Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 18, 2025

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
06:15

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus

Published on: March 6, 2019

51.2K

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

Diane M Gray1,2, Mary-Ann Davies3, Leah Githinji1,2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.

Frontiers in Pediatrics
|February 8, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Children with chronic lung disease in Africa experienced mild COVID-19, with no increased severe disease risk. Further research is needed on long-term impacts and specific conditions like immunosuppression.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Global Health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted global health systems, with children generally experiencing milder disease.
  • Chronic lung disease is a known risk factor for severe COVID-19, but data from African pediatric populations, burdened by co-morbidities, is limited.
  • Understanding COVID-19's impact on children with chronic respiratory conditions in low-middle income countries (LMICs) is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing literature on COVID-19 and pediatric chronic lung disease.
  • To present clinical experience from a South African pediatric pulmonary center.
  • To assess the risk of severe COVID-19 in children with pre-existing respiratory conditions in Africa.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on COVID-19 and pediatric chronic lung disease.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data from South Africa regarding pediatric COVID-19 cases and admissions.
  • Review of patient data from a pediatric pulmonary service managing various chronic respiratory conditions.

Main Results:

  • Children <18 years represented 8% of diagnosed COVID-19 cases and 3% of admissions in South Africa.
  • No significant increase in COVID-19 admissions was observed among children with chronic lung conditions.
  • Pediatric COVID-19 cases with pre-existing respiratory disease generally had a mild disease course.

Conclusions:

  • Pre-existing respiratory conditions in children do not appear to be a significant risk factor for severe COVID-19 in the South African context.
  • Longitudinal data are required to evaluate risks in children with immunosuppression and interstitial lung diseases.
  • The indirect effects of pandemic response measures on child respiratory health require further investigation and quantification.

Keywords:
COVID-19SARS-CoV-2chronic lung disease in childhoodlow middle-income countrieslung diseasepediatric tuberculosispediatrics

More Related Videos

Nasal Brushing Sampling and Processing Using Digital High Speed Ciliary Videomicroscopy &#8211; Adaptation for the COVID-19 Pandemic09:03

Nasal Brushing Sampling and Processing Using Digital High Speed Ciliary Videomicroscopy – Adaptation for the COVID-19 Pandemic

Published on: November 7, 2020

5.2K
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA

Published on: February 9, 2011

23.3K

Related Concept Videos

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
590
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
497
COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features01:20

COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung conditions that progressively worsen over time, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This cluster of diseases collectively leads to a gradual and irreversible decline in lung function over time.
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
1.6K
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis II

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
874
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III01:31

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
605
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology01:29

Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
1.8K