Impact of COVID-19 on pediatric bronchial asthma

Abstract

Pediatric bronchial asthma is known to be acutely exacerbated by respiratory infections, so there was concern at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic induced acute asthma exacerbation. However, a systematic review has not reported any evidence that COVID-19 exacerbates bronchial asthma, and acute pediatric bronchial asthma hospitalization surveillance has shown that hospitalizations have decreased and that among hospitalized cases, there were few positive SARS-CoV-2 cases, and no cases requiring artificial ventilation were reported.

On the other hand, an internet survey conducted among parents of children with bronchial asthma found that although many children were in good physical condition during the pandemic, a few children who were not receiving long-term control medications and/or who were exposed to passive smoking has been developed acute asthma exacerbation.

According to these findings, COVID-19 does not induce acute bronchial asthma exacerbation in the acute phase, but we need to once again raise awareness about bronchial asthma management, such as daily control and prevention of passive smoking. In addition, it is necessary to examine the long-term prognosis of children with bronchial asthma who were suffering from COVID-19.