Post-COVID-19 conditions (PCCs), aligning with what’s come to be known as long COVID, persisted at 3 months for many children who sought emergency care for acute illness, according to an international pediatric hospital network study.
Out of 1,884 children diagnosed with COVID-19 infections who received a 90-day follow-up, 5.8% of those who had been seen in the emergency department or hospital for COVID-19 reported PCCs, most often fatigue or weakness, cough, shortness of breath, and other respiratory symptoms.
While the rate of long COVID was lower in their study than previously reported for adults, the risk factor findings match with previous research surrounding PCCs in adult patients, indicating that children face similar hurdles, the researchers suggested.
Children who had four or more symptoms at the time of their emergency department visit, were hospitalized for 48 or more hours, or were 14 years and older were more likely to report PCCs.
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“Unfortunately, there are no known therapies for long COVID in children and more research is needed in this area,” said Todd Florin, MD, MSCE, of Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, in a press release. “However, if symptoms are significant, treatment targeting the symptoms is most important. Multidisciplinary care is warranted if symptoms are impacting quality of life.”
