Huge numbers of children are becoming Covid "long-haulers"
Doctors around the world estimate one in ten children with COVID-19 have long-term side effects
COVID-19
Long COVID symptoms in SARS-CoV-2-positive children aged 0–14 years
Children’s immune systems do not develop ‘adaptive’ memory to protect against second time SARS-CoV-2 infection
Children have largely avoided severe COVID-19 symptoms because they have a strong initial 'innate' immune reaction that quickly defeats the virus.
COVID-19 neuro complications, long-term symptoms in kids
Post-COVID syndrome severely damages children’s hearts; 'immense inflammation’ causing cardiac blood vessel dilation - UT Health San Antonio
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), believed to be linked to COVID-19, damages the heart to such an extent that some children will need lifelong monitoring and interventions, said the senior author of a medical literature review published Sept. 4 in EClinicalMedicine, a journal of The Lancet. Case studies also show MIS-C can strike seemingly […]
Study determines most common long COVID symptoms in children and teens
A research team led by the National Institutes of Health's RECOVER Initiative and supported by its Clinical Science Core (CSC) at NYU Langone Health, has designed a new way to identify which school-age ...
Proof long Covid in kids DOES exist and they suffer worse symptoms
US scientists found children were left with prolonged symptoms 'in almost every organ system' after being struck down with the virus.
Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 in Children
A comprehensive review in Pediatrics examines Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) in children, highlighting its diverse and persistent symptoms across multiple organ systems. Common manifestations include fatigue, respiratory issues, cardiovascular complications, and neurological symptoms. The incidence of PASC in children varies widely, with estimates ranging from 4% to 62%, often clustering around 10% to 20% within the first six months post-infection.
Long COVID is a "public health crisis for kids," experts say
A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association sheds light on the effect a coronavirus infection can have on children over a longer period. While many people recover quickly from COVID, some don't, experiencing symptoms that can last for months or years. This condition, known as long COVID, not only affects adults but also children. The new research helps us understand the extent kids experience these debilitating conditions — and how we can treat it.
Long COVID significantly affects children for up to 36 months, vaccines offer crucial protection
Researchers examined the risk factors associated with the development of long COVID in children and the persistent symptoms and characteristics of long COVID in the pediatric population. They used in-clinic assessment data for up to 36 months after the initial infection and also evaluated the probability of reinfections and new onset autoimmune disorders due to long COVID among children.
The study's methodology stands out due to its in-person assessments at multiple intervals, ensuring a high level of accuracy and reliability in diagnosing long COVID, as well as its use of a standardized protocol aligned with WHO's definition of post-COVID-19 condition.
Millions of US Children Experience Range of Long COVID Effects
About 6 million children in the US might be living with post–COVID-19 condition, also known as long COVID. A recent narrative review in Pediatrics parsed the existing research from the past 3 years about how long COVID presents in children and what the risk factors are for developing the condition.
Long COVID in Children: A Multidisciplinary Review
A multidisciplinary clinical review published in Diagnostics examines Long COVID in children, highlighting its diverse and persistent symptoms across various systems, including respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, and psychological domains. The study emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach to identify potential disease markers and assess impairment. It also underscores the need for a multidisciplinary clinical strategy to manage and monitor affected children effectively. The authors call for further research to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying Long COVID in the pediatric population and to develop targeted interventions.
Long COVID in Children: A Multidisciplinary Review
Long COVID syndrome has emerged as a long-lasting consequence of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults. In addition, children may be affected by Long COVID, with potential clinical issues in different fields, including problems in school performance ...
‘Alarming’ rise in Americans with long Covid symptoms
Some 6.8% of American adults are currently experiencing long Covid symptoms, according to a new survey from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), revealing an “alarming” increase in recent months even as the health agency relaxes Covid isolation recommendations, experts say. That means an estimated 17.6 million Americans could now be living with Long Covid.
Kids are losing 'huge chunks' of their childhood to long COVID. Too many are being told it's 'all in their head'
"Before she got sick with long COVID, Vivien was at the top of all of her classes at school. She loved playing basketball and netball and running around with her dogs — she'd even take herself for runs around her family's sprawling property in regional New South Wales, just for fun. She's still only 12 but for the longest time Vivien has dreamed of being a vet when she grows up. "And she was so social," her mother Katie says. "My husband and I are both introverts. Not V — she would party every day if she could."
Now, two years since she caught SARS-CoV-2 for the first time, a "good day" for Vivien looks nothing like it used to. She's always exhausted, but her achy limbs might feel less tingly and weak; perhaps her upset stomach is calm, and her brain fog has cleared enough that she can do some school work or call a friend. On a really good day, she can manage a visit with her grandparents, so long as she's prepared to spend the evening in bed."
My Son’s Crushing Long-COVID Journey
Personal Perspective: False assumptions about post-COVID conditions made it hard to find care for my son.
Kids at similar risk for long COVID as adults, study suggests
A large study today from Germany shows that kids and adolescents are at the same relative risk of experiencing COVID-19 symptoms 90 days or more after acute infection as adults are, according to findings in PLOS Medicine. Researchers from the Technical University of Dresden, Germany, used data from half of the German population to determine that kids and adults have the same relative risk of experiencing post COVID symptoms at 90 days following infection.
Not 'little adults': Experts say long COVID undercounted, misdiagnosed in kids
Research on long COVID in children is limited, with prevalence estimates ranging from less than 1% to 70%. Experts suggest that applying adult frameworks to pediatric cases leads to under diagnosis and misinterpretation of symptoms. Children often lack the vocabulary to describe symptoms like "brain fog" or "post-exertional malaise," resulting in manifestations such as declining academic performance or recurrent stomachaches being overlooked. Current studies are hindered by small sample sizes, reliance on parental surveys, lack of control groups, and short durations.
Prevalence and Exploratory Factor Analysis of Long COVID-19 Symptoms Among Infected population in Bangkok, Thailand
Background Patients with long COVID may experience various concomitant symptoms caused by inflammation, which affect their lives and well-being. In this study, we aimed to (1) investigate the prevalence of long COVID; (2) explore the levels of symptom severity and functional disability owing to long COVID, overall health, and their relationship; and (3) conduct exploratory factor analysis of long COVID-19 symptoms among experienced infected population in the capital of Thailand. Methods A cross-sectional research design was used and a sample of 337 community members with previously COVID-19 infection in Bangkok, Thailand was recruited for this study. Purposive sampling was used. Data collection was performed using an online and a paper-based questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (number, percentage), odds ratio, exploratory factor analysis, and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient were used for the data analysis. Results The prevalence of long COVID was 32.9%. The main reported symptoms included anxiety (28.5%), fatigue (26.1%), and dyspnea (13.4%). There was a significant relationship between symptom severity and functional disability (rs=0.385, p value
Clinical and Functional Assessment of SARS-COV-2 Sequelae Among Young Marines
The study aimed to assess long-term health outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 among young Marines, focusing on post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). The cohort included 899 Marines, predominantly male, with a median age of 18 years. Most participants were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. 24.7% of infected participants developed PASC, with common symptoms including loss of taste/smell, shortness of breath, and cough. Those with PASC had higher rates of somatic symptoms, depression, and anxiety. Participants with PASC showed decreased physical performance, particularly in run times, compared to uninfected Marines and a pre-pandemic cohort. The study highlights the significant long-term health impacts of SARS-CoV-2, even among young, healthy individuals, and underscores the need for further research and mitigation strategies.
The Lancet: Long Covid is a significant health crisis in China
A large-scale survey of 74,075 Chinese participants, one of the largest studies of its kind and the first from China, shows that approximately 10%–30% of survey participants reported experiencing Long Covid symptoms such as fatigue, memory decline, decreased exercise ability, and brain fog. The authors show that despite having milder acute symptoms during reinfection, participants who experienced multiple infections were more likely to experience various Long Covid symptoms with greater severity. The authors show that having two infections is a risk factor for many long-term Covid symptoms, and the risk increased exponentially when the number of infections exceeded two.
Office of Chief Science Advisor Report Post-COVID-19 Condition and Its Continued Impact on Individuals and Society
"“In Canada, as of August 2022, more than 1.4 million people – or about 15 percent of adults who have contracted COVID-19 – say they experience symptoms three months or more after their initial SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. These include respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological and cognitive impairments and they can be debilitating."
COVID-19 longer-term symptoms among Canadian adults
19 percent of infected adults had long-term symptoms. Over half of affected adults reported limitations: 21.7% often or always, 32.7% sometimes, and 45.7% never or rarely.
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CDC distinguishes 3 post-COVID MIS-C clusters based on symptoms, complications, severity
Microstructural brain abnormalities, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction after mild COVID-19 - PubMed
Although some studies have shown neuroimaging and neuropsychological alterations in post-COVID-19 patients, fewer combined neuroimaging and neuropsychology evaluations of individuals who presented a mild acute infection. Here we investigated cognitive dysfunction and brain changes in a group of mild …
COVID-19: Study Suggests Long-term Damage to Immune System
NIH News Release: "...findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection damages the CD8+ T cell response, an effect akin to that observed in earlier studies showing long-term damage to the immune system after infection with viruses such as hepatitis C or HIV."
Debunking the myth of immunity debt - Healthy Debate
Immunity debt is an attractive concept. But there is little evidence that it's causing the resurgence in pediatric respiratory infections.
Is the Hygiene Hypothesis True? | Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
The hygiene hypothesis says exposure to germs helps kids develop healthy immune systems. But many viruses didn’t circulate as widely during the pandemic. Are there downsides to missed infections?
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