Pulmonary function tests in infants following SARS-CoV-2 infection

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Infectious Diseases
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• The long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly in infants, are not well understood.
• Evaluating pulmonary function in infants after SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial for assessing potential lasting respiratory impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate infant pulmonary function tests (iPFT) several months after a documented SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• To compare iPFT results in infants with persistent respiratory complaints post-SARS-CoV-2 infection against a control group.

Main Methods:

• An observational case-control study design was employed.
• Infant pulmonary function tests (iPFT) were compared between 16 infants with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and 475 controls.
• Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney U and Fisher's exact tests, excluding infants with chronic diseases or extreme prematurity.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found in lung volumes, compliance, or resistance between the SARS-CoV-2 group and controls.
• Expiratory airflow limitation was present in both groups, with slightly better low lung volume flows noted in the SARS-CoV-2 group.
• Physiologic alterations and bronchodilator responsiveness on iPFT were similar between the groups.

Conclusions:

• This study presents initial comprehensive iPFT data for infants following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection does not appear to cause unique long-term pulmonary function deficits in infants with chronic respiratory symptoms.
• Further research in larger cohorts, especially those with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, is recommended to confirm these observations.