The clinical features and impact of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 infection in children with Cystic Fibrosis (CF): A Qatari experience

• Published in: Qatar medical journal Vol. 2023; no. 3; p. 19
• Main Authors: Hamad, Sara G, Kammouh, Hiba, Alamri, Mohammed, Zahraldin, Khalid
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Qatar HBKU Press 2023
• Subjects: Research Paper; CF: Cystic Fibrosis; SARS-CoV-2: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; COVID-19: Coronavirus disease 2019
• ISSN: 0253-8253; 2227-0426
• DOI: 10.5339/qmj.2023.19

SARS-CoV-2 in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) has been reported to cause mild illness without pre-existing severe lung disease. This review described the clinical presentation and course of COVID-19 infection in children with CF in Qatar. The pediatric CF registry of 51 patients in Qatar was reviewed for COVID-19 cases from February 2020 to February 2022. Demographics, vaccination status, symptoms, and course were reviewed. Data were expressed as median, range, frequencies, and percentages. The study included eight patients with CF below 18 years of age infected with COVID-19. The incidence of COVID-19 in children with CF was 15.7%. The median age was 11 (2-18) years. Half of the cohort were males. Seven patients were pancreatic sufficient (I1234V mutation), and one was pancreatic insufficient (3129del4 mutation). The median baseline FEV1 was 91 (78-107%) predicted. None had received CFTR modulators or undergone a lung transplant. Three patients were vaccinated before their infections. Two of them were asymptomatic. Six patients (75%) had a cough and flu-like symptoms. Three patients had a fever. Two patients were hospitalized due to pulmonary exacerbation; both had mild CF-lung disease. None required respiratory support. We report a favorable outcome of COVID-19 infection in children with CF, similar to published international studies. Our findings are attributable to the community-dominant milder CFTR mutation, precautionary measures, and causative COVID-19 strain. More longitudinal data are needed to study these factors as potential protective mechanisms.