Effect of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the control and severity of pediatric asthma

• Silvia Sánchez-García ^[1] ; Javier Ruiz-Hornillos ^[2] ; Marta Bernaola ^[1] ; Alicia Habernau-Mena ^[5] ; Eva María Lasa ^[3] ; Javier Contreras ^[6] ; Rocío Candón-Morillo ^[7] ; Cristina Antón-Rodríguez ^[4] ; Carmelo Escudero ^[1]
  1. [1] Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesus de Madrid

     Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesus de Madrid

     Madrid, España

     
  2. [2] Hospital Infanta Elena

     Hospital Infanta Elena

     Huelva, España

     
  3. [3] Hospital Universitario de Donostia

     Hospital Universitario de Donostia

     San Sebastián, España

     
  4. [4] Universidad Francisco de Vitoria

     Universidad Francisco de Vitoria

     Pozuelo de Alarcón, España

     
  5. [5] Department of Allergy, Complejo Hospitalario de Mérida, Badajoz, Spain.
  6. [6] Department of Allergy, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
  7. [7] Department of Allergy, Hospital General La Mancha Centro, Alcázar de San Juan, Ciudad Real, Spain.

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• Localización: Allergologia et immunopathologia: International journal for clinical and investigate allergology and clinical immunology, ISSN-e 1578-1267, ISSN 0301-0546, Vol. 50, Nº. 1, 2022, págs. 99-103
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Background: The novel disease caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused an unprecedented global pandemic. Care providers of asthmatic children are increasingly concerned; as viral infections are one of the primary triggers of asthma flare-up. However, the effect of SARS-CoV-2 as well as the generated worldwide lockdown on asthmatic children is unknown.

    Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of pandemic SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric asthma control.

    Material and Methods: A retrospective, open, transversal study was performed at five tertiary hospitals. Recruited patients were aged <18 years and had physician-diagnosed asthma. Information regarding the 2019 and 2020 seasons were provided.

    Results: Data were collected from 107 children (age range: 3–18 years, mean age: 12 years). Well-controlled asthma was observed in 58 (54.2%) patients in 2020 versus 30 (28%) in 2019, and 15 (14%) patients had poorly controlled asthma in 2020 versus 28 (26.2%) in 2019. In 2020, a decrease in exacerbations caused by allergies to pollen, dust mites, molds, and through other causes not related to SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed. An increase in exacerbations was observed due to animal dander, stress, physical exercise, and SARSCoV-2 infection. Children had a reduced need for asthma-controlling medication, made fewer visits to healthcare providers and had lesser need of treatment with oral corticosteroids if compared with the same season of 2019.

    Conclusion: Pediatric asthma control improved, the need for controller medication declined, and fewer visits to healthcare providers were made during the pandemic if compared with the 2019 season.