Premium
Managing childhood allergies and immunodeficiencies during respiratory virus epidemics – The 2020 COVID‐19 pandemic: A statement from the EAACI‐section on pediatrics
Author(s) -
Brough Helen A.,
Kalayci Omer,
Sediva Anna,
Untersmayr Eva,
Munblit Daniel,
Rodriguez del Rio Pablo,
VazquezOrtiz Marta,
Arasi Stefania,
AlvaroLozano Montserrat,
Tsabouri Sophia,
Galli Elena,
Beken Burcin,
Eigenmann Philippe A.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
pediatric allergy and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.269
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1399-3038
pISSN - 0905-6157
DOI - 10.1111/pai.13262
Subject(s) - medicine , allergy , pandemic , asthma , pediatrics , intensive care medicine , disease , covid-19 , immunology , family medicine , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Abstract While the world is facing an unprecedented pandemic with COVID‐19, patients with chronic diseases need special attention and if warranted adaptation of their regular treatment plan. In children, allergy and asthma are among the most prevalent non‐communicable chronic diseases, and healthcare providers taking care of these patients need guidance. At the current stage of knowledge, children have less severe symptoms of COVID‐19, and severe asthma and immunodeficiency are classified as risk factors. In addition, there is no evidence that currently available asthma and allergy treatments, including antihistamines, corticosteroids, and bronchodilators, increase the risk of severe disease from COVID‐19. Most countries affected by COVID‐19 have opted for nationwide confinement, which means that communication with the primary clinician is often performed by telemedicine. Optimal disease control of allergic, asthmatic, and immunodeficient children should be sought according to usual treatment guidelines. This statement of the EAACI Section on Pediatrics puts forward six recommendations for the management of childhood allergies and immunodeficiencies based on six underlying facts and existing evidence.