recognized, particularly in children. These symptoms may precede or accompany respiratory manifestations, making their recognition important for timely diagnosis and management. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of GI manifestations and their association with clinical characteristics and disease severity among hospitalized children with COVID-19.
Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 191 children <18 years with COVID-19 hospitalized at a referral hospital in Yazd, Iran, between 2020-2021. Demographic, laboratory, radiological, and GI data were extracted from hospital COVID-19 registry and medical records using a form. Disease severity was classified per WHO criteria. Statistical analyses used Chi-square and independent t‑tests.
Results: Among 191 children, 78 (40.0%) had ≥1 GI manifestation. Most common symptoms were diarrhea (26.5%), vomiting (25.4%), and abdominal pain (13.6%). No significant associations were found between GI manifestations and sex, underlying conditions, ALT levels, prognosis, ICU admission, or hospitalization length (p>0.05). Nausea was more frequent in children aged 5–13 years (p=0.01), while weight loss was associated with elevated AST (p=0.04). Diarrhea was only GI symptom associated with severity, occurring more frequently in non-severe vs. severe disease (34.4% vs. 18.7%, p=0.01).
Conclusion: GI manifestations are common in hospitalized children with COVID-19 and may facilitate early recognition. Although diarrhea was associated with severity, it was more frequent in non-severe cases and should not be considered an independent marker of severe illness. Severity assessment should be based on overall clinical presentation rather than GI manifestations alone.

Keywords

Journal of Integrated Maternal and Pediatric Care

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 22 July 2026

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History

  • Receive Date: 22 July 2026
  • Accept Date: 22 July 2026

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