Post-COVID-19 affects children’s respiratory function, how to detect?

More than 2 weeks after being negative for SARS-CoV-2, the 10-year-old girl suddenly coughed a lot, was short of breath, poorly ventilated lungs, CT scan showed pneumonia, had to be hospitalized immediately.

The baby was taken by his mother to a private hospital in Phu Tho 15 days after having negative results for SARS-CoV-2. During the 2 weeks after being cured, the baby no longer had any symptoms such as cough, fever, etc. However, 2 days after being admitted to the hospital, he had a dry cough, no sputum, no chest pain, the family took him to the hospital. examination hospital.

The doctor advised that the baby needs to be hospitalized for treatment because he was short of breath, poorly ventilated lungs, the chest computed tomography scan showed pneumonia. The results of the baby’s examination surprised the family because after the baby recovered, there were no abnormal signs of health for 15 days.

Post-COVID-19 in children is mainly related to the respiratory tract

The most common post-COVID-19 syndrome in children is mostly related to the respiratory tract, such as a lot of cough, prolonged cough, feeling of heaviness in the chest, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Dieu Thuy shared that during the recent post-COVID-19 examination for nearly 20 cases, it was found that post-COVID-19 affected children’s respiratory function. “30% have mild lung damage,” said Dr. Thuy.

The question is how much influence and how to detect these effects?

On the advice of BS. Thuy, parents have to observe whether the child is tired? Does the child climb the stairs tired or out of breath or does the child rarely run or jump, panting? Do not wait until the child is seriously progressing and has difficulty breathing before going to the doctor.

If the child has the above abnormal signs, the doctor will appoint a cardiopulmonary scan, measuring respiratory function for at-risk cases. However, the measurement of respiratory function can only be done with children aged 6 years and older, because these children only have to cooperate with medical staff. For young children, the scan is only done, if there is an abnormality, a CT scan can be taken to determine the extent of the damage.

Children with real lung damage will have different treatment depending on the severity – mild. Older children over 12 years old can do the same exercises as adults; Young children do gentle rehabilitation exercises such as blowing balls, gradually increasing intensity…

Children need to continue to clean their nose and throat every day, encourage them to walk, do gentle exercise to gradually adapt because often after COVID-19 in children is not severe – Pediatric experts recommend.

T Nguyen