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COVID-19 in patients with persistent tachypnea of infancy
Honorata Marczak1, Joanna Chruściel2, Marek Kulus1
1Department of Pediatric Pneumonology and Allergy, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
Insights
Children with persistent tachypnea of infancy (PTI) generally experience mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with low hospitalization risk. Most PTI patients maintained their condition post-COVID-19, with few experiencing symptom exacerbation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Persistent tachypnea of infancy (PTI) is a chronic lung condition in children.
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses risks to individuals with chronic lung diseases.
- The impact of COVID-19 on children with PTI requires specific clinical evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pediatric patients diagnosed with persistent tachypnea of infancy (PTI).
- To determine the outcomes and clinical course of COVID-19 infection in children with pre-existing PTI.
- To evaluate the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the long-term status of PTI.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective data collection on COVID-19 diagnosis and clinical course in children with PTI.
- Utilized European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control criteria for COVID-19 diagnosis.
- Follow-up assessments were conducted at a median of 6 months post-infection.
Main Results:
- Out of 62 PTI patients evaluated, 38 (61.3%) were diagnosed with COVID-19.
- The majority of COVID-19 cases in this cohort were asymptomatic (42.1%) or symptomatic with mild (42.1%), moderate (7.9%), or severe (7.9%) courses.
- Post-COVID-19 follow-up showed that 84.2% of patients returned to their baseline PTI status, with 10.5% experiencing temporary symptom exacerbation.
Conclusions:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) typically presents with a mild clinical course in children with persistent tachypnea of infancy (PTI).
- The risk of severe outcomes or hospitalization due to COVID-19 in this pediatric population is low.
- Persistent tachypnea of infancy (PTI) status remained largely unchanged after SARS-CoV-2 infection, with minimal impact on the majority of patients.
Background:
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has raised substantial concern for patients with chronic lung diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children with persistent tachypnea of infancy (PTI).
Methods:
Data on the history of COVID-19, including diagnosis and clinical course of the infection, were collected during the regular follow-up visits of children previously diagnosed with PTI. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was based on laboratory criteria recommended by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
Results:
Between January 1, 2021, and February 28, 2022, 62 patients with PTI (median age 3.7 years; 42 boys, 20 girls) were evaluated. COVID-19 was diagnosed in 38 patients (61.3%). Sixteen patients (42.1%) were asymptomatic, and 22 (57.9%) were symptomatic. The most common symptoms were rhinorrhea or nasal congestion, cough, and sore throat. Sixteen patients (42.1%) were classified as having a mild course of COVID-19, three children (7.9%) as moderate, and three children (7.9%) as severe. Follow-up performed after a median of 6 months (range 3-12 months) revealed that, after COVID-19, nearly all PTI patients returned to their prior status (32/38, 84.2%); 4 children (10.5%) suffered from exacerbating symptoms of PTI for 1 month. Two children (5.3%) became asymptomatic after COVID-19.
Conclusion:
The course of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with PTI is usually mild, and the risk of hospitalization is low. The course of PTI did not change after COVID-19 in most children, and only a few patients experienced an exacerbation.
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