Compare Indications and Findings of Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy in Children Before and During the COVID-19 Outbreak

 The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) dramatically impacts healthcare delivery. Pulmonary diagnostic procedures have had frequent disruptions during this pandemic.

 This study aimed to discover how the COVID-19 pandemic affected pediatric flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

 This retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out on pediatric patients who underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy at a tertiary pediatric hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Procedural analysis was done from 20 March 2019 to 20 February 2020 (the pre-pandemic period) and 20 March 2020 to 20 February 2021 (during the pandemic period). The two groups were compared with regard to bronchoscopic indications and findings.

 Our results from the data registry showed that within (group 1), 290 patients vs. 241 patients from 20 March 2020 till 20 February 2021 (group 2) were admitted to the operation room at least once for bronchoscopy procedures. Although the findings of foreign body aspiration in bronchoscopy were more frequent in group 2, this difference was not significant in the two groups (P = 0.055). The number of cases without abnormality in group 2 was significantly less than in group 1 (P = 0.006). The prevalence of Laryngomalacia was also significantly higher in group 2 (P = 0.000).

 Our results confirmed the reduction of bronchoscopy in children after the COVID-19 epidemic. However, there was no change in the immediate indications for bronchoscopy, and this pandemic had the most significant impact on elective bronchoscopy.