Pulmonary function in children post -SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic
review and meta-analysis
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.