Point of view of the Italians pediatric scientific societies about the pediatric care during the COVID-19 lockdown: what has changed and future prospects for restarting

Abstract

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently rare in children and they seem to have a milder disease course and better prognosis than adults. However, SARS-Cov-2 pandemic has indirectly caused problems in pediatric medical assistance. In view of this we wanted to draw a picture of what happened during health emergency and analyze future prospects for restarting. Methods We involved the Italian pediatric scientific societies institutionally collected in the Italian Federation of Associations and Scientific Societies of the Pediatric Area (FIARPED); We sent a questionnaire to all scientific societies about the pediatric care activity during the COVID-19 emergency and future perspectives for the phase of post-containment. Results The analysis of the questionnaires showed significant decrease of:admission, outpatient visits and specialist consultancy activities during the COVID-19 emergency, primarily linked to the fear of infection. Instead it was increased the serious degree of diseases admitted. Most of scientific societies maintained the relationship with chronic patients through some form of telemedicine, reporting a strong positive opinion about this modality. Finally showed the need to give life a new approach for hospitalizations and outpatient visits through a greater use of telemedicine, educational programs on families and a more decisive role of family pediatricians. Conclusions Our study highlighted many aspects that can be improved in pediatric care. We think that It will be necessary a new shared strategy to improve the management and continuity of care for pediatric patients, primarily developing a network of collaboration between families, family pediatrician and hospitals and by enhancing the use of new methods of telecommunications.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Emergency Department of a tertiary children’s hospital

“…A survey involving Italians pediatric scientific societies showed the need to give life a new approach for hospitalizations and outpatient visits through a greater use of telemedicine, educational programs on families and a more decisive role of family pediatricians is advocated to remodulate the pediatric health care, developing a program starting from the family and reaching the hospital through a new and efficient model of primary care [ 41 ].…”

Particularities of the Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children

“…The most obvious symptoms in children were cough and fever in concordance with the study of Martelletti L. et al [25], unlike adults where fever, fatigue, loss of smell and taste were the most important symptoms. All children included in the study developed mild forms of the disease, in accordance with the literature [26,27].…”

Italian neonatologists and SARS-CoV-2: lessons learned to face coming new waves

“…Telemedicine was considered a useful tool for non-urgent follow-up consultation both from healthcare providers and parents and needed to be implemented. 62 , 67 …”

“…18,60 Telemedicine was considered a useful tool for non-urgent follow-up consultation both from healthcare providers and parents and needed to be implemented. 62,67 Current evidences are missing on the safety and efficacy of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 of pregnant and lactating women. Even though these categories were not included in the development and clinical evaluation of COVID-19 vaccines in the premarket phase, the Italian Health Institute 76 and SIN, 77 in line with most of the international societies and agencies, [78][79][80] suggested vaccination for both groups when at high risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 or who have comorbidities, which can lead to a more severe disease.…”