Pediatric Pulmonary Function Testing in COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond. A Position Statement From the Hellenic Pediatric Respiratory Society

• Main Authors: Sotirios Fouzas (Author), Dimos Gidaris (Author), Nikolaos Karantaglis (Author), Harry Opsimos (Author), Emmanouil I. Alexopoulos (Author), Konstantinos Douros (Author), Fotios Kirvassilis (Author), Emmanouil Paraskakis (Author), Michael B. Anthracopoulos (Author), Markos Marangos (Author), Ioannis Tsanakas (Author), the Hellenic Pediatric Respiratory Society (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A., 2021-05-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

As the COVID-19 pandemic is still evolving, guidelines on pulmonary function testing that may dynamically adapt to sudden epidemiologic changes are required. This paper presents the recommendations of the Hellenic Pediatric Respiratory Society (HPRS) on pulmonary function testing in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 era. Following an extensive review of the relevant literature, we recommend that pulmonary function tests should be carried out after careful evaluation of the epidemiologic load, structured clinical screening of all candidates, and application of special protective measures to minimize the risk of viral cross infection. These principles have been integrated into a dynamic action plan that may readily adapt to the phase of the pandemic.

Item Description

2296-2360
10.3389/fped.2021.673322