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  • Bronchiolitis in COVID-19 t...
    Van Brusselen, Daan; De Troeyer, Katrien; ter Haar, Eva; Vander Auwera, Ann; Poschet, Katleen; Van Nuijs, Sascha; Bael, An; Stobbelaar, Kim; Verhulst, Stijn; Van Herendael, Bruno; Willems, Philippe; Vermeulen, Melissa; De Man, Jeroen; Bossuyt, Nathalie; Vanden Driessche, Koen

    European journal of pediatrics, 06/2021, Letnik: 180, Številka: 6
    Journal Article

    Stay-at-home orders, physical distancing, face masks and other non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) do not only impact COVID-19, but also the dynamics of various other infectious diseases. Bronchiolitis is a clinically diagnosed viral infection of the lower respiratory tract, and causes a yearly seasonal wave of admissions in paediatric wards worldwide. We counted 92,5% less bronchiolitis hospitalisations in Antwerp before the expected end of the peak this year (of which only 1 RSV positive), as compared to the last 3 years. Furthermore, there was a >99% reduction in the number of registered RSV cases in Belgium. Conslusion: The 2020 winter bronchiolitis peak is hitherto nonexistent, but we fear a ‘delayed’ spring/summer bronchiolitis peak when most NPIs will be relaxed and pre-pandemic life restarts. What is known? • Bronchiolitis causes a yearly seasonal wave of admissions in paediatric departments worldwide. • Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) do not only impact COVID-19, but also the dynamics of various other infectious diseases. What is new? • The 2020 winter bronchiolitis peak is hitherto nonexistent. • A ‘delayed’ spring or summer bronchiolitis peak could happen when most NPIs will be relaxed and pre-pandemic life restarts.