Face masks and protection against COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections: Assessment of benefits and harms in children

• Published in: Paediatric respiratory reviews 2024-09
• Main Authors: Sandlund, Johanna, Duriseti, Ram, Ladhani, Shamez N., Stuart, Kelly, Noble, Jeanne, Beth Høeg, Tracy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Children; COVID-19; Face masks; Respiratory virus; SARS-CoV-2
• ISSN: 1526-0542; 1526-0550; 1526-0550
• DOI: 10.1016/j.prrv.2024.08.003

The reader will come to appreciate:•The evidence landscape of potential benefits and harms of mask use by children for COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections.•The diversity of concerns that have arisen about mask requirements for children.•The importance of prompt and transparent information accrual and communication by public health officials about the known benefits and potential harms of medical interventions, particularly for vulnerable populations. Mask mandates for children were implemented at schools and childcare centers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the US continues to recommend masking down to the age of two in certain settings. Medical interventions should be informed by high-quality evidence and consider the possibility of harm (i.e., include harm-benefit analyses). In this review, we weigh the existing evidence for the effectiveness of mask mandates to protect against COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections and the harms associated with face mask wearing in children. There is a lack of robust evidence of benefit from masking children to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or other respiratory viruses. The highest quality evidence available for masking children for COVID-19 or other viral respiratory infections has failed to find a beneficial impact against transmission. Mechanistic studies showing reduced viral transmission from use of face masks and respirators have not translated to real world effectiveness. Identified harms of masking include negative effects on communication and components of speech and language, ability to learn and comprehend, emotional and trust development, physical discomfort, and reduction in time and intensity of exercise. Effectiveness of child masking has not been demonstrated, while documented harms of masking in children are diverse and non-negligible and should prompt careful reflection. Recommendations for masking children fail basic harm-benefit analyses.