Physiotherapeutic intervention in a child with coronavirus in a reference hospital: case report

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Despite presenting less frequently, severe cases of COVID-19 can also affect the pediatric population. Considering this fact, the effectiveness of physiotherapy is evidenced, which consists of a therapeutic specialty that plays a fundamental role in the prevention and treatment of pulmonary complications. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical picture of a child with Congenital Heart Disease with positive Coronavirus and to address pediatric physiotherapeutic activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a case report of a 5-year-old, 11-month-old patient with a previous diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease of the following types: Artery Channel Persistence and Interventricular Communication. The patient was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of the Couto Maia Institute, presenting tachycardia, tachypnea, with peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) of 85% using a non-reinalin mask, with increased ventilatory work and productive cough at the verbal command. When performing RT-PCR, he obtained a positive result for the Coronavirus. RESULTS: The data collected through the analysis of medical records and clinical observation of the patient demonstrated that the physical therapy intervention, when using bronchial hygiene techniques, reexpansive maneuvers and active motor conducts, contributed to the clinical evolution of the patient, showing improvement in SpO2 and ventilatory discomfort. CONCLUSION: Physiotherapeutic interventions applied to this patient profile have shown positive results with regard to the improvement of gas exchange and respiratory discomfort, as well as appearing to influence the reduction in the risk of functional decline.