Ursodeoxycholic acid administration did not reduce susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in children

Background and AimsA recent study suggested that administration of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) at dosages usually employed clinically may reduce rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. A recent surge of SARS-CoV-2 omicron infection in China allowed study of whether UDCA administration reduced susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with liver disease. MethodsThrough WeChat groups, a questionnaire was distributed to families (n = 300) in which a child had been admitted to our liver service in the past 5 years. The proportion of families in which both a liver service child and another family or household member were infected with SARS-CoV-2 was compared between families in which children were and were not taking UDCA. ResultsOf the 300 questionnaire answers, 280 (93.3%) were valid. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed in 226 families (80.7%): 146 children were taking UDCA (10-20 mg/kg/day) and 80 children were not taking UDCA. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed in 95 children taking UDCA (65.1%) and in 51 children not taking UDCA (63.8%) (p = 0.843); SARS-CoV-2 infection was suspected in 23 children taking UDCA (15.8%) and in 11 children not taking UDCA (13.8%) (p = 0.687). ConclusionsThese results indicate that UDCA administration does not reduce susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with liver disease.

Automated summary

A recent study investigated the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) administration on susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with liver disease. A questionnaire was distributed to 300 families, and the proportion of families with SARS-CoV-2 infection was compared between children taking and not taking UDCA. The results suggest that UDCA administration does not reduce susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with liver disease.