Association of Virus-Induced Wheezing With COVID-19

Kashlout, Mohammed; Amer, Osama Taha; Marei, Ayman Mohamed; Risha, Amr I.

doi:10.21608/zumj.2022.127884.2525

Association of Virus-Induced Wheezing With COVID-19

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Almergeb University, Libya

² Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt

³ Department of Microbiology Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt

10.21608/zumj.2022.127884.2525

Abstract

Background: Viral respiratory tract infections are the most common triggers of wheezing illnesses in children. Though rare, COVID-19 infection in children may trigger a viral-induced wheeze that requires distinguishing from other viral and asthma triggers. With the ongoing pandemic, a rapid increase in wheezing-related illnesses may be theoretically anticipated. However, COVID-19 induced wheezing is currently thought to be rare. Objectives: The current study aimed to assess the role of COVID- 19 in causation of viral induced wheeze in pediatrics age group in our locality. Methods: The study included 30 pediatrics cases ≥ 2 months attending the Emergency Room and Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospital. The standard technique for confirming COVID-19 is the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: 30 children hospitalized with wheezing, 24 patients (80%) presented with difficult breathing, 18 patients (60%) were feverish, and 17 patients (56.7%) had cough. Running nose was noted in 9 patients (30%), grunting was observed in only one patient (3.3%). The mean O2 saturation of all patients was 91.8±2.6 and ranged from (92-95%). GIT manifestation was reported in 13.3%. The two confirmed cases has positive PCR test for Covid-19, a 7 year old male and a 5 year old female. Positive family history of COVID-19 was reported in both cases, neither of them has blood eosinophilia, they were on regular controller medication. Patients presented with wheeze, cough, difficult breathing, with no grunting or GIT manifestation. Conclusion: Covid-19 is uncommon cause of viral induced wheeze among our patients.

Keywords