ABSTRACT
Introduction or Background: The long-term effects of COVID-19 infection on the respiratory system in children are not yet known. Aims and Objectives: To determine the long-term effects of COVID-19 infection on the respiratory system of children by evaluating pulmonary function tests. Method(s): In this multicenter study, COVID-19 PCR positive children(>=6years) were evaluated prospectively with pulmonary function tests(spirometry, plethysmography and CO diffusion) at 3rd and 6th months follow-up. The results were evaluated retrospectively based on clinical symptoms, physical examination findings, radiological and laboratory tests of the patients in the acute phase of the infection. Result(s): At 3rd month evaluation of 270 COVID-19 PCR positive pediatric patients, mean FEV1 96.85+/-16.84%,FVC 96.06+/-16.84% were found;at 6th month, mean FEV1 100,03+/-15.98%,FVC 100.62+/-16.87. At the 3rd month, statistically significant differences were found between FEV1<80%(n:28),FEV1>80%(n:242) groups due to the presence of additional diseases(p<0.001),having respiratory(p=0.006) and cardiovascular(p=0.004) system pathological examination findings, interlobular septal thickening(p=0.020) on thorax CT, high level of CRP(p=0.032),IL6(p=0.048),ferritin(p=0,020) during the infection period. Having COVID-19 pneumonia was found to be non-effective on spirometric test results. No difference was found between the 3rd and 6th month spirometry results of the same patient. Conclusion(s): After recovery of COVID-19 infection, children who have additional diseases, and pathological examination and radiological findings during the infection period, may have functional respiratory changes;so they should be monitored with pulmonary function tests.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Few cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have been reported in children compared with the total number of cases in the general population. No pediatric studies (or cases) have evaluated extracorporeal techniques in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. In this article, we aimed to describe the clinical features, treatments, and outcomes of four children with COVID-19 who were treated with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Materials and Methods: The children with COVID 19 pneumonia admitted to the PICUs from March 23, and May 6, 2020 were collected. Demographic data and reason for hospitalization were recorded. Vital and laboratory findings were examined in children with extracorporeal treatments.