Systematic review of respiratory symptoms and spirometry
parameters
Seven studies from Italy, Turkey, Germany and USA evaluated the clinical
symptoms and respiratory functions in children post COVID-19 infection.
Sample size ranged from 16 to 82 participants. The age of patients was
varying from 7 to 15 years. Respiratory function was evaluated at least
6 weeks after infection. The most common clinical symptoms were cough,
dyspnea, exercise intolerance and fatigue. In two studies no respiratory
symptoms were reported (14, 19). Regarding spirometry parameters, four
studies reported that COVID-19 did not affect respiratory functions
(13-16) and three studies reported that it could affect pulmonary
function (17-19). In four studies patients with a history of asthma were
excluded (13, 14, 17, 19). In two studies spirometry parameters were
measured before and after bronchodilator inhalation (13, 18). In five
studies all types of COVID-19 were included (15, 17-19) and in two
studies only mild or asymptomatic patients were enrolled (13, 14). Among
7 eligible studies, one study reported the z score of spirometry
parameters (16). So it not included to meta-analysis.