Abstract
Background: During the current ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,
studies had reported that patients with asthma would experience
increased asthma-associated morbidity because of the respiratory virus
SARS-CoV-2 infection, based on experience with other respiratory viral
infections. However, some studies suggested that there was no apparent
increase in asthma related morbidity in children with asthma, it is even
possible that due to reduced exposures due to confinement, such children
may have improved outcomes. In order to understand the impact of
Covid-19 on asthma control in children, we performed this systematic
review and meta-analysis.
Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library to
find literature from December 2019 to June 2021 related to Covid-19 and
children’s asthma control, among which results such as abstracts,
comments, letters, reviews and case reports were excluded. The level of
asthma control during the COVID-19 pandemic was synthesized and
discussed.
Results: A total of 20456 subjects were included in 7 studies.
Random effect model is used to account for the data. Compared to the
same period before the COVID-19 pandemic, asthma exacerbation, asthma
admission, emergency room visit reduced a lot. The outcome of use of
inhaled corticosteroids and Beta-2 agonists shows no significant
difference.
Conclusion: Compared to the same period before the COVID-19
pandemic and the measures in response to it, the level of asthma control
has been significantly improved. We need to understand the exact factors
leading to these improvements and find methods to sustain it.
Keywords: COVID-19, asthma control, children, systematic review
and meta-analysis