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Pulmonary function in children post -SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  • Nasrin Moazzen,
  • Elham Bakhtiari ,
  • Sara Ghahremani
Nasrin Moazzen
Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Ghaem Hospital

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Elham Bakhtiari
Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Faculty of Medicine
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Sara Ghahremani
Tehran University of Medical Sciences
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Abstract

Objective: There are some concerns regarding long-term complications of COVID-19 in children. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed evaluating the respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function, post-SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: A systematic search was performed in databases up to 30 December 2022 . Studies evaluating respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function after COVID-19 infection in children were selected. The major outcomes were frequency of respiratory symptoms and mean of spirometry parameters. Pooled mean with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated. Results: A total of 6 articles with 272 patients were included in meta-analysis. Dyspnea and cough were the most common symptoms. The meta-mean of forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) was 101.72%, 95% CI= (98.72, 104.73) and 101.31 %, 95% CI= (95.44, 107.18) respectively. The meta-mean of FEV1/FVC and Forced expiratory flow at 25 and 75% was 96.16 %, 95% CI= (90.47, 101.85) and 105.05 %, 95% CI= (101.74, 108.36) respectively. The meta-mean of diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide was 105.30%, 95%CI= (88.12, 122.49). There was no significant difference in spirometry parameters before and after bronchodilator inhalation. Conclusions: Despite of some clinical respiratory symptoms, meta-results showed no abnormality in pulmonary function in follow-up of children with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Disease severity and asthma background had not confounded this outcome.