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Multicenter Study
. 2022 May;54(5):572-579.
doi: 10.1016/j.dld.2022.02.010. Epub 2022 Mar 9.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric endoscopy: A multicenter study on behalf of the SIGENP Endoscopy Working Group

Collaborators, Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric endoscopy: A multicenter study on behalf of the SIGENP Endoscopy Working Group

Sara Renzo et al. Dig Liver Dis. 2022 May.

Abstract

Background: Aim of the present report was to investigate the repercussions of COVID-19 pandemic on the procedural volumes and on the main indications of pediatric digestive endoscopy in Italy.

Methods: An online survey was distributed at the beginning of December 2020 to Italian digestive endoscopy centers. Data were collected comparing two selected time intervals: the first from 1st of February 2019 to 30th June 2019 and the second from 1st February 2020 to 30th June 2020.

Results: Responses to the survey came from 24 pediatric endoscopy Units. Globally, a reduction of 37.2% was observed between 2019 and 2020 periods with a significant decrease in median number of procedures (111 vs 57, p < 0.001). Both the median number of procedures performed for new diagnoses and those for follow-up purposes significantly decreased in 2020 (63 vs 36, p < 0.001 and 42 vs 21, p< 0.001, respectively). We reported a drastic reduction of procedures performed for suspected Celiac Disease and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (55.1% and 58.0%, respectively). Diagnostic endoscopies for suspected IBD decreased of 15.5%, whereas procedures for Mucosal Healing (MH) assessment reduced of 48.3%.

Conclusions: Our study provides real-world data outlining the meaningful impact of COVID-19 on pediatric endoscopy practice in Italy.

Keywords: COVID-19; Endoscopy; Pediatric Endoscopy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest None declared.

Figures

Fig. 1:
Fig. 1
Mean endoscopic procedures performed in 2019 and 2020 period.

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