COVID-19 and preschool wheeze care: lessons learned

Abstract

The pattern of increasing visits to the emergency department by children younger than 5 years with preschool wheeze and other respiratory conditions has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March, 2020, presentations to the emergency department have decreased among children of all age groups, especially infants and preschool children who are the most frequent attenders. This notable change in asthma exacerbations in children has raised research interest into how the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to this change, and what lessons can be learned.