In March 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) declared the ‘’Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19)’’ pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on interventional procedures performed in a pediatric gastroenterology clinic. The procedures applied were compared both numerically and in terms of procedure indications before and after the pandemic. The total number of procedures for which appointments were made between March 12, 2019 - March 11, 2020 (first period) and March 12, 2020 - March 11, 2021 (second period) was 527 (69%- first period, 31%- second period, p<0.001). The median ages of patients for whom appointments were made between 2 periods were not different (11.16 vs 10.75 years, p>0.05). Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was the most frequently appointed procedure in both periods. The median ages of the patients according to the procedure types (upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, colonoscopy, liver biopsy, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) was significantly different in the first period (p=0.003), but not in the second period. Postponed procedure frequency was common in the second period (p=0.045). The median delay period was significantly longer in the second period (1 month vs 5 months, p<0.001). Clinically relevant consequences of procedure postponement were observed in three patients in the first period and six patients in the second period, without a statistically significant difference (p=0.13). The most common indication for appointments was inflammatory bowel disease in both groups. The most common reason for postponement of procedures in the first period was “infection”, while in the second period it was “COVID-19 Pandemic” (p< 0.001). In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a marked reduction and delay in pediatric gastrointestinal interventional procedures, which in some patients resulted in clinically relevant consequences, highlighting the need for careful prioritization of procedures during future healthcare crises.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, pediatric gastroenterology, interventional procedure, procedure delay, esophagogastroduodenoscopy