1
|
Sommen SL, Zhao Z, Segtnan S, Stiansen-Sonerud T, Selvakumar J, Beier Havdal L, Gjerstad J, Wyller VBB, Lund Berven L. Bulk RNA sequencing for analysis of post COVID-19 condition in adolescents and young adults. J Transl Med 2024; 22:312. [PMID: 38532465 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05117-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post COVID-19 condition (PCC) is a complication of SARS-COV-2 infection and can lead to long-term disability. METHODS The present study was designed to analyse the gene expression patterns of PCC through bulk RNA sequencing of whole blood and to explore the potential molecular mechanisms of PCC. Whole blood was collected from 80 participants enrolled in a prospective cohort study following SARS-CoV-2 infected and non-infected individuals for 6 months after recruitment and was used for bulk RNA sequencing. Identification of differentially expressed genes (DEG), pathway enrichment and immune cell deconvolution was performed to explore potential biological pathways involved in PCC. RESULTS We have found 13 differentially expressed genes associated with PCC. Enriched pathways were related to interferon-signalling and anti-viral immune processes. CONCLUSION The PCC transcriptome is characterized by a modest overexpression of interferon-stimulated genes, pointing to a subtle ongoing inflammatory response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silke Lauren Sommen
- Department of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Zhi Zhao
- Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology (OCBE), Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Tonje Stiansen-Sonerud
- Department of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen), University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Joel Selvakumar
- Department of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lise Beier Havdal
- Department of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Johannes Gjerstad
- Department of Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Vegard Bruun Bratholm Wyller
- Department of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lise Lund Berven
- Department of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Parzen-Johnson S, Katz BZ. Navigating the Spectrum of Two Pediatric COVID-19 Complications: Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1147. [PMID: 38398460 PMCID: PMC10889837 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13041147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This review summarizes the current scope of understanding associated with two common post-infectious complications associated with COVID-19 infection: Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). It identifies current gaps in the knowledge and issues that may limit the ability to fill these gaps