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World J Methodol. Jan 20, 2022; 12(1): 20-31
Published online Jan 20, 2022. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v12.i1.20
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic related morbidity and mortality in patients with pediatric surgical diseases: A concerning challenge
George Vaos, Nikolaos Zavras
George Vaos, Nikolaos Zavras, Department of Paediatric Surgery, “ATTIKON” University General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens 12462, Greece
Author contributions: Vaos G conceived, wrote, and revised the manuscript; Zavras N performed the literature search and analyzed the collected data.
Conflict-of-interest statement: Dr. Vaos has nothing to disclose.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: George Vaos, MD, PhD, Emeritus Professor, Department of Paediatric Surgery, “ATTIKON” University General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, 1 Rimini Street, Haidari, Athens 12462, Greece. gvaos@med.uoa.gr
Received: February 23, 2021
Peer-review started: February 23, 2021
First decision: June 17, 2021
Revised: July 1, 2021
Accepted: November 15, 2021
Article in press: November 15, 2021
Published online: January 20, 2022
Processing time: 327 Days and 17.5 Hours
Abstract

The global spread of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has had serious consequences in terms of patient morbidity and mortality and overburdened health care systems as well as the socioeconomic implications. In the absence of effective therapies and vaccinations during the viral outbreak, the major and most concise means to control viral spread is spread prevention. Although information concerning the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on pediatric surgical patients has greatly expanded, relevant comprehensive studies are scarce. However, pandemic related morbidity has increased, while under normal circumstances mortality could have been minimized.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Pandemic, Pediatric surgery; Children; Morbidity; Mortality

Core Tip: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic related morbidity and mortality have been increased in children. Moreover, pandemic may manifest additional clinical problems. Pediatric surgeons must be aware of the different forms and symptoms in children affected by coronavirus disease 2019 infection.