Publication date: Sep 05, 2025
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
Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| disease | MESH | myositis |
| disease | MESH | viral infections |
| disease | MESH | influenza |
| disease | MESH | COVID-19 pandemic |
| disease | MESH | complications |
| disease | MESH | etiology |
| disease | MESH | Acute Disease |