Impact of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in pediatric cervical abscesses

Abstract

Objective: Compare the incidence and management of pediatric cervical abscesses (PCA) during the COVID-19 pandemic with a reference cohort. Study Design: Retrospective observational. Methods: Surgically treated PCA cases from January/2015 to July/2021 were reviewed, categorized into pre-COVID-19 (January/2015 to February/2020) and COVID-19 (March/2020 to July/2021) groups. Incidence, demographic data, etiology, diagnostic methods, surgical approaches and outcomes were evaluated. Results: Sixty-eight cases were included, seven in the COVID-19 group. During this period, there was a lower incidence rate (p <0.01) of PCA with a higher proportion originated from salivary gland’s infections (p = 0.020) and involvement of the parotid space (p = 0.042). Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated pathogen in the COVID-19 group (p = 0.002). No differences were found regarding hospital stay, need for re-intervention, or intensive care. Conclusion: There was a decline in pediatric cervical abscess incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic with similar approaches and outcomes.

Keywords

• Abscess
• Pediatrics
• COVID-19
• Pandemics
• Incidence