COVID-19 in patients diagnosed with persistent tachypnea of infancy

ABSTRACT

Objective: Novel coronavirus has raised substantial concern for patients with chronic lung diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcome of COVID-19 in children with persistent tachypnea of infancy (PTI). Method(s) Children who were previously diagnosed with PTI and admitted for regular follow-up visits were assessed. Data on the history of having SARS-CoV-2 infection was collected. Result(s) Between January 1, 2021, and February 28, 2022, 62 patients with PTI (median age 3.7 years) were evaluated. Thirty-eight patients (61.3%) were diagnosed with COVID-19. Fourteen (36.8%) of them had a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test, and 24 (63.2%) were diagnosed by a positive serology test for specific antibodies connected with a history of close contact. Sixteen patients (42.1%) were asymptomatic, and 22 (57.9%) symptomatic. The most common symptoms were rhinorrhea or nasal congestion (77.3%), cough (72.7%), and sore throat (45.5%). According to NIH guidelines, 16 (42.1%) patients were classified as having mild disease, and in 3 (7.9%) children who had dyspnea, the moderate disease was recognized. Three children (7.9%) with increased dyspnea and oxygen demand required admission to the hospital. Follow-up performed in a median time of 6 months revealed that nearly all PTI patients after COVID-19 returned to their baseline status (78.9%);4 children (10.5%) suffered from exacerbating symptoms of the chILD for one month. Surprisingly two (5.3%) children became completely asymptomatic after COVID-19. Conclusion(s) SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with PTI is usually associated with a mild illness with a low risk of hospitalization.