Journal
PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY
Volume 58, Issue 4, Pages 1042-1050Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26291
Keywords
complications; long COVID; lungs ultrasound; pediatric; pulmonary function tests; SARS-CoV-2; sequelae; viral pneumonia
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The objective of this study was to assess the pulmonary sequelae of COVID-19 pneumonia in children. Children diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia were followed up 3 months postdischarge, and if abnormalities were found, a second visit after 3 months was scheduled. The study showed that children may experience mild long-term sequelae, which generally resolve over time.
ObjectivesThe goal of this study was to assess the pulmonary sequelae of COVID-19 pneumonia in children. Study DesignChildren (0-18 years old) diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia hospitalized between March 2020 and March 2021 were included in this observational study. All children underwent follow-up visits 3 months postdischarge, and if any abnormalities were stated, a second visit after the next 3 months was scheduled. Clinical assessment included medical history, physical examination, lung ultrasound (LUS) using a standardized protocol, and pulmonary function tests (PFTs). PFTs results were compared with healthy children. ResultsForty-one patients with COVID-19 pneumonia (severe disease n = 3, mechanical ventilation, n = 0) were included in the study. Persistent symptoms were reported by seven (17.1%) children, the most common was decreased exercise tolerance (57.1%), dyspnea (42.9%), and cough (42.9%). The most prevalent abnormalities in LUS were coalescent B-lines (37%) and small subpleural consolidations (29%). The extent of LUS abnormalities was significantly greater at the first than at the second follow-up visit (p = 0.03). There were no significant differences in PFTs results neither between the study group and healthy children nor between the two follow-up visits in the study group. ConclusionsOur study shows that children might experience long-term sequelae following COVID-19 pneumonia. In the majority of cases, these are mild and resolve over time.
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