Pedro Mondejar-López

and 35 more

Introduction Viral infections are associated with pulmonary exacerbations in children with Cystic Fibrosis (cwCF), but after 3 years of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, whether cwCF are at higher risk of developing COVID-19 or its adverse consequences remains controversial. Methods We conducted an observational, multicenter, cross-sectional study of cwCF infected by SARS-CoV-2 between March 2020 and June 2022, (1 st to 6 th COVID-19 pandemic waves) in Spain. The study aimed to describe patients’ basal characteristics, SARS-CoV-2 clinical manifestations and outcomes, and whether there were differences across the pandemic waves. Results During study time, 351 SARS-CoV2 infections were reported among 341 cwCF. Median age was 8.5 years (range 0-17) and 51% were female. Cases were unevenly distributed across the pandemic, with most cases (82%) clustered between November 2021 and June 2022 (6 th wave, also known as Omicron Wave due to the higher prevalence of this strain in that period in Spain). Most cwCF were asymptomatic (24.8%) or presented with mild Covid-19 symptoms (72.9%). Among symptomatic, most prevalent symptoms were fever (62%) and increased cough (53%). No multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), persisting symptoms, long-term sequelae or deaths were reported. Conclusions Spanish current data indicate that cwCF do not experience higher risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection nor worse health outcomes or sequelae. Changes in patients’ basal characteristics, clinical courses and outcomes were detected across waves. While the pandemic continues, and new SARS-CoV-2 variants are being identified, a worldwide monitoring of COVID-19 in pediatric CF patients is needed.
Background and Objectives: Swallowing disorders lead to chronic lung aspiration. Early detection and treatment of aspiration in children with dysphagia is important to prevent lung damage. Diagnosis of aspiration, which may be silent, requires an instrumental study such as fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). Despite its usefulness, it is rarely practiced by pediatric pulmonologists. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and utility of FEES performed in the pediatric respiratory unit of a tertiary hospital, analyze the clinical characteristics, endoscopic findings and proposed treatments, and identify the factors associated with penetration or aspiration. Methods: Medical records of 373 children with suspected aspiration who were referred to the pediatric respiratory unit for FEES were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical characteristics, FEES findings, and the proposed treatments were analyzed. Results: Aspiration was seen in 47.9% of the patients. The most common associated conditions were neurological disease and prematurity. The most frequently observed endoscopic finding was altered laryngeal sensitivity (36.5%). Intervention was recommended in 54.2 % of the patients. Complications were not seen during any of the procedures. Conclusions: The FEES procedure performed by pediatric pulmonologists is a reliable method for diagnosing aspiration in children. It can be safely executed by trained pulmonologists, and significant endoscopic signs other than aspiration can guide in the diagnosis and management recommendations.