Long COVID in Children and Adolescents: Mechanisms, Symptoms, and Long-Term Impact on Health—A Comprehensive Review

Journal of Clinical Medicine, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(2), P. 378 - 378

Published: Jan. 9, 2025

Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), is increasingly recognized a condition affecting not only adults but children and adolescents. While often experience milder acute COVID-19 symptoms compared to adults, some develop persistent physical, psychological, neurological lasting for weeks or months after initial infection. The most commonly reported include debilitating fatigue, respiratory issues, headaches, muscle pain, gastrointestinal disturbances, cognitive difficulties, which significantly impact daily activities, schooling, social interactions. Additionally, many with long COVID psychological symptoms, such anxiety, depression, mood swings, irritability, likely exacerbated by prolonged illness lifestyle disruptions. Risk factors in pre-existing health conditions asthma, obesity, disorders, adolescents females seemingly more affected. Hypothesized mechanisms underlying chronic immune dysregulation, viral particles stimulating inflammation, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, mitochondrial impairment, may collectively contribute the variety observed symptoms. Long-term outcomes remain uncertain; however, can lead school absenteeism, withdrawal, distress, potentially development. Severe cases postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) reduced exercise tolerance. This review synthesizes existing literature on children, examining its prevalence, symptomatology, risk factors, potential mechanisms, an emphasis need further clinical studies. research largely relies surveys self-reported data, assessments are essential accurately characterize pediatric populations guide effective management strategies.

Language: Английский

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A systematic review of post COVID-19 condition in children and adolescents: Gap in evidence from low-and -middle-income countries and the impact of SARS-COV-2 variants

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(3), P. e0315815 - e0315815

Published: March 3, 2025

The long-term health consequences following COVID-19 have largely been reported in adult populations living high-income countries. We therefore did a systematic review of post condition symptoms children and adolescents (<18 years), aiming to identify include publications from low- or middle-income countries (LMICs). From EMBASE, Medline, Pubmed until the 30th October 2023, we searched all studies reporting original complete data outcomes at least 20 under 18 years age with history confirmed acute infection. excluded non-English publications, pre-prints, unreviewed articles, grey literature, inaccessible full text, those limited specific population. Risk Bias was assessed using STROBE guidelines for observational studies. used descriptive narrative analysis summarize findings. Forty 825,849 adolescents; median persistent consistently adolescent range but not included young (<5 years). Only one study, 58 participants aged 6-17 years, population LMIC. Studies relied on symptom rather than objective measures organ dysfunction. definition varied; most duration two three months more. However, since onset specified, it difficult which study is truly consistent WHO's condition. Prevalence ranged 1.8% 70% marked heterogeneity between criteria including severity COVID presentation. Most were undertaken when Alpha variant predominant strain. prevalence 6.7% variant-, 23% 61.9% Delta-, 17% 34.6% Omicron-, 3.7% 34% Other-variant predominated fatigue (70%), headache (37.5%) respiratory (35%); subgroups. half control group. variations population, methods, reliance alone lack groups make challenging determine impact adolescents. LMIC especially infants major gap.

Language: Английский

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Long COVID in Children, Adults, and Vulnerable Populations: A Comprehensive Overview for an Integrated Approach

Diseases, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(5), P. 95 - 95

Published: May 6, 2024

Long COVID affects both children and adults, including subjects who experienced severe, mild, or even asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. We have provided a comprehensive overview of the incidence, clinical characteristics, risk factors, outcomes persistent COVID-19 symptoms in encompassing vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women oncological patients. Our objective is to emphasize critical significance adopting an integrated approach for early detection appropriate management long COVID. The incidence severity can significant impact on quality life patients course disease case pre-existing pathologies. Particularly, fragile patients, presence PASC related significantly worse survival, independent from vulnerabilities treatment. It important try achieve recognition management. Various mechanisms are implicated, resulting wide range presentations. Understanding specific factors involved crucial tailoring effective interventions support strategies. Management approaches involve biopsychosocial assessments treatment comorbidities, autonomic dysfunction, well multidisciplinary rehabilitation. overall one gradual improvement, with recovery observed majority, though not all, As research long-COVID continues evolve, ongoing studies likely shed more light intricate relationship between chronic diseases, status, cardiovascular psychiatric disorders, effects This information could guide healthcare providers, researchers, policymakers developing targeted interventions.

