SARS-CoV-2 Positivity Not Linked to New Asthma Diagnosis in Children
In a recent study published in Pediatrics, researchers have found no evidence to suggest that a positive SARS-CoV-2 test in children increases their risk of developing asthma within 18 months.
Study Findings
The study, involving over 27,000 children aged 1 to 16, compared the risk of new asthma diagnoses between those who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and those who tested negative. The results showed no significant difference in the risk of asthma development between the two groups.
Factors Associated with Asthma Diagnosis
While SARS-CoV-2 positivity was not found to be a risk factor for asthma, the study did identify several other factors that were associated with an increased risk of developing asthma in children, including:
- Black race
- Food allergies
- Allergic rhinitis
For children under the age of 5, preterm birth and higher body mass index were also found to be risk factors for asthma.
Implications
The findings of this study are reassuring for families and healthcare providers, as they suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection does not pose an additional risk of asthma development in children, at least within the first 18 months after infection.
“This information may be useful for families and providers alike in the prognostication of the long-term respiratory effects after SARS-CoV-2 infection in children,” said Dr. James P. Senter, senior author of the study.
Limitations of the Study
It’s important to note that this study has some limitations. The data used was collected through electronic health records, which may not capture all cases of asthma. Additionally, the study only followed children for 18 months after their SARS-CoV-2 test, and it’s possible that the risk of asthma development could increase over a longer period of time.
Conclusion
Based on the findings of this study, it appears that SARS-CoV-2 infection does not significantly increase the risk of asthma development in children within the first 18 months. However, further research is needed to assess the long-term respiratory effects of COVID-19 in children.