Evaluation of Pulmonary Functions After Discharge in Pediatric Patients
with Covid-19
Abstract
Objective: In some adult patients diagnosed with Covid-19, abnormal lung
imaging and then pulmonary fibrosis were detected in these patients
after discharge. Studies on pulmonary function tests have been carried
out in these patients, but not yet in pediatric patients. In our study,
we performed pulmonary function tests 1 month after discharge in
pediatric patients diagnosed with Covid-19. Thus, we thought that when
we encountered pulmonary dysfunction in our patients, we could reduce
morbidity and mortality by enabled them get involved in pulmonary
rehabilitation programs. Material and Methods: In this prospective
study, pediatric patients aged 5-18 years who were hospitalized and
discharged with the diagnosis of Covid-19 were included. Pulmonary
function tests were performed with spirometry in our patients. Results:
76 patients were screened. 34 patients were able to perform pft.When the
percentage values of the patients in pulmonary function tests were
compared with the test value of 100, no significant decrease was found.
When the actual values measured by spirometry were compared with the
predictive values that should be at the same age, weight and height, no
significant decrease was found. However, in the correlation analysis, a
moderately negative correlation was found between the length of hospital
stay and Fef 25-75. Conclusion: The fact that the decreasing of Fef
25-75 as the hospitalization period increases due to Covid-19 may be
meaningful in terms of showing us that having covid 19 worsens lung
functions even in pediatric patients. More comprehensive studies are
needed to understand the prognosis of these patients.