An Overview of Pediatric Pulmonary Complications During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Lesson for Future

Abstract

Background: The pediatric community is considered a suitable target for controlling the spread and mortality of viral diseases. In late December 2019, a respiratory disease due to the novel coronavirus, later COVID-19, hit the globe. The COVID-19 global disruption had direct and indirect impacts on different aspects of child health. Therefore, surveillance, preventive approaches, and treatment plans for children came into the spotlight.

Objective: This study aims to discuss the clinical pictures as well as laboratory and radiological findings of the infected children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus of this study is to express the clinical manifestations of respiratory disease in pediatric SARS-CoV-2, available therapeutic options, vaccine recommendations, and long COVID sequelae in affected children. This review could serve as a hint for upcoming challenges in pediatric care during future pandemics.

Results: The clinical presentation of COVID-19 in pediatrics can range from mild pulmonary disease to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Supportive care is a crucial component of the management of pediatric COVID-19. However, the importance of specializing in how to treat patients with more severe conditions cannot be overstated. Additionally, clinicians must consider prevention strategies as well as potential complications.

Conclusion: Although the infected patients are dipping day by day, there is a lack of clinical guidelines for pediatric SARS-CoV-2-associated pulmonary diseases. Understanding of the physicians about all aspects of pediatric care during the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to enhanced quality of future patient care and safety, reduced costs of health policies, and surveil the risk that patients with respiratory viruses can expose to society.

Keywords: COVID‐19; SARS‐CoV‐2; corona virus; long COVID; pandemic; pediatrics; pulmonary; respiratory complications; viral infection.

Figure 1

Risk factors of developing severe COVID‐19 infection in pediatrics. Depicts the factors, which increase the likelihood of developing severe SARS‐CoV‐2 infections in children. NG tube, Nasogastric tube.

Figure 2

Ventilatory support settings in children with ARDS in COVID‐19 pandemics. The basics of ventilatory support settings for patients with ARDS. The mode, tidal volume, PEEP, and additional settings are mentioned. ARDS, acute respiratory distress syndrome; PBW, predicted body weight; PEEP, positive end‐expiratory pressure.