Language: Английский

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Potential Predictors of Long COVID in Italian Children: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Children, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(2), P. 221 - 221

Published: Feb. 9, 2024

Background: Identifying predictive factors of long COVID syndrome (LCS) is essential to preventing and managing this condition. We investigated the prevalence, symptoms, risk LCS in a cohort Italian children adolescents. Methods: carried out cross-sectional survey on demographic characteristics clinical data related COVID-19 phase adolescents, sending questionnaire by using PEDIATOTEM platform. Results: The prevalence was 25% (99/396). most frequent symptoms included nasal congestion, diarrhea, headache, fatigue. found no association between (gender, age, ethnicity) LCS. Additionally, we showed that patients with concurrent allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, respiratory disease, gastrointestinal rheumatologic disease had higher than without those comorbidities. Patients experiencing fatigue, muscle, abdominal pain complaining other symptoms. vaccination Conclusions: Specific comorbidities or during acute illness were identified as being for Understanding which are could yield clearer picture its pathogenesis.

Language: Английский

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Postacute COVID-19 fatigue, dyspnea and reduced activity in children and adolescents

Pediatric Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 3, 2025

Language: Английский

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Long COVID: Identification, Management, and Holistic Support

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Long COVID in pediatric age: an observational, prospective, longitudinal, multicenter study in Italy

Frontiers in Immunology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16

Published: April 9, 2025

This observational prospective longitudinal multicenter study examines the occurrence and characteristics of long COVID (LC) in Italian pediatric population. Conducted across 12 Pediatric Units Italy from January to March 2022, involved 1129 children diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Data were collected via self-administered questionnaires at 1-3 months, 3-6 6-12 months post-infection, LC defined as symptoms persisting for least 2 occurring 3 post-diagnosis. Results revealed that 68.6% reported one post-COVID symptom, 16.2% experiencing LC. The most frequent included respiratory issues (43.4%), neurological cognitive dysfunction (27.7%), gastrointestinal (22.1%), fatigue (21.6%), sleep disturbances (18.8%). Age gender differences significant, older females more prone cardiovascular & dysfunction. highlights presents similarly adults, though less frequently. was lower compared adult populations, likely due generally milder course COVID-19 children. findings underscore need targeted follow-up support affected children, especially considering long-term persistence symptoms. Further research is necessary explore impact vaccines on effects different variants. These insights are crucial developing strategies manage mitigate impacts recovering COVID-19.

Language: Английский

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Challenges and opportunities in long COVID research

Immunity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 57(6), P. 1195 - 1214

Published: June 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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Neuroinflammation in Post COVID‐19 Sequelae: Neuroinvasion and Neuroimmune Crosstalk

Reviews in Medical Virology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(6)

Published: Nov. 1, 2024

Abstract The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in December 2019 triggered a swift global spread, leading to devastating pandemic. Alarmingly, approximately one four individuals diagnosed with disease (COVID‐19) experience varying degrees cognitive impairment, raising concerns about potential increase neurological sequelae cases. Neuroinflammation seems be the key pathophysiological hallmark linking mild COVID‐19 fatigue, and patients, highlighting interaction between nervous immune systems following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Several hypotheses have been proposed explain how virus disrupts physiological pathways trigger inflammation within CNS, potentially neuronal damage. These include neuroinvasion, systemic inflammation, disruption lung gut‐brain axes, reactivation latent viruses. This review explores origins neuroinflammation underlying neuroimmune cross‐talk, important unanswered questions field. Addressing these fundamental issues could enhance our understanding virus's impact on CNS inform strategies mitigate its detrimental effects.

Language: Английский

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Lung function assessment in children with Long‐Covid syndrome

Pediatric Pulmonology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 59(2), P. 472 - 481

Published: Dec. 13, 2023

Abstract Introduction A significant percentage of patients who survived the Coronavirus Infection Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) showed persistent general and respiratory symptoms even months after recovery. This condition, called Post‐Acute Sequelae COVID‐19 or Long‐Covid syndrome (LCS), has been described also in children with positive history for severe acute coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. Little is known about pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying this syndrome. The aim study was to investigate any difference between LCS asymptomatic peers previous terms lung function ultrasound (LUS) patterns. Secondly, we tested associations abnormalities LUS findings Long‐Covid. Methods We carried out a prospective, descriptive, observational including 58 aged 5–17 years: 28 compared 30 COVID‐19. collected demographic data, asthma, allergy smoke exposure, symptoms. After median period 4.5 (1%–95% range 2–21) since infection, assessed by spirometry, body plethysmography, diffusion capacity carbon monoxide (DLCO). Airways inflammation investigated fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). performed independently two experienced clinicians. Results found that were older than controls (mean (SD) 12 (4.1) vs. 9.7 (2.6); p = .04). Children complained more frequently fatigue (46.4%), cough (17.9%), exercise intolerance (14.3%) dyspnea (14.3%). Lung normal similar groups. frequency groups (43.3% 56.7% controls; .436). lower FeNO values (log −0.30 (CI 95% −0.50, −0.10)), but no association abnormal found. Conclusions seems be frequent age children. functional structural not different subjects In addition, controls, suggesting its potential role as marker LCS. However, further larger studies are needed confirm our findings.

Language: Английский

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