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Effects of Paediatric Post-COVID-19 Condition on Physical Function and Daily Functioning: A Cross-Sectional Study
Aroia Goicoechea-Calvo1,2, Roser Coll-Fernández1, Natalia Navarro Expósito1
1Department of Rehabilitation, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, 08916 Badalona, Spain.
Insights
Children with paediatric post-COVID-19 condition (PPCC) show reduced physical function and significant daily life impacts. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address physical impairments in pediatric long COVID.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Limited objective data exists on physical function and daily life impact in pediatric post-COVID-19 condition (PPCC).
- Assessing exercise capacity, muscle strength, and fatigue is crucial for understanding PPCC's long-term effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate exercise capacity, peripheral and respiratory muscle strength, and fatigue in children with PPCC.
- To compare these parameters between PPCC patients and healthy controls.
- To determine the impact of PPCC on children's daily functioning.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study design was employed.
- Key assessments included the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax), handgrip strength (HHD), and muscle thickness/area via ultrasound.
- Fatigue was measured using the pediatric Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (pedsFACIT-F), and physical activity with the Assessment of Physical Activity Levels Questionnaire (APALQ).
Main Results:
- Children with PPCC demonstrated significantly lower exercise capacity (6MWT), respiratory muscle strength (PImax), and handgrip strength compared to controls.
- PPCC patients reported higher levels of fatigue (pedsFACIT-F) and reduced physical activity (APALQ).
- Significant limitations were observed in daily activities, with many children unable to participate fully in sports, school, or after-school activities.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric post-COVID-19 condition is associated with substantial impairments in physical function and significant negative impacts on daily life.
- These findings underscore the necessity of developing targeted therapeutic strategies for children affected by PPCC.
- Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and optimize rehabilitation approaches.
Background/Objectives:
Lack of objective evidence exists regarding changes in physical function and impact on daily functioning in paediatric post-COVID-19 condition (PPCC). This study aimed to assess exercise capacity, fatigue, and peripheral and respiratory muscle strength in PPCC patients compared with healthy controls. Additionally, the impact of PPCC on domains of daily life was evaluated.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was performed.
Study Variables:
exercise capacity (6 min walk test, 6MWT), inspiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure, PImax), handgrip strength (handheld dynamometer, HHD), quadriceps femoris muscle thickness (QF MT), rectus femoris muscle thickness (RF MT), rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RF CSA), rectus femoris echo-intensity (RF EI), fatigue (Paediatric Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue, pedsFACIT-F), and physical activity (Assessment of Physical Activity Levels Questionnaire, APALQ).
Results:
A total of 115 PPCC patients and 227 healthy controls were included. The PPCC group had lower 6MWT (509.00 ± 86.12, p < 0.001), PImax (68.71 ± 26.23, p < 0.001), HHD (82.84 ± 29.09, p < 0.001), APALQ (7.94 ± 3.14, p < 0.001), pedsFACIT-F (24.51 ± 11.01, p < 0.001), QF MT mid-thigh (33.21 ± 7.99, p = 0.011), and higher RF EI (p < 0.001) vs. controls. Only 37.63% of the PPCC group resumed previous sports, 43.48% were unable to attend school full-time and 28.7% could not participate in after-school activities.
Conclusions:
Paediatric post-COVID-19 condition patients exhibited significant impairments in terms of physical function, with a high impact on daily functioning. This knowledge is necessary to provide targeted therapeutic interventions.
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