Study: No Additional Risk for Asthma in Children After Positive COVID Test

A new study in the May 2024 edition of Pediatrics (published online April 12) reveals COVID-19 infection does not influence the development of asthma in young patients. “COVID-19 and Asthma Onset in Children” is a retrospective cohort study that examined children ages 1-16 within the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Care Network who received a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test during the first year of the pandemic. A positive test was not associated with new asthma diagnosis in the more than 27,000 children observed in the 18-month follow-up period. This contrasts data on other respiratory viral infections, such as rhinovirus or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which increase the risk for pediatric asthma development. Although multiple long-term health problems persist for some people who tested positive for COVID-19, the authors conclude an asthma diagnosis does not appear to be one for children – at least within the first 18 months after testing positive for COVID-19. 

###

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.