Suresh Kumar Angurana1, Lalit Takia2, Puspraj Awasthi2. 1. Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatric Center, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 160012, India. sureshangurana@gmail.com. 2. Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatric Center, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 160012, India.
To the Editor: We are happy to respond to the comments by Sookaromdee and Wiwanitkit [1] in response to our article "Impact of COVID-19 on Acute Viral Bronchiolitis Hospitalization Among Infants in North India" [2].The possible reasons for change in the incidence, hospitalization, and severity of acute viral bronchiolitis (AVB) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are infection prevention and control measures like widespread use of face masks, hand hygiene, and social isolation and distancing; closure of schools and daycare centers; restricted transport facilities; and limited accessibility to hospitals. Similar reasons have been proposed by authors from other parts of the world [3, 4].We commonly see the cases of AVB during the months of October to February (postmonsoon and winter season) (seasonal variation) [2, 5]. The pattern of AVB epidemiology might change on a yearly basis. However, the change in the number of admissions due to AVB in Pediatric emergency during the prepandemic and pandemic period was drastic [173 out of 3770 admissions (4.6%) vs. 8 of 1589 (0.5%) admissions, respectively, p = 0.001].Grimaud et al. [6] reported 2 infants (< 3 mo old) who presented with fever and neurological symptoms with history of contact with COVID-19 case in family. These infants developed features suggestive of AVB after a delay of 2–8 d. Their nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 RT‐PCR was positive but negative for RSV and influenza virus. This report highlighted the fact that the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection may cause AVB [6].There is need to monitor the epidemiology of respiratory diseases after COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of COVID-19 on occurrence and pattern of AVB; long-term effects of COVID-19 on the lungs (structure and function) of children; and impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection (a/symptomatic) on predisposition to recurrent wheezing or asthma need to be determined [6].
Authors: Daan Van Brusselen; Katrien De Troeyer; Eva Ter Haar; Ann Vander Auwera; Katleen Poschet; Sascha Van Nuijs; An Bael; Kim Stobbelaar; Stijn Verhulst; Bruno Van Herendael; Philippe Willems; Melissa Vermeulen; Jeroen De Man; Nathalie Bossuyt; Koen Vanden Driessche Journal: Eur J Pediatr Date: 2021-01-30 Impact factor: 3.860