Abstract
During the first part of 2003, the world experienced the first epidemic of the 21st century with the emergence of a new and readily transmissible disease. The disease, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), spread quickly and caused numerous deaths, as well as public panic. This article provides a brief review of the initial history of the epidemiology, as well as of the clinical definition, occurrence in the pediatric population, etiology, prevention, drug studies, and considerations for the future.