TY - JOUR T1 - Absence of Severe Complications From SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children With Rheumatic Diseases Treated With Biologic Drugs JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol SP - 1343 LP - 1344 DO - 10.3899/jrheum.200483 VL - 48 IS - 8 AU - Giovanni Filocamo AU - Francesca Minoia AU - Simone Carbogno AU - Stefania Costi AU - Micol Romano AU - Rolando Cimaz Y1 - 2021/08/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/48/8/1343.1.abstract N2 - To the Editor:We read with interest the editorial by Cron and Chatham1 suggesting a cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) occurring in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and, consequently, a possible role for targeted approaches to blocking inflammatory cytokines.Almost 30% of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) develop severe acute respiratory distress syndrome with a high mortality rate2. In those critically ill patients, there are clinical signs and symptoms, as well as laboratory abnormalities, that suggest a CSS is occurring in response to the viral infection1.In contrast to adults, pediatric patients with COVID-19 seem to have a milder clinical course and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections may be frequent3. However, albeit rarely, severe infections may occur even in children, with pediatric intensive care unit admission or high-flow ventilation. In a recent Spanish cohort, 60% of confirmed infections in children required hospitalization4.COVID-19 pediatric transmission routes include close contact with family members, exposure to epidemic areas, or … Address correspondence to Dr. G. Filocamo, Pediatric Rheumatology, Pediatric Medium Intensity Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Clinica De Marchi, Via della Commenda, 9, 20122 Milan, Italy. Email: giovanni.filocamo{at}policlinico.mi.it. ER -