tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Pediatr Infect Dis J
. 2025 May 1;44(5):449-454.
doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000004649. Epub 2024 Dec 4. Rates, Risk Factors and Outcomes of Complications After COVID-19 in Children
Mallika Rattanawijit[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Arisara Samutpong[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Nopporn Apiwattanakul[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Surapat Assawawiroonhakarn[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Chonnamet Techasaensiri[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Sophida Boonsathorn[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Sujittra Chaisavaneeyakorn[SUP] 3 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to various complications, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and post-COVID-19 conditions (long COVID). This study aimed to determine the rates, risk factors and outcomes of MIS-C and long COVID in children previously diagnosed with COVID-19.
Methods: This study was a combined retrospective and prospective cohort study. Patients 0-18 years of age diagnosed with COVID-19 or another respiratory virus infection were enrolled between October 2021 and April 2022. Demographic and clinical data were reviewed. Information on persisting symptoms and their impacts were recorded at 1-3, 3-6 and 6-12 months after infection. Laboratory investigations and chest imaging examinations were performed during follow-up. MIS-C and long COVID were defined according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) definitions.
Results: A total of 618 patients were enrolled, comprising 437 (70.7%) with COVID-19 and 181 (29.3%) with another respiratory virus infection. At 1-3 months, the rate of persisting symptoms was 16.5% in patients with COVID-19, compared with 1.1% in patients with another respiratory virus infection. The rate of MIS-C was 0.7%. The rate of long COVID according to the CDC and WHO definitions were 20.4% and 13.0%, respectively. Respiratory systems were most affected in long COVID. Age 5-18 years, anosmia during COVID-19, history of pneumonia and infection during the delta and omicron waves were associated with long COVID in children.
Conclusions: Long COVID after COVID-19 in children is uncommon. Children with anosmia and a history of pneumonia during COVID-19 require follow-up for long COVID.
Keywords: COVID-19; children; long COVID; multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children; post-COVID-19 conditions.
. 2025 May 1;44(5):449-454.
doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000004649. Epub 2024 Dec 4. Rates, Risk Factors and Outcomes of Complications After COVID-19 in Children
Mallika Rattanawijit[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Arisara Samutpong[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Nopporn Apiwattanakul[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Surapat Assawawiroonhakarn[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Chonnamet Techasaensiri[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Sophida Boonsathorn[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Sujittra Chaisavaneeyakorn[SUP] 3 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 40232883
- DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000004649
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to various complications, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and post-COVID-19 conditions (long COVID). This study aimed to determine the rates, risk factors and outcomes of MIS-C and long COVID in children previously diagnosed with COVID-19.
Methods: This study was a combined retrospective and prospective cohort study. Patients 0-18 years of age diagnosed with COVID-19 or another respiratory virus infection were enrolled between October 2021 and April 2022. Demographic and clinical data were reviewed. Information on persisting symptoms and their impacts were recorded at 1-3, 3-6 and 6-12 months after infection. Laboratory investigations and chest imaging examinations were performed during follow-up. MIS-C and long COVID were defined according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) definitions.
Results: A total of 618 patients were enrolled, comprising 437 (70.7%) with COVID-19 and 181 (29.3%) with another respiratory virus infection. At 1-3 months, the rate of persisting symptoms was 16.5% in patients with COVID-19, compared with 1.1% in patients with another respiratory virus infection. The rate of MIS-C was 0.7%. The rate of long COVID according to the CDC and WHO definitions were 20.4% and 13.0%, respectively. Respiratory systems were most affected in long COVID. Age 5-18 years, anosmia during COVID-19, history of pneumonia and infection during the delta and omicron waves were associated with long COVID in children.
Conclusions: Long COVID after COVID-19 in children is uncommon. Children with anosmia and a history of pneumonia during COVID-19 require follow-up for long COVID.
Keywords: COVID-19; children; long COVID; multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children; post-COVID-19 conditions.