tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
World J Pediatr
. 2021 Sep 3.
doi: 10.1007/s12519-021-00457-6. Online ahead of print.
Long COVID in children and adolescents
Ali A Asadi-Pooya[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Hamid Nemati[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Mina Shahisavandi[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Ali Akbari[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Amir Emami[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Mehrzad Lotfi[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Mahtab Rostamihosseinkhani[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Zohreh Barzegar[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Maryam Kabiri[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Zahra Zeraatpisheh[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Mohsen Farjoud-Kouhanjani[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Anahita Jafari[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Fateme Sasannia[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Shayan Ashrafi[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Masoume Nazeri[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Sara Nasiri[SUP] 3 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Background: To identify the prevalence and also the full spectrum of symptoms/complaints of children and adolescents who are suffering from long COVID. Furthermore, we investigated the risk factors of long COVID in children and adolescents.
Methods: All consecutive children and adolescents who were referred to the hospitals anywhere in Fars province, Iran, from 19 February 2020 until 20 November 2020 were included. All patients had a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. In a phone call to patients/parents, at least 3 months after their discharge from the hospital, we obtained their current status and information if their parents agreed to participate.
Results: In total, 58 children and adolescents fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Twenty-six (44·8%) children/adolescents reported symptoms/complaints of long COVID. These symptoms included fatigue in 12 (21%), shortness of breath in 7 (12%), exercise intolerance in 7 (12%), weakness in 6 (10%), and walking intolerance in 5 (9%) individuals. Older age, muscle pain on admission, and intensive care unit admission were significantly associated with long COVID.
Conclusions: Long COVID is a frequent condition in children and adolescents. The scientific community should investigate and explore the pathophysiology of long COVID to ensure that these patients receive appropriate treatments for their condition.
Keywords: Adolescents; COVID-19; Children; Chronic; Coronavirus; Pediatrics.
. 2021 Sep 3.
doi: 10.1007/s12519-021-00457-6. Online ahead of print.
Long COVID in children and adolescents
Ali A Asadi-Pooya[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Hamid Nemati[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Mina Shahisavandi[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Ali Akbari[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Amir Emami[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Mehrzad Lotfi[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Mahtab Rostamihosseinkhani[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Zohreh Barzegar[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Maryam Kabiri[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Zahra Zeraatpisheh[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Mohsen Farjoud-Kouhanjani[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Anahita Jafari[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Fateme Sasannia[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Shayan Ashrafi[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Masoume Nazeri[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Sara Nasiri[SUP] 3 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 34478045
- DOI: 10.1007/s12519-021-00457-6
Abstract
Background: To identify the prevalence and also the full spectrum of symptoms/complaints of children and adolescents who are suffering from long COVID. Furthermore, we investigated the risk factors of long COVID in children and adolescents.
Methods: All consecutive children and adolescents who were referred to the hospitals anywhere in Fars province, Iran, from 19 February 2020 until 20 November 2020 were included. All patients had a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. In a phone call to patients/parents, at least 3 months after their discharge from the hospital, we obtained their current status and information if their parents agreed to participate.
Results: In total, 58 children and adolescents fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Twenty-six (44·8%) children/adolescents reported symptoms/complaints of long COVID. These symptoms included fatigue in 12 (21%), shortness of breath in 7 (12%), exercise intolerance in 7 (12%), weakness in 6 (10%), and walking intolerance in 5 (9%) individuals. Older age, muscle pain on admission, and intensive care unit admission were significantly associated with long COVID.
Conclusions: Long COVID is a frequent condition in children and adolescents. The scientific community should investigate and explore the pathophysiology of long COVID to ensure that these patients receive appropriate treatments for their condition.
Keywords: Adolescents; COVID-19; Children; Chronic; Coronavirus; Pediatrics.