Asthma and COVID-19 in Children

The article is devoted to a review of scientific publications that describe the impact and long-term outcomes of COVID-19 on bronchial asthma (BA) in children. The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked debate in the scientific community. After the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic many countries implemented public health measures aimed at limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2, which also affected the prevalence of other respiratory viruses with similar transmission ways. It is known that during the period of COVID-19 the frequency of visits to the doctor of the children with BA has decreased significantly. A decrease in the level of hospitalizations due to exacerbation of BA in 2020–2022 was also determined. However, the results of studies by different authors regarding the relationship between BA and hospitalization among children with COVID-19 are controversial. The main reasons for reducing the frequency of asthma exacerbations and improving the control of the course of the disease during the period of COVID-19 are associated with a decrease allergens’ influence, an increase in adherence to treatment, and a decrease in the risk of other respiratory viral infections. However, after the quarantine restrictions were lifted, an increased frequency of hospitalizations and deterioration of disease control due to an increased number of exacerbations of asthma was determined. The COVID-19 epidemic has been a significant stimulus for the development of telemedicine, but there is no substitute for person visits for physical examinations and certain tests that are critical in BA. The results of some studies did not show changes in external respiratory function data during the examination of children after COVID-19. However, changes in spirometry data and the need to change treatment were observed in some patients with asthma, indicating that SARS-CoV-2, like other respiratory viruses, may impair asthma control. To date, the long-term outcomes of COVID-19 in children and adolescents remain insufficiently studied and characterized. The current literature presents several compelling risk factors for the development of persistent COVID-19 in the pediatric population. Unfortunately, to date there is no clear data on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the course of BA in children. Therefore, further research into the long-term outcomes of the coronavirus infection in children with BA is critically important.