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Exploring the prevalence and chest CT predictors of Long COVID in children: a comprehensive study from Shanghai and
Yong Yin1,2,3,4,5,6, Guijun Yang2, Na Wang1
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Linyi Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Linyi Branch of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Linyi, Shandong, China.
Insights
Long COVID affects 23.1% of children after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Increased vascular markings on chest CT scans and younger age are predictors of developing Long COVID in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) has caused a global pandemic with significant health implications.
- Long COVID, a post-acute sequela of SARS-CoV-2 infection, presents a growing concern in pediatric populations.
- Understanding the prevalence and predictors of Long COVID in children is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Long COVID in children following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- To identify potential predictors of Long COVID development in children, with a focus on chest CT findings.
- To analyze clinical characteristics and symptomology associated with Long COVID in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 277 children who underwent chest CT scans within one week of SARS-CoV-2 infection were followed up.
- Data collected included clinical characteristics, Long COVID symptoms, and chest CT manifestations.
- Multivariate logistic regression and decision tree models were used to identify associated factors.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of Long COVID among the studied children was 23.1%.
- Common Long COVID symptoms included chronic cough, fatigue, brain fog, and post-exertional malaise.
- Decision tree analysis identified increased vascular markings on chest CT, absence of normal CT findings, and younger age as predictors of Long COVID.
Conclusions:
- Long COVID is prevalent in children post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, with nearly a quarter experiencing symptoms.
- Specific chest CT findings, such as increased vascular markings, may indicate a higher risk for Long COVID in children.
- While chest CT findings are associated with risk, further research is needed to fully elucidate the relationship between imaging abnormalities and Long COVID occurrence.
Introduction:
COVID-19 constitutes a pandemic of significant detriment to human health. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Long COVID following SARS-CoV-2 infection, analyze the potential predictors of chest CT for the development of Long COVID in children.
Methods:
A cohort of children who visited the respiratory outpatient clinics at Shanghai Children's Medical Center or Linyi Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from December 2022 to February 2023 and underwent chest CT scans within 1 week was followed up. Data on clinical characteristics, Long COVID symptoms, and chest CT manifestations were collected and analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression models and decision tree models were employed to identify factors associated with Long COVID.
Results:
A total of 416 children were included in the study. Among 277 children who completed the follow-up, the prevalence of Long COVID was 23.1%. Chronic cough, fatigue, brain fog, and post-exertional malaise were the most commonly reported symptoms. In the decision tree model for Long COVID, the presence of increased vascular markings, the absence of normal CT findings, and younger age were identified as predictors associated with a higher likelihood of developing Long COVID in children. However, no significant correlation was found between chest CT abnormality and the occurrence of Long COVID.
Discussion:
Long COVID in children presents a complex challenge with a significant prevalence rate of 23.1%. Chest CT scans of children post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, identified as abnormal with increased vascular markings, indicate a higher risk of developing Long COVID.
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