Long-Term Effect Of COVID-19 on Children's Lung Function: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

Akyan Soydaş, Şule; Ocak, Ece; Gençoğlu, Murat; Uytun, Salih; Özkan Tabakçı, Satı; Eryılmaz Polat, Sanem; Tuğcu, Gökçen; Girit, Saniye; Ayhan, Yetkin; Besli, Gülser; ÖCAL DEMİR, SEVLİYA; Çakır, Erkan; Yazan, Hakan; Türel, Özden; Bursal Duramaz, Burcu; Çokuğraş, Haluk; Ayzıt Kılınç, Ayşe; Kılıç Başkan, Azer; Önal, Pınar; Pekcan, Sevgi; Ünal, Gökçen; İmran Yılmaz, Aslı; Akcan, Özge; Kartal Öztürk, Gökçen; BEKEN, BURÇİN; KARADAĞ, BÜLENT; Eralp, Ela; GÖKDEMİR, YASEMİN; Hızal, Mina; Vezir, Emine; Aslan, AYŞE; Şişmanlar Eyüboğlu, TUĞBA; TAPISIZ, ANIL; Demirdağ, Tuğba; Öktem, Sedat; GÖK, EMİNE; Ünal, Füsun; KAŞIKCI ÇAVDAR, MERVE; Cinel, Güzin

doi:10.1002/ppul.71721

Long-Term Effect Of COVID-19 on Children's Lung Function: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

Akyan Soydaş Ş. S., Ocak E., Gençoğlu M. Y., Uytun S., Özkan Tabakçı S., Eryılmaz Polat S., ...Daha Fazla

Pediatric Pulmonology, cilt.61, sa.7, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
Cilt numarası: 61 Sayı: 7
Basım Tarihi: 2026
Doi Numarası: 10.1002/ppul.71721
Dergi Adı: Pediatric Pulmonology
Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
Anahtar Kelimeler: children, COVID-19, DLCO, plethysmography, pulmonary function tests, spirometry
Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Introduction-Aim: The study evaluates the long-term effect of COVID-19 on lung function in children, considering symptoms, physical examination findings, radiologic and laboratory evaluations during the acute infection period (AIP). Material and Methods: This prospective, longitudinal, multicenter study involved 270 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients underwent pulmonary function tests (PFTs) (spirometry, diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and plethysmography) at the 3rd and 6th months of follow-up. Clinical characteristics, radiological, and laboratory findings during AIP were analyzed to establish the relationship with PFT parameters on long-term follow-up. Results: The mean age was 12.97 ± 3.43 years (6–18 years), and 141(52.2%) were girls. Most patients had mild disease, while 193 patients were classified as having pneumonia. Overall mean PFT parameters were normal at the 3rd and 6th months, and FEV1%, FVC%, and DLCOadj% showed statistically significant longitudinal changes. Abnormal DLCOadj was observed in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia at the 6th month when compared with the non-pneumonia group (p = 0.046). At the 3rd month follow-up, comorbidities were independently associated with abnormal FEV1 (OR 6.30, 95% CI 2.61–15.17, p < 0.001) and abnormal FVC (OR 3.47, 95% CI 1.72–7.00, p < 0.001). Respiratory system related abnormal physical examination findings were also independently associated with abnormal FEV1 (OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.13–8.21, p = 0.028). Dyspnea showed a borderline association with abnormal FVC (OR 2.11, 95% CI 0.98–4.54, p = 0.057). Pathologic chest radiography, interlobular septal thickening on thorax CT, ground-glass opacity, fever, dyspnea, and respiratory system related abnormal physical examination findings during the AIP were associated with abnormal PFT parameters during follow-up. Disease severity scores did not differ significantly between children with normal and abnormal. Conclusions: Most children had preserved mean pulmonary function during follow-up after SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, children with COVID-19 pneumonia, comorbidities, and respiratory system related abnormal physical examination findings during the AIP may be at increased risk for persistent functional abnormalities. Follow-up assessment in higher-risk children should include spirometry, and DLCO measurement should be considered when feasible.