Reversible peripheral airway obstruction and lung hyperinflation in children presenting with dyspnea and exercise intolerance after COVID-19 infection

Children infected with coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection generally report milder symptoms compared with the more acute symptoms of adults;1 however, a subset experience persistent symptoms after infection. The most prominent symptoms of “long-coronavirus disease 2019” (COVID) are psychological symptoms and dyspnea that can significantly affect quality of life by limiting daily activities.2-4 The pathophysiology of post-COVID pediatric dyspnea is not well described, and the lack of objective criteria may lead some practitioners to assume a psychological trigger, especially when spirometry values are normal.