A Single Center Observational Study on Clinical Manifestations and Associated Factors of Pediatric Long COVID

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Public Health
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• While SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) often presents with mild symptoms in children, a subset may develop persistent symptoms, raising concerns about potential long-term health implications.
• Understanding the frequency and risk factors associated with persisting symptoms in pediatric populations is crucial for effective management and public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the frequency of persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection in children.
• To identify risk factors associated with the development of Long COVID symptoms in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

• A prospective observational study was conducted involving 697 children (0-18 years) with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection at a tertiary university hospital.
• Data on persistent symptoms were collected through parent and child questionnaires at 30 and 90 days post-initial diagnosis.

Main Results:

• At 30 days post-diagnosis, 26.4% (185/697) of children reported persistent symptoms. At 90 days, 11.6% (81/697) still had symptoms.
• Thirty-day persisting symptoms were associated with acute-phase anosmia, atopy, asthenia, and cough. Neurological symptoms (6.7%) and headache (2.7%) were the most frequent 90-day manifestations.
• Persistent symptoms were linked to overall symptom burden during the acute phase and the presence of atopy.

Conclusions:

• A notable proportion of children experience persisting symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection, with atopy and symptom burden identified as significant risk factors.
• While short-term persistence is observed, the majority of children recover by 90 days, suggesting that severe long-term effects are not highly frequent.
• Limitations include the single-center design and the absence of a control group, warranting further investigation in diverse populations.