Table 1 The management of pediatric gastrointestinal diseases in the era of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

• Corticosteroids may be used as induction therapy in IBD children, and steroid weaning should be made on an individual basis

• Treatment with biologics or other conventional immunomodulators should be started and/or regularly continued in IBD pediatric patients

• Patients with autoimmune hepatitis should not reduce or stop the immunosuppressive therapy to avoid acute flares of disease and unnecessary hospital admission

• In patients with chronic hepatitis C already on treatment with oral direct-acting antiviral, therapy should be continued

• Children and adolescents presenting with chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain and a recent history of gastrointestinal disorders should undergo serological SARS-CoV-2 testing

• Antitransglutaminase IgA threshold for biopsy-sparing approach for diagnosis of celiac disease may be reduced to ≥5 times upper limit normal

• Psychological assistance services for patients suffering from chronic gastrointestinal diseases and their parents should be ensured