ArticleEuropean journal of pediatrics2025
Increase in benign acute childhood myositis in the post-COVID era: a retrospective study from a tertiary pediatric center.
Article in European journal of pediatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) for Children for the Prevention of Influenza Illness in Sweden: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.Infectious diseases and therapy · 2026Article
- The organization of pediatric care: the right care, from the right professional, at the right time and place: an editorial update.European journal of pediatrics · 2026Article
- Hospitalized Versus Outpatient Benign Acute Childhood Myositis: A 10-Year Single-Center Experience.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2026Article
- Burden and Clinical Characteristics of Influenza and Its Complications in Children Across Multiple Epidemic Seasons.Viruses · 2025Observational
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Authors and funding
12 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
Benign Acute Childhood Myositis (BACM) is a transient, self-limiting muscular condition that typically follows viral infections, especially influenza. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the circulation of respiratory viruses, altering the epidemiology of related post-infectious complications. This study investigates trends in BACM incidence, clinical features, and viral etiology before and after the pandemic. We conducted a retrospective study of BACM cases diagnosed at a tertiary children's hospital in Italy between August 2017 and June 2025. Cases were grouped into pre-COVID (2017-2021) and post-COVID (2021-2025) periods. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and virological data were analyzed. Incidence trends were compared with national ILI surveillance data. A total of 145 BACM cases were identified-28 pre-COVID and 117 post-COVID-corresponding to a 140% increase in incidence (IRR 2.41, 95% CI: 1.60-3.64, p < 0.001). Annual incidence rose progressively, closely mirroring the national trend in ILI circulation during the same period. Most cases occurred between December and February. Clinical presentation remained consistent, with a benign course and no major complications. Post-COVID cases showed significantly lower CK levels at discharge and shorter hospital stays (3 vs. 4 days, p = 0.011). Virological testing revealed a shift from influenza A (pre-COVID) to influenza B (post-COVID) as the predominant pathogen (p = 0.023).
conclusionsThe post-pandemic rise in BACM incidence parallels the resurgence of ILI in Italy, likely reflecting changes in population immunity and viral dynamics. Despite this increase, BACM continues to present as a mild and self-limiting condition. Ongoing surveillance and clinical awareness remain essential during peak viral seasons. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Benign Acute Childhood Myositis (BACM) is a temporary, self-limiting condition in children following viral infections, historically linked to influenza A. WHAT IS NEW: • The incidence of BACM increased by 140% post-COVID-19, mirroring the rise in influenza-like illness. • There was a shift in viral cause from influenza A to influenza B, with later cases showing shorter hospital stays and lower creatine kinase levels.
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