Reduced PICU respiratory admissions during COVID-19

Abstract

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic reached the Southern Hemisphere in the autumn of 2020, thus coinciding with its expected annual viral respiratory season. The potential impact of national strategies aimed at mitigating COVID-19 during the pandemic on the incidence of other critical viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in children is unknown.MethodsWe analysed admission data for LRTIs from 22 paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in four countries, part of a large international Latin American registry of children with acute respiratory failure (Red Colaborativa Pediátrica de Latinoamérica [LARed Network]).ResultsBetween January and August, there were 83% fewer PICU admissions for LRTIs in 2020 compared to the 2018/2019 average over the same period. Similar decreases were noted for PICU admissions due to respiratory syncytial virus and influenza (92% and 78%, respectively).ConclusionWe observed a striking reduction in PICU admissions due to viral LRTIs over winter, during the COVID-19 pandemic in South America.

COVID-19 and complicated bacterial pneumonia in children

“…We read with great interest the recent publication by Steinfort et al [ 1 ] outlining the profound reduction in influenza infections in Australia as a result of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similar dramatic effects of social distancing on paediatric hospital activity have been reported, with reduced hospital admissions, presentations for respiratory conditions, and detection of other viruses [ 2 – 6 ]. However, the impact of the pandemic on bacterial respiratory infections has not been well characterised.…”

Childhood acute respiratory illnesses: will normal inadequate services be resumed?

“…Prasad Nagakumar , 1,2 Andrew Bush , 3,4 Atul Gupta 5,6 Autumn is characterised by an increase in asthma and wheeze attacks in children. Important contributory factors include transmission of respiratory viral infection as children go back to school, variable adherence to asthma medications during the summer holidays and changes in the weather.…”

“…The data from 22 PICUs from four countries in South America showed 45 cases of RSV bronchiolitis in the winter of 2020 compared with 596 cases in 2019 (92% reduction). 5 The COVID-19 infection control measures like hand washing, face coverings and physical distancing, lockdown measures including school closures and reduction in pollution levels may also have contributed. 6 Asthma and wheeze attacks appear less this winter in Australia.…”

COVID-19 and Pediatric Lung Disease: A South African Tertiary Center Experience

“…In the Southern Hemisphere, the COVID-19 pandemic coincided with the annual 2020 viral respiratory season. Pediatric ICU (PICU) admission data from a large Latin-American registry showed 83% fewer PICU admissions for LRTIs in 2020 compared to the 2018/2019 average over the same period, especially for respiratory syncytial virus and influenza (29). South Africa has similarly seen markedly decreased incidence and hospitalization rates for LRTI through the usual winter admission surge (Olsen et al, under review).…”