Facemask Use by Children During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Abstract

An overview of available literature on the use of protective facemasks by children for protection from respiratory infectious agents reveals relatively few articles dealing specifically with the topic, despite their use during recent outbreaks (eg, severe acute respiratory syndrome, pandemic influenza). Little is known about the physiological and psychological burdens imposed by these devices and a child's ability to correctly use and tolerate them. This article focuses on the myriad issues associated with protective facemask use by children in the hope of educating public health personnel, healthcare professionals, and families on their limitations and associated risks, and in the hope of fostering much-needed research.

Is a Mask That Covers the Mouth and Nose Free from Undesirable Side Effects in Everyday Use and Free of Potential Hazards?

“…Since it can be assumed that children react even more sensitively to masks, the literature suggests that masks are a contraindication for children with epilepsies (hyperventilation as a trigger for seizures) [63]. In the field of pediatrics, special attention should also be paid to the mask symptoms described under psychological, psychiatric and sociological effects with possible triggering of panic attacks by CO 2 rebreathing in the case of predisposition and also reinforcement of claustrophobic fears [77][78][79]167]. The maskrelated disturbance of verbal [43,45,71] and non-verbal communication and, thus, of social interaction is particularly serious for children.…”

The Bacterial Burden of Worn Face Masks – Observational Research and Literature Review

“…This raises reasonable concerns: first, because use by the general population is associated with a higher risk of improper handling of the mask [7][8][9][10][11]; secondly because their efficacy against respiratory viral infections is unproven by high quality trials, which indicate little or no effect [12][13][14] and thirdly, because masks are assumed only to have positive effects [15][16][17]. In reality there is strong evidence that masks pose various risks, especially for pregnant women, children and adolescents, as well as older adults and the unwell [15,[17][18][19][20].…”