Cheng Alan T, Watson Antonia L, Picardo Naina
Department of Paediatric ENT, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, NSW Westmead, Australia.
Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW Australia.
Curr Otorhinolaryngol Rep. 2022;10(4):456-463. doi: 10.1007/s40136-022-00422-5. Epub 2022 Aug 9.
The current COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the international paediatric otolaryngology community: we review its impact in clinical, resource, and human settings.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, while generally mild in paediatric populations, has caused an increased incidence in severe croup, invasive fungal sinus disease, and multi system inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). The incidence of other common otolaryngology presentations such as otitis media and tonsillitis has decreased due to quarantine measures. The pandemic has also changed the way in which we work: guidelines for aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) have changed, digital technology and videoconferencing platforms have flourished, and new pathways of providing healthcare have been developed to minimise footfall and avoid overcrowded waiting rooms. Finally, the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect healthcare workers and patients cannot be understated, although the mental and physical toll is considerable.
There has been a tectonic shift in paediatric otolaryngology and healthcare globally. Continued adaptability and resilience are required to face these challenges in the coming months. With lessons learnt from managing SARS-CoV-2, we are hopefully well equipped to combat any future pandemics.
当前的新冠疫情给国际小儿耳鼻喉科领域带来了挑战：我们将审视其在临床、资源和人力方面的影响。
严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2（SARS-CoV-2）病毒在儿童群体中通常症状较轻，但导致了重症喉炎、侵袭性真菌性鼻窦炎和多系统炎症综合征（MIS-C）发病率上升。由于隔离措施，中耳炎和扁桃体炎等其他常见耳鼻喉科疾病的发病率有所下降。疫情还改变了我们的工作方式：产生气溶胶操作（AGP）的指南发生了变化，数字技术和视频会议平台蓬勃发展，并且已经开发出提供医疗保健的新途径，以尽量减少人员走动并避免候诊室过度拥挤。最后，个人防护装备（PPE）对保护医护人员和患者的重要性不容小觑，尽管其对身心造成的负担相当大。
全球小儿耳鼻喉科和医疗保健领域发生了重大转变。在未来几个月里，需要持续具备适应能力和恢复力来应对这些挑战。通过从应对SARS-CoV-2中吸取的经验教训，我们有望做好充分准备应对未来的任何疫情。
