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'Long COVID': Symptom persistence in children hospitalised for COVID-19

Ali A Asadi-Pooya^1,2, Meshkat Nemati¹, Hamid Nemati¹

¹Epilepsy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health

|July 19, 2022

Insights

Long-term symptoms after COVID-19 hospitalization are uncommon in children. Most pediatric COVID-19 patients recover fully, with persistent symptoms being mild and infrequent, indicating a favorable long-term outcome.

Area of Science:

Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Longitudinal Health Outcomes

Background:

COVID-19 hospitalizations in children can lead to prolonged health issues.
Understanding the long-term impact of COVID-19 on pediatric patients is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe the long-term outcomes regarding symptom persistence in children hospitalized with COVID-19.
To assess the prevalence and nature of long-term symptoms in pediatric COVID-19 survivors.

Main Methods:

A follow-up phone survey was conducted with families of 58 children and adolescents previously hospitalized with COVID-19.
Data collection occurred in December 2021, approximately 9 months after initial study and over 13 months post-hospitalization.

Main Results:

Of 51 children studied, only 10% (5 patients) reported persistent symptoms consistent with long-COVID (e.g., fatigue, weakness).
Four patients (7.8%) developed new-onset symptoms potentially related to long-COVID.
Reported residual symptoms were generally mild and tolerable.

Conclusions:

Symptom persistence, or long-COVID, is infrequent in children hospitalized for COVID-19.
Most long-COVID symptoms in pediatric patients resolve over time.
Clear definitions and natural course studies of pediatric long-COVID are needed for harmonization.

Read full analysis

Abstract

Aim:

We aimed to describe the long-term outcome with respect to symptom persistence amongst children hospitalised for COVID-19.

Methods:

This was a follow-up study of 58 children and adolescents hospitalised with COVID-19. For all patients, the data were collected in a phone call to the family in December 2021 (9 months after the initial study and more than 13 months after their admission to hospital). We inquired about their current health status and obtained information, if the responding parent consented orally to participate and answer the questions.

Results:

Fifty-one children and adolescents were studied. Only five patients (10%) had persistent symptoms compatible with long-COVID; the reported symptoms include fatigue in four (8%), weakness in three (6%), exercise intolerance in two (4%) and shortness of breath in two (4%) patients. Four patients (7.8%), who did not have any symptoms of long-COVID in phase 1 of the study, reported new-onset symptoms or complaints that are potentially compatible with the diagnosis of long-COVID (weakness, myalgia, excess sputum, cough, fatigue) in the current phase.

Conclusions:

Symptom persistence of long-COVID is infrequent amongst children hospitalised for COVID-19. Most of the symptoms of long-COVID will resolve with the passage of time and the residual symptoms are often mild and tolerable. The scientific community should carefully and clearly define long-COVID and its natural course in order to facilitate and harmonise future studies.

Keywords:

COVID-19 chronic coronavirus paediatrics

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