Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation of blood in critical COVID-19 paediatric patients: 2 cases reported

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the highly contagious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in widespread global morbidity and mortality, primarily affecting adults. However, the prevalence of severe illness in children is significantly lower, with most paediatric cases presenting mild symptoms or remaining asymptomatic. A minority of cases can progress to critical illness with respiratory and circulatory failure, particularly in children with underlying medical conditions. Such cases may necessitate hospitalisation, paediatric intensive care, and ventilatory support. Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may develop and, in some instances, does not improve with optimal treatment. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be a life-saving therapy in these situations. Data were retrospectively collected from the medical records of patients admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital 2. This paper presents the successful treatment of two paediatric patients with COVID-19-related ARDS who required ECMO due to their critical condition. These cases underscore the potential of ECMO as a critical therapeutic option when conventional interventions fail in paediatric patients.