Long-term follow-up of children after COVID-19 infection and monitoring pulmonary functions
Pediatrics International, cilt.67, sa.1, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 67 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2025
- Doi Numarası: 10.1111/ped.70274
- Dergi Adı: Pediatrics International
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE
- Anahtar Kelimeler: children, COVID-19, long-COVID, post-COVID condition, pulmonary function tests, SARS-CoV2
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is now part of our lives. Many children still experience post-COVID respiratory conditions and require evaluation and follow-up. Methods: Children referred to the Pediatric Pulmonology Department between 2021 and 2022, due to a history of COVID-19 pneumonia with/without comorbid disease and respiratory complaints after COVID-19, were prospectively followed up with pulmonary function tests at 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: The median age of 138 children was 14 years (1–18), 42 (30.4%) had comorbid conditions, and 40 (28.9%) had a history of COVID-19 pneumonia. Respiratory symptoms after infection persisted in approximately 62% of children, and 28% of children who had no symptoms before infection were diagnosed with asthma (N = 18, 13%), allergic rhinitis (N = 5), anxiety and tic disorder (N = 4), and other diseases (N = 4). At admission, pulmonary function abnormalities were detected in 12% (N = 4 obstructive ventilatory pattern, N = 6 restrictive, and N = 2 mixed). Pulmonary functions were similar in children with and without persistent respiratory complaints (PRCs). At the 12-month follow-up, there were three children (2.1%) with PRC, and pulmonary function anomalies persisted in five children. A significant increase in pulmonary function was observed in both children with and without PRC. FEF25-75, the indicator of small airways, was lower in children with PRC. Conclusions: This study suggested that COVID-19 may have affected pulmonary function in children independently of respiratory symptoms and that this effect may be more severe in children with PRC. It is necessary to follow up and research examination and early intervention methods for post-COVID conditions.