Respiratory admissions and impact of COVID‐19 lockdowns for children with severe cerebral palsy

• DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.16346
• Publication Date: 2025-05-09T06:41:04Z
• Authors: Susan M. Reid; Moya Vendeleur; Danielle Wurzel; Katherine Frayman; Joshua Osowicki; Kylie Crompton; Gordon Baikie; Giuliana Antolovich; Angela Guzys; Monica S. Cooper
• Keywords: Respiratory illness; Medical record

Abstract Aim To explore factors contributing to the burden of respiratory admissions in children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) by comparing a single tertiary paediatric hospital before, during, and after period social restrictions implemented reduce transmission COVID‐19 (lockdown period). Method For this observational study, three CP cohorts (pre‐lockdown, lockdown, post‐lockdown) were identified from state‐wide register linked patient‐level clinical demographic data. Medical records manually searched identify hospitalizations. Frequency details compared across 2‐year periods. Results During lockdown period, there 24 hospitalizations for illness per 100 37 47 pre‐lockdown post‐lockdown periods ( p < 0.001). Respiratory viruses (excluding picornaviruses) detected only 7% 24% 30% post‐lockdown. Sputum sampling was performed 34% gram‐positive bacteria cultured 6% gram‐negative 18%. Interpretation The study findings highlight an important dynamic contribution viral infections illnesses potential improve outcomes personalized approaches based on defining individual predisposing recurrent admissions.