SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Is Covid-19 Associated With Viral-Induced Pediatric Asthma Exacerbations?

Pdf Summary

This retrospective study examined whether SARS-CoV-2 can trigger asthma exacerbations in children with known asthma. Researchers reviewed 114 patients ages 2–18 admitted to a children’s hospital in Miami between April 2020 and January 2022 with symptomatic COVID-19 confirmed by nasopharyngeal swab.<br /><br />The main outcome was bronchospasm, used as a marker of asthma exacerbation. Of the 114 children, 60 (53%) developed bronchospasm and 63 (55%) required albuterol and steroids. Most patients had intermittent asthma, and about 39% had a BMI at or above the 85th percentile.<br /><br />The study found that isolated COVID-19 infection may be associated with bronchospasm in children with asthma, suggesting SARS-CoV-2 can contribute to asthma worsening rather than being a non-triggering virus. However, having a BMI at or above the 85th percentile was not significantly associated with bronchospasm overall (p = 0.41), although a slightly higher proportion of overweight or obese children experienced bronchospasm than children with normal BMI (56% vs. 48%). There was also no significant difference in bronchospasm between children with solitary SARS-CoV-2 infection and those with viral coinfections (p = 0.12).<br /><br />In conclusion, the authors suggest that children with asthma remain at risk for COVID-19–related bronchospasm and should be monitored and counseled accordingly, especially as public health precautions decrease and exposure increases.

Asset Subtitle

Stephanie S. Montarroyos

Meta Tag

Author List Melissa C. Clemente, Saleh Alsulami, Stephanie S. Montarroyos

Category Research

Concept COVID-19 Infection

Concept Asthma

Concept Bronchospasm

Concept Acute Asthma Exacerbation

Concept Pediatric Patient

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Nicklaus Children's Hospital

Presenting Author Stephanie S. Montarroyos

Track Pediatric

Keywords

SARS-CoV-2

COVID-19

asthma exacerbation

children

bronchospasm

pediatric asthma

albuterol

steroids

viral coinfection

BMI

COVID-19 Infection

Asthma

Bronchospasm

Acute Asthma Exacerbation

Pediatric Patient