RESUMO
Background It is not known whether children born very preterm have an increased risk of severe symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection and whether a history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) relates to more severe sympto-matology. We aimed to describe the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the severity of symptoms in a sample of children with and without BPD born at a gestational age below 32 weeks, between 2006 and 2019 in the Zurich area, in comparison to their siblings born at term (≥ 37 weeks). Methods Parents were invited to complete an online survey for their preterm child as well as for a term sibling of similar age, between May 2021 and January 2022. The survey included questions about SARS-CoV-2 confirmed infec-tion, symptoms and treatment. Results The survey was completed for 654 preterm children (270 with prior BPD) and for 189 term children aged 2 to 15 years. 28 (7%) preterm children without BPD, 15 (6%) preterm children with BPD and 22 (12%) term chil-dren were infected by SARS-CoV-2. Out of the infected, the proportion of children with respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, shortness of breath) was higher in premature children with BPD (67%), than in preterm children without BPD (25%) and slightly higher than in those born at term (59%). In all groups, the majority of children had only mild symptoms. No child had to be hospitalised and only one preterm child with BPD required oxygen. Conclusion Very preterm children with BPD may be more likely to experience respir-atory symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, similar to chil-dren born at term, most very preterm children with and without BPD de-veloped mild symptoms only.