After the World Health Organization declared pandemic status and implemented restrictive measures to counter the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), there was a reduction in major pediatric diseases caused by common seasonal viruses. The typical increase in pediatric outpatient visits and workload in emergency departments and hospital wards that characterizes the winter season, usually dominated by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza viruses, was not seen. Diseases such as bronchiolitis, asthma, and gastroenteritis, the protagonists of pediatric age, had drastically reduced or disappeared. This commentary,preparedby theSocial Pediatrics Working Group of the European Association of Pediatrics, Union of National Pediatric Societies and Associations, reports and briefly discusses data from the literature and the impact of preventive measures, established in various countries to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, on the seasonal epidemiology of various pediatric infectious diseases. The purpose of the article is to raise awareness of this anthropogenic epidemiologic phenomenon and to emphasize the importance of being adequately trained to properly address this new challenge in their practice.

Epidemiologic Changes Caused by the Preventive Measures for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: An Additional Challenge for Pediatricians

Massimo Pettoello-Mantovani
;
Ida Giardino
Investigation
;
2023-01-01

Abstract

After the World Health Organization declared pandemic status and implemented restrictive measures to counter the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), there was a reduction in major pediatric diseases caused by common seasonal viruses. The typical increase in pediatric outpatient visits and workload in emergency departments and hospital wards that characterizes the winter season, usually dominated by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza viruses, was not seen. Diseases such as bronchiolitis, asthma, and gastroenteritis, the protagonists of pediatric age, had drastically reduced or disappeared. This commentary,preparedby theSocial Pediatrics Working Group of the European Association of Pediatrics, Union of National Pediatric Societies and Associations, reports and briefly discusses data from the literature and the impact of preventive measures, established in various countries to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, on the seasonal epidemiology of various pediatric infectious diseases. The purpose of the article is to raise awareness of this anthropogenic epidemiologic phenomenon and to emphasize the importance of being adequately trained to properly address this new challenge in their practice.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11369/466212
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