Pediatric anesthetic implications of COVID-19—A review of current literature

Abstract

Pediatric anesthetists have an important role to play in the management of patients suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19. In many institutions, the COVID-19 intubation teams are staffed with anesthetists as the proceduralists working throughout the hospitals also in the ICU and Emergency Departments. As practitioners who perform aerosol generating procedures involving the airway, we are at high risk of exposure to the virus SARS-CoV-2 and need to ensure we are well prepared and trained to manage such cases. This article reviews the relevant pediatric literature surrounding COVID-19 and summarizes the key recommendations for anesthetists involved in the care of children during this pandemic.