Biologic Use in Allergic and Asthmatic Children and Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ABSTRACT

Background: Biologics are the cornerstone of therapy in children and adolescents with severe or uncontrolled allergic diseases, such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, and chronic urticaria. Since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection a pandemic in March 2020, some scientific societies have released statements on the use of biologics in allergic children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: Given the very limited data in Italy on use of biological therapies in allergic children and adolescents during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a multicenter observational nationwide survey was conducted to collect this information. The 11-question survey was designed to determine (1) the number of allergic children and adolescents treated with omalizumab, mepolizumab, or dupilumab for asthma, atopic dermatitis, and chronic urticaria; (2) the number of these patients who developed COVID-19; and (3) severity of COVID-19 symptoms. Twenty pediatric centers participated, and data were collected from February to April 2020. Results: Three hundred eight children and adolescents (mean age 12.8 years, 161 males) were treated with biologics. Only 3 subjects (1%) who had been treated with omalizumab experienced paucisymptomatic COVID-19, but those symptoms promptly resolved. Of the 9 patients treated with mepolizumab, none had COVID-19 or asthma exacerbations. Of the 6 asthmatic subjects and 7 patients with chronic urticaria treated with dupilumab, none had COVID-19. Also, there was no worsening of the underlying disease. Conclusion: These very preliminary outcomes suggest that continuing biologics seem to be safe. Therefore, biologics could be continued in patients with severe allergic diseases, but withheld once contracted COVID-19.