ENT pediatric infection diseases and its relationship with COVID-19. Results of a retrospective cohort study in Madrid, Spain.

Abstract

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, ENT infections decreased but became more severe when combined with COVID-19. Post-pandemic, there has been a notable rise in ENT infections globally, particularly ear infections. In our region, we observed an increase in complicated pediatric ENT infections requiring urgent surgical intervention after the end of preventive measures. This study investigates the changes in ENT infection profiles in Madrid, Spain, following the pandemic.

Material and methods: We analyzed data from children who underwent urgent ENT surgical interventions at a Spanish tertiary hospital between January 2018 and December 2023. The data was divided into three groups: pre-pandemic (1st group), during the pandemic with preventive measures (2nd group), and post-pandemic after the removal of these measures (3rd group). Variables included demographics, clinical data, imaging, treatment, and hospitalization duration.

Results: The study involved 87 children (58.6% male) with a mean age of 6.4 years. There was a significant overall increase in ENT infections in the 3rd group compared to the 1st and 2nd groups (p = 0.036). Specifically, ear infections increased significantly after the removal of social measures (p = 0.033). In the 3rd group, Streptococcus pyogenes infections increased (p = 0.028), with Amoxicillin becoming the predominant treatment (p = 0.047), as opposed to Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid used for Fusobacterium in earlier periods (p = 0.00).

Discussion and conclusion: The pandemic has shifted the ENT infection profile, with increased ear infections and a rise in Group A streptococcus post-pandemic. This underscores the need for updated treatment strategies for pediatric ENT infections.