Pulmonary function tests in the follow-up of children with COVID-19

Conclusions:  Our study suggests that the persistence of respiratory symptoms is not related to the severity of acute COVID-19 in children. The inflammatory process due to COVID-19 may continue regardless of its severity, and consequently, peripheral airways may be affected.What is Known:• As compared with adults, children with COVID-19 exhibit a milder disease course and lower mortality rates. However, due to the lack of follow-up studies on children, the long-term effects of their contracting the disease are unknown.What is New:• Although COVID-19 has been thought to have a milder course in children, respiratory system symptoms persist in approximately 30% of patients 3 months after infection. The persistent respiratory symptoms suggest that the inflammatory process due to COVID-19 may continue in some children, even if the clinical findings at admission are not severe, and that the peripheral airways may be affected accordingly.
Source: European Journal of Pediatrics - Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research