Oral manifestations of COVID-19 in children: a narrative literature review

COVID-19 triggers an acute inflammatory response in organs, tissues, tongue mucosa, and salivary glands. Some symptoms such as lesions on the tongue and oral mucosa, oral pseudomembranous candidiasis, pharyngitis, taste alteration, gingivitis, canker sores, and even multisystem inflammatory syndrome have been reported in children with COVID-19. Early diagnosis of oral manifestations improves patients' prognosis and quality of life. A narrative literature review was conducted based on studies published in PubMed and LiLacs from January 2020 to April 2024, related to oral manifestations in COVID-19 in children. Of the 68 articles found, 7 were selected after analysis. The main manifestations presented were: abscesses, mucositis, ulcerative lesions, gingivitis, pseudomembranous candidiasis, mucosal lesions, lip and tongue fissures, hemorrhagic crust, inflammation of salivary glands, lip swelling, and reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption. The selected articles showed that these oral manifestations of COVID-19 can affect children in various age groups, serving as indicators of the disease and signs of worsening infection.