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More than a year and a half after the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, symptoms, such as loss of smell and taste (anosmia and ageusia, respectively), remain difficult to characterize and quantify, especially in children, since no validated tests to assess these disorders are available. However, these symptoms can also be seen in children, although less frequently than observed in the adult population. In this article, we present the results of a national survey that collected the responses of 267 Italian pediatricians on the presence of anosmia and ageusia in children affected by COVID‐19. These data were then compared with existing literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, type 2 inflammation has been recognized as one of the most critical factors participating in the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis (CF). On the one hand, type 2 inflammation restores tissue homeostasis and contributes to the resolution of inflammation following an injury. On the other hand, type 2 response‐activated immune cells may become dysregulated or chronically activated, causing tissue fibrosis. Among the type 2 cytokine‐driven inflammatory pathways, the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), interleukin (IL)‐17, IL‐33, and IL‐13 have been identified as essential mediators in patients suffering from CF. Given their critical role, we firmly believe that an adequate comprehension of the type 2‐mediated pathways can identify attractive targets to decrease pharmacologically the inflammation and fibrosis occurring in the pulmonary tissue of patients suffering from CF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical spectrum of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is mixed. It ranges from asymptomatic cases, medium‐intensity forms with mild to moderate symptoms, to severe ones with bilateral lung involvement and respiratory distress, which can require transfer to ICUs and intubation. In most cases, the clinical picture is characterized by a persistent fever, cough, dyspnoea, expectoration, myalgias, arthralgias, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms, nasal congestion, and pharyngodynia. The spread of COVID‐19 in Europe has highlighted an atypical presentation of disease involving upper airways and, above all, dysfunction of olfactory and gustatory senses. There is ample evidence that COVID‐19 is significantly less severe in children than in adults. However, due to difficulties in assessing the disorder in children, especially among very young patients, the olfaction and gustatory dysfunctions remain open issues. This article sheds light on the upper airway involvement in pediatric COVID‐19 subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a pulmonary disease caused by Aspergillus induced hypersensitivity that occurs in immunocompetent but susceptible patients with asthma and/or cystic fibrosis (CF). In children, ABPA remains mostly undiagnosed resulting in one of the most common causes of poorly controlled asthma and highly significant morbidity in children with CF. Currently, no specific diagnostic criteria of ABPA for children are available. Corticosteroids and itraconazole are the mainstays of therapy although there is a lack of randomized clinical trials regarding their usefulness for ABPA in children. Several monoclonal antibodies, such as omalizumab and mepolizumab, may be potential therapies for refractory ABPA in pediatric patients; however, further data are required to clarify the optimal dose and duration of therapy as a routine treatment approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) diagnosis is based on molecular detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in respiratory samples such as nasal swab (NS). However, the evidence that NS in patients with pneumonia was sometimes negative raises the attention to collect other clinical specimens. SARS‐CoV‐2 was shown in 10.3% rectal swabs (RS), 7.7% plasma, 1% urine, and 0% feces from 143 NS‐positive patients. Potential infection by fluids different from respiratory secretion is possible but unlikely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antihistamines are currently one of the most commonly administered drugs in children. They are used to treat symptoms that depend on histamine release, namely allergic diseases, such as rhinitis, asthma, urticaria, and anaphylaxis. It is possible to distinguish first‐ and second‐generation antihistamines. Pharmacological effects and therapeutic indications are similar, but second‐generation antihistamines have fewer adverse effects because they are more selective for peripheral H1 receptors. Although they have been on the market for several years, there are still many adverse effects linked to the antihistamine safety profile, especially in the first years of life. Thus, many antihistamines are prescribed off‐label, especially in children younger than 2 years of age, which is the age‐group where most of the data on drug safety are lacking and many antihistamines are not recommended. This article aims to provide a practical update on the use of antihistamines in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To the Editor, We read with interest the comment by Schriever et al. about the published article, "COVID-19, anosmia, ageusia in atopic children" and as such, we thank the authors for giving us an opportunity to clarify some issues and update the literature.1 Although the article was published in 2022, it was written in the first half of 2021 and summarizes data from a survey conducted between February and March 2021. Although children with allergic pathology are more likely to develop olfactory dysfunction, our data suggests that allergy does not appear to be a predisposing factor to the development of SARS-CoV-2 infection or something more aggravating in the case of disease. The olfactory nerve is not a likely route to brain infection in COVID-19: a critical review of data from humans and animal models. [Extracted from the article]