The Influence of Wearing Surgical and FFP2 Face Masks on Physiological Parameters in Children and Adolescents – a Pilot Study

Background

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing face masks has become common in adults, but also in children and adolescents. Also, WHO and UNICEF have launched age-adapted recommendations for face mask use in children (Kerbl R, Monatsschr Kinderheilkd. 2021; 169(2):97–98), )(WHO/2019-nCoV/IPC_Masks/Children/2020.1.), (WHO-2019-nCoV-ipc-guideline-2022.1) Many parents are however concerned about such recommendations/regulations and argue that face masks might cause hypoxemia and hypercapnia. In healthy adults, several studies have proved that the use of face masks has no adverse effect on blood gases and other physiological parameters (Eberhart M et al., Acta Paediatr. 2021; 110 (6):1778–1783). In children, however only few studies on this issue have been published thus far (Yam Thiam Goh D et al., Sci Rep 2019; 9 (1): 18952), (Lubrano R et al., JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4(3): e210414). One study reporting a significantly increased inhaled CO2 level had to be withdrawn soon after publication due to methodological errors. (Walach H, JAMA Pediatr. 2021; e212659) It was therefore aim of our pilot study to clarify in which way wearing different types of face masks might influence physiological parameters and mostly blood gases. In addition, participants were asked to report about their long-term experience/feeling when wearing face masks.

Publication History

Article published online:
31 January 2023