Preliminary Evidence on Pulmonary Function after Asymptomatic and Mild COVID-19 in Children

Abstract

Background: While it has been described that adults can develop long-lasting deterioration in pulmonary function (PF) after coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), regardless of disease severity, data on the long-term pneumological impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children are lacking. Methods: Performing a single-center, prospective, observational study on children aged 6–18 years with a previous diagnosis of asymptomatic/mild COVID-19, we evaluated the long-term impact of mild severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children. Results: A total of 61 subjects underwent spirometry after a mean time of 10 ± 4 months from asymptomatic or mild infection. None of the children reported any respiratory symptoms, needed any inhaled therapy, or had abnormal lung function. Conclusions: In our study, we observed that children and adolescents did not develop chronic respiratory symptoms and did not present lung function impairment after asymptomatic or mild SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Pulmonary function in children post -SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Some studies were excluded because of duplication. Finally, seven articles including 345 patients were enrolled in the present review (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18). Eligible studies were including 5 cross sectionals (13,14,16,17,19) and 2 longitudinal studies (15,18).…”

“…Finally, seven articles including 345 patients were enrolled in the present review (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18). Eligible studies were including 5 cross sectionals (13,14,16,17,19) and 2 longitudinal studies (15,18). In one study the z score of spirometry parameters were reported.…”

“…The most common clinical symptoms were cough, dyspnea, exercise intolerance and fatigue. In two studies no respiratory symptoms were reported (14,19). Regarding spirometry parameters, four studies reported that COVID-19 did not affect respiratory functions (13)(14)(15)(16) and three studies reported that it could affect pulmonary function (17)(18)(19).…”

“…In two studies no respiratory symptoms were reported (14,19). Regarding spirometry parameters, four studies reported that COVID-19 did not affect respiratory functions (13)(14)(15)(16) and three studies reported that it could affect pulmonary function (17)(18)(19). In four studies patients with a history of asthma were excluded (13,14,17,19).…”

“…Regarding spirometry parameters, four studies reported that COVID-19 did not affect respiratory functions (13)(14)(15)(16) and three studies reported that it could affect pulmonary function (17)(18)(19). In four studies patients with a history of asthma were excluded (13,14,17,19). In two studies spirometry parameters were measured before and after bronchodilator inhalation (13,18).…”