Italian pediatric respiratory society recommendations on pediatric pulmonary function testing during COVID-19 pandemic

Ital J Pediatr. 2020 May 24;46(1):68. doi: 10.1186/s13052-020-00829-0.

Abstract

Background: Effective prevention and control strategies are mandatory to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Main text: The Italian Pediatric Respiratory Society promotes a series of new recommendations that should be followed in pulmonary function testing laboratories during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion: Pulmonary function testing should be performed in children with chronic lung disease only if it is needed to guide management and limited to the necessary tests, namely spirometry. When performed, strict infection control measures should be followed due to the potential risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords: COVID-19; Children; Pulmonary function testing; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Child
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / physiopathology
  • Global Health
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / physiopathology
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Respiratory Function Tests / standards
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Societies, Medical*