The goal of this observational study is to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perioperative outcomes in children with preoperative URTI symptoms and to explore whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected the additional surgical risk associated with preoperative URTI symptoms. The main question it aims to answer is the appropriate timing of elective non-cardiac surgery in the post-COVID-19 era.

This study aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perioperative outcomes in children with preoperative URTI symptoms and to explore whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected the additional surgical risk associated with preoperative URTI symptoms. The findings will provide evidence-based guidance for optimizing surgical timing decisions in the post-COVID-19 era.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 0-12 years
• ASA physical status classification I-III
• Undergoing non-cardiac surgery
• Children presenting with mild URTI symptoms within 2 weeks before surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presenting with severe underlying diseases (e.g., congenital heart disease, immunodeficiency)
• Presenting with a single symptom of fever that can be explained by other diseases
• Day surgery
• Children with abnormal preoperative chest X-rays

Pediatric patients aged 0-12 years who underwent elective non-cardiac surgery at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology between January 2015 and December 2024.

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