Is It Safe for Children Younger Than 2 Years to Wear Surgical Masks?

An Italian study showed no adverse effects on oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, or pulse rate in both young children (<2 years) and older children (2–12 years).

Although face masks are an important tool to reduce spread of SARS-CoV-2, whether they are safe for children <2 years is unknown. Investigators in Italy studied this question in a cohort of 22 healthy children aged 4 to <24 months (median, 12.5 months; group A) and 25 children aged 24 to 144 months (median, 100 months; group B). They measured the children's partial pressure of end-tidal CO₂ (PET CO₂), oxygen saturation (SaO₂), respiratory rate (RR), pulse rate (PR), and perfusion index (PI) 15 minutes before and 0, 15, and 30 minutes after two 30-minute study periods of usual play. The children wore surgical masks with three layers in the second period. Group B children also were tested after 12 minutes of brisk walking while wearing masks.…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

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Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Is It Safe for Children Younger Than 2 Years to Wear Surgical Masks?

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Reviewing Author