COVID-19 and Pediatric Lung Disease: A South African Tertiary Center Experience

Frontiers in Pediatrics

Muntanga Mapani¹  Aamir Yassin¹  Zandiswa Nowalaza¹  Michael Levin¹  Norbertta Washaya¹  Diane M. Gray²  Heather J. Zar²  Aneesa Vanker²  Leah Githinji²  Marco Zampoli²  Mary-Ann Davies³ 

[1] Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa;Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa;Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa;School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa;

关键词: COVID-19;    SARS-CoV-2;    pediatrics;    lung disease;    chronic lung disease in childhood;    low middle-income countries;    pediatric tuberculosis;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fped.2020.614076

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

The COVID-19 pandemic led to rapid global spread with far-reaching impacts on health-care systems. Whilst pediatric data consistently shown a milder disease course, chronic lung disease has been identified as a risk factor for hospitalization and severe disease. In Africa, comprised predominantly of low middle-income countries (LMIC), the additional burden of HIV, tuberculosis, malnutrition and overcrowding is high and further impacts health risk. This paper reviewed the literature on COVID-19 and chronic lung disease in children and provides our experience from an African pediatric pulmonary center in Cape Town, South Africa. South African epidemiological data confirms a low burden of severe disease with children <18 years comprising 8% of all diagnosed cases and 3% of all COVID-19 admissions. A decrease in hospital admission for other viral lower respiratory tract infections was found. While the pulmonology service manages children with a wide range of chronic respiratory conditions including bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, asthma, interstitial lung disease and children with tracheostomies, no significant increase in COVID-19 admissions were noted and in those who developed COVID-19, the disease course was not severe. Current evidence suggests that pre-existing respiratory disease in children does not appear to be a significant risk factor for severe COVID-19. Longitudinal data are still needed to assess risk in children with immunosuppression and interstitial lung diseases. The indirect impacts of the pandemic response on child respiratory health are notable and still likely to be fully realized and quantified. Ensuring children have access to full preventive and care services during this time is priority.

【 授权许可】

CC BY