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da Silva Alves C, Baptista Pestana R, Morais-Almeida M. Recent insights into the impacts of COVID-19 on pediatric asthma. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2024:1-20. [PMID: 39136081 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2024.2390641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the subsequent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has raised questions about its impact on pediatric asthma. This review analyzes the latest research to offer a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics between COVID-19 and pediatric asthma. AREAS COVERED This narrative review examines the effects of COVID-19 on pediatric asthma, exploring clinical outcomes, immune responses, recommended treatments, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 strains, and COVID-19 vaccination. Data were sourced from databases (PubMed, Embase, and BioRxiv/MedRxiv) from January 2020 to November 2023. EXPERT OPINION In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the international scientific community rapidly developed extensive knowledge, demonstrating unprecedented cooperation. Despite these advances, questions remain about SARS-CoV-2 infection and pediatric asthma. Most research consists of epidemiological studies with varying methods, sometimes yielding contradictory results. While asthma generally did not increase the risk of severe COVID-19 in children, uncontrolled asthma was a risk factor, highlighting the importance of maintaining asthma management. Telemedicine has proven effective for asthma control and will continue to grow, despite its limitations. Notably, allergic asthma may have a protective role against severe COVID-19. We recommend COVID-19 vaccination in the pediatric age group, including those with asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina da Silva Alves
- Allergy Center, CUF Descobertas Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal
- Pulmonology Department, Doutor Fernando da Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal
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Rao S, Gross RS, Mohandas S, Stein CR, Case A, Dreyer B, Pajor NM, Bunnell HT, Warburton D, Berg E, Overdevest JB, Gorelik M, Milner J, Saxena S, Jhaveri R, Wood JC, Rhee KE, Letts R, Maughan C, Guthe N, Castro-Baucom L, Stockwell MS. Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 in Children. Pediatrics 2024; 153:e2023062570. [PMID: 38321938 PMCID: PMC10904902 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-062570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused significant medical, social, and economic impacts globally, both in the short and long term. Although most individuals recover within a few days or weeks from an acute infection, some experience longer lasting effects. Data regarding the postacute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (PASC) in children, or long COVID, are only just emerging in the literature. These symptoms and conditions may reflect persistent symptoms from acute infection (eg, cough, headaches, fatigue, and loss of taste and smell), new symptoms like dizziness, or exacerbation of underlying conditions. Children may develop conditions de novo, including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune conditions and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. This state-of-the-art narrative review provides a summary of our current knowledge about PASC in children, including prevalence, epidemiology, risk factors, clinical characteristics, underlying mechanisms, and functional outcomes, as well as a conceptual framework for PASC based on the current National Institutes of Health definition. We highlight the pediatric components of the National Institutes of Health-funded Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery Initiative, which seeks to characterize the natural history, mechanisms, and long-term health effects of PASC in children and young adults to inform future treatment and prevention efforts. These initiatives include electronic health record cohorts, which offer rapid assessments at scale with geographical and demographic diversity, as well as longitudinal prospective observational cohorts, to estimate disease burden, illness trajectory, pathobiology, and clinical manifestations and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchitra Rao
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Rachel S. Gross
- Departments of Pediatrics
- Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Sindhu Mohandas
- Division of Infectious Diseases
- Department of Pediatrics and Radiology, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Cheryl R. Stein
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Abigail Case
- Department of Pediatrics and Rehabilitation Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Benard Dreyer
- Department of Pediatrics and Radiology, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Nathan M. Pajor
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - H. Timothy Bunnell
- Biomedical Research Informatics Center, Nemours Children’s Health, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, Wilmington, Delaware
| | - David Warburton
- Department of Pediatrics and Radiology, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Elizabeth Berg
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
| | - Jonathan B. Overdevest
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
| | - Mark Gorelik
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
| | - Joshua Milner
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
| | - Sejal Saxena
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
| | - Ravi Jhaveri
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - John C. Wood
- Department of Pediatrics and Radiology, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kyung E. Rhee
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, San Diego, California
| | - Rebecca Letts
- Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Christine Maughan
- Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Nick Guthe
- Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | | | - Melissa S. Stockwell
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
- Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York
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Ubah CS, Kearney GD, Pokhrel LR. Asthma May Not be a Potential Risk Factor for Severe COVID-19 Illness: A Scoping Review. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSIGHTS 2024; 18:11786302231221925. [PMID: 38188495 PMCID: PMC10768620 DOI: 10.1177/11786302231221925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), but whether the asthmatic patients are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness than non-asthmatic patients has remained unclear. This scoping review aimed to assess the available evidence to determine if asthmatic patients are at a higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness. Searching several electronic databases and adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a scoping review of 70 articles and using defined inclusion-exclusion criteria, 21 articles were analyzed in-depth and included in this scoping review. The findings of this scoping review point to a lack of relationship between asthma and severe COVID-19 illness. While a limited number of studies (n = 4) identified asthma as a risk factor, most studies (n = 17) found no independent association between asthma and severe COVID-19 illness. We, thus, conclude that asthma may not be a potential risk factor for severe COVID-19 illness. Owing to limited evidence, we recommend large-scale prospective cohort studies with standardized methodologies to decipher potential role of asthma in COVID-19 severity. Further, understanding the impact of specific asthma medications, genetic factors, and other comorbidities on COVID-19 outcomes may help inform clinical practice guidelines for effective patient health management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chukwudi S Ubah
- Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Gregory D Kearney
- Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Lok R Pokhrel
- Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
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Kim I, Morphew T, Chou C, Ehwerhemuepha L, Galant S. Controller therapy attenuates asthma exacerbations associated with prior severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2023; 131:376-378. [PMID: 37321447 PMCID: PMC10263224 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2023.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Iris Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, California.
| | - Tricia Morphew
- Morphew Consulting, LLC, Bothell, Washington; CHOC Children's Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, California
| | - Christine Chou
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, California
| | - Louis Ehwerhemuepha
- Department of Research Administration, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, California
| | - Stanley Galant
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, California; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Orange, California
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Ahmed IS, Tapponi SL, Widatallah ME, Alakkad YM, Haider M. Unmasking the enigma: An in-depth analysis of COVID-19 impact on the pediatric population. J Infect Public Health 2023; 16:1346-1360. [PMID: 37433256 PMCID: PMC10299956 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus, has had a profound and wide-reaching impact on individuals of all age groups across the globe, including children. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of COVID-19 in children, covering essential topics such as epidemiology, transmission, pathogenesis, clinical features, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, vaccination, and others. By delving into the current understanding of the disease and addressing the challenges that lie ahead, this article seeks to shed light on the unique considerations surrounding COVID-19 in children and contribute to a deeper comprehension of this global health crisis affecting our youngest population. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted to gather the most recent and relevant information regarding COVID-19 in children. Multiple renowned databases, including MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, as well as authoritative sources such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) websites and others were thoroughly searched. The search included articles, guidelines, reports, clinical trials results and expert opinions published within the past three years, ensuring the inclusion of the latest research findings on COVID-19 in children. Several relevant keywords, including "COVID-19," "SARS-CoV-2," "children," "pediatrics," and related terms were used to maximize the scope of the search and retrieve a comprehensive set of articles. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Three years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, our understanding of its impact on children has evolved, but many questions remain unanswered. While SAR-CoV-2 generally leads to mild illness in children, the occurrence of severe cases and the potential for long-term effects cannot be overlooked. Efforts to comprehensively study COVID-19 in children must continue to improve preventive strategies, identify high-risk populations, and ensure optimal management. By unraveling the enigma surrounding COVID-19 in children, we can strive towards safeguarding their health and well-being in the face of future global health challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Saad Ahmed
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Sara Luay Tapponi
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Marwa Eltahir Widatallah
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yumna Mohamed Alakkad
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed Haider
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
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Ramadan S, Nguyen TTD, Laberge S, Marcotte J, Zisman‐Colman Z, Tse SM. Pre and post-COVID 19 infection pulmonary functions in children with chronic respiratory disease: A case series. Respirol Case Rep 2023; 11:e01077. [PMID: 36578269 PMCID: PMC9780698 DOI: 10.1002/rcr2.1077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
As functional respiratory impairment following COVID-19 infection (COVID-19) is increasingly reported in adult, data regarding children especially with pre-existing chronic respiratory disease (PCRD) remain scarce. We retrospectively assessed clinical presentation, duration of symptoms related to COVID-19 from paediatric patients with PCRD and compared their pre/post COVID-19-I spirometry values. Data from 12 patients were analysed. Timing between COVID-19 diagnosis and subsequent functional evaluation ranged from 26 to 209 days (mean 77). The PCRD in these patients included asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchiolitis obliterans and bronchomalacia. During COVID-19, all clinical presentations were mild. One patient displayed persistent post-COVID-19 symptoms for 8 weeks after infection. Two patients presented significant deterioration of post-COVID-19 spirometric values with a return to pre-COVID-19 values in subsequent measures. We concluded that children with PCRD are not at increased risk for severe COVID disease and that most of them have no or only transient pulmonary functional impairment 1 to 7 months after COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salim Ramadan
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of PediatricsSainte‐Justine University Hospital CenterMontrealQuébecCanada
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of MontrealMontrealQuébecCanada
- Pediatric Pulmonology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and ObstetricsUniversity Hospitals of GenevaGenevaSwitzerland
| | - The Thanh Diem Nguyen
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of PediatricsSainte‐Justine University Hospital CenterMontrealQuébecCanada
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of MontrealMontrealQuébecCanada
| | - Sophie Laberge
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of PediatricsSainte‐Justine University Hospital CenterMontrealQuébecCanada
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of MontrealMontrealQuébecCanada
| | - Jacques‐Edouard Marcotte
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of PediatricsSainte‐Justine University Hospital CenterMontrealQuébecCanada
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of MontrealMontrealQuébecCanada
| | - Zofia Zisman‐Colman
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of PediatricsSainte‐Justine University Hospital CenterMontrealQuébecCanada
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of MontrealMontrealQuébecCanada
| | - Sze Man Tse
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of PediatricsSainte‐Justine University Hospital CenterMontrealQuébecCanada
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of MontrealMontrealQuébecCanada
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Munblit D, Greenhawt M, Brough HA, Pushkareva A, Karimova D, Demidova A, Warner JO, Kalayci O, Sediva A, Untersmayr E, Rodriguez Del Rio P, Vazquez-Ortiz M, Arasi S, Alvaro-Lozano M, Tsabouri S, Galli E, Beken B, Eigenmann PA. Allergic diseases and immunodeficiencies in children, lessons learnt from COVID-19 pandemic by 2022: A statement from the EAACI-section on pediatrics. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2022; 33:e13851. [PMID: 36282136 PMCID: PMC9538373 DOI: 10.1111/pai.13851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
By the April 12, 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic had resulted in over half a billion people being infected worldwide. There have been 6.1 million deaths directly due to the infection, but the pandemic has had many more short- and long-term pervasive effects on the physical and mental health of the population. Allergic diseases are among the most prevalent noncommunicable chronic diseases in the pediatric population, and health-care professionals and researchers were seeking answers since the beginning of pandemic. Children are at lower risk of developing severe COVID-19 or dying from infection. Allergic diseases are not associated with a higher COVID-19 severity and mortality, apart from severe/poorly controlled asthma. The pandemic disrupted routine health care, but many mitigation strategies, including but not limited to telemedicine, were successfully implemented to continue delivery of high-standard care. Although children faced a multitude of pandemic-related issues, allergic conditions were effectively treated remotely while reduction in air pollution and lack of contact with outdoor allergens resulted in improvement, particularly respiratory allergies. There is no evidence to recommend substantial changes to usual management modalities of allergic conditions in children, including allergen immunotherapy and use of biologicals. Allergic children are not at greater risk of multisystem inflammatory syndrome development, but some associations with Long COVID were reported, although the data are limited, and further research is needed. This statement of the EAACI Section on Pediatrics provides recommendations based on the lessons learnt from the pandemic, as available evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Munblit
- Inflammation, Repair and Development Section, Faculty of Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew Greenhawt
- Section of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Helen A Brough
- Children's Allergy Service, Evelina Children's Hospital, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
- Paediatric Allergy Group, Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anna Pushkareva
- European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Diana Karimova
- European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anastasia Demidova
- European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - John O Warner
- Inflammation, Repair and Development Section, Faculty of Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Omer Kalayci
- Pediatric Allergy and Asthma, School of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Anna Sediva
- Department of Immunology, 2nd Medical Faculty, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Untersmayr
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Marta Vazquez-Ortiz
- Inflammation, Repair and Development Section, Faculty of Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Stefania Arasi
- Translational Research in Pediatric Specialities Area, Division of Allergy, IRCCS, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Montserrat Alvaro-Lozano
- Allergology and Clinical Immunology Department, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sophia Tsabouri
- Child Health Department, University of Ioannina School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Elena Galli
- Pediatric Allergology Unit, Department of Pediatric Medicine, S.Pietro Hospital Fatebenefratelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Burcin Beken
- Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Acibadem University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Philippe A Eigenmann
- Pediatric Allergy Unit, Department of Woman, Child and Adolescent, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Chou CC, Morphew T, Ehwerhemuepha L, Galant SP. COVID-19 infection may trigger poor asthma control in children. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY: IN PRACTICE 2022; 10:1913-1915. [PMID: 35487371 PMCID: PMC9040415 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Caveney B, Halterman JS, Fagnano M, Stern J, Frey SM. Caregiver Experiences Managing Persistent Childhood Asthma During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2022; 61:313-319. [PMID: 35139689 PMCID: PMC9900675 DOI: 10.1177/00099228211070659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 has adversely affected child wellness, but it is unclear whether the pandemic led to changes in home management of chronic diseases like asthma. We surveyed 93 caregivers of children with persistent asthma from 2 ongoing asthma trials to measure changes in home asthma management, stressors, access to health care, and caregivers' worry about COVID-19 affecting their child's health. We conducted descriptive analyses, and assessed whether caregiver worry about COVID-19 was associated with asthma management, stressors, health care access, or recent symptoms. Most (80%) caregivers worried that COVID-19 would affect their child's health, and >50% restricted their child's physical activity to avoid asthma symptoms. We observed a dose-dependent relationship between increasing worry about COVID-19 and activity restrictions, financial hardship, difficulty obtaining asthma medications, and nocturnal asthma symptoms. These findings raise concern that children with persistent asthma may be at particular risk for weight gain and obesity-associated asthma morbidity due to the pandemic.
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Vezir E, Hizal M, Cura Yayla B, Aykac K, Yilmaz A, Kaya G, Oygar PD, Ozsurekci Y, Ceyhan M. Does aeroallergen sensitivity and allergic rhinitis in children cause milder COVID-19 infection? Allergy Asthma Proc 2021; 42:522-529. [PMID: 34871160 DOI: 10.2500/aap.2021.42.210087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Background: There are conflicting data with regard to the impact of respiratory and allergic comorbidities on the course of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between allergic diseases and COVID-19 severity in pediatric patients. Methods: Seventy-five pediatric patients with COVID-19 were classified according to clinical severity and evaluated in the allergy/immunology and pulmonology departments 1 to 3 months after the infection resolved. Blood was collected from the patients for a complete blood cell count and assessment of immunoglobulin and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, and skin-prick tests and spirometry tests were performed. Results: A total of 75 patients ages 5-18 years were evaluated. COVID-19 was asymptomatic/mild in 44 patients and moderate/severe/critical in 31 patients. Based on allergy evaluation, allergic rhinitis was diagnosed in 19 patients (25.3%), asthma in 10 patients (13%), and atopic dermatitis in 3 patients (4%). Aeroallergen sensitivity was detected in 26 patients (34.7%). COVID-19 infection was asymptomatic/mild in 15 patients with allergic rhinitis (78.9%) and in 21 with aeroallergen sensitivity (80.8%) (p = 0.038 and p = 0.005, respectively). There was no difference in severity between the patients with and without asthma (p = 0.550). The median (interquartile range) total IgE level was significantly higher in the asymptomatic/mild group (71.8 [30.7-211.2]) (p = 0.015). There were no differences in terms of spirometry parameters. Conclusion: Aeroallergen sensitization and allergic rhinitis in children may be associated with a milder course of COVID-19. The knowledge that atopy is associated with less-severe COVID-19 outcomes in children may guide clinical risk classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emine Vezir
- From the Department of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mina Hizal
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Burcu Cura Yayla
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Disease, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Kubra Aykac
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Disease, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Arzu Yilmaz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, and
| | - Gamze Kaya
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, and
| | - Pembe Derin Oygar
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Yasemin Ozsurekci
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Ceyhan
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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COVID-19-Related Pneumonia in an Adolescent Patient with Allergic Asthma. Case Rep Med 2021; 2021:6706218. [PMID: 34642587 PMCID: PMC8502245 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6706218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The latest coronavirus infection due to SARS-CoV-2, which started in China in December 2019, was announced as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. All epidemiological data so far show us that SARS-CoV-2 infection is less serious in children than in adults. Allergic asthma, the most common chronic disease in children, is usually not to be related to greater risk or severity for COVID-19 in pediatric populations. Although reports/research on asthma and COVID-19 in children have thus far been comforting, when coming across an asthma patient with any lower airway infection, attention should be given to evaluate their asthma control level and the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Case Report. Here, we report a rare adolescent case of COVID-19-related pneumonia development with underlying asthma. A 16-year-old male patient has been followed up by the pediatric allergy outpatient clinic with the diagnosis of asthma for the last 5 years. He was thought to have typical clinical and laboratory findings for SARS-CoV-2 infection combined with underlying pediatric (allergic) asthma. Pulmonary CT showed findings consistent with COVID-19-related pneumonia. He was discharged after 1 week when all his complaints regressed, his examination became normal, and 5-day favipiravir treatment was completed. Conclusion When a physician comes across an asthma patient with any lower airway infection, attention should be given to evaluate their asthma control level and possibility of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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