Hepatitis: An emerging presentation in child with coronavirus disease 2019

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is an enveloped RNA beta?coronavirus related to the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus and has varied clinical manifestations, commonly involving the respiratory system. Gastrointestinal symptoms with/without respiratory symptoms are increasingly reported. The liver function elevation is usually mild in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID?19) disease and usually recovers without treatment. However, severe liver injury has been reported in adult studies. Liver injury is emerging as a clinically important consequence of COVID?19. We report a case of a child who presented with fever and acute abdomen in acute liver failure and was tested positive for COVID?19 reverse transcriptase?polymerase chain reaction and was successfully managed without any complications. This rare presentation with acute abdomen should raise the suspicion of COVID?19 and teaches us to develop a broader approach in this evolving pandemic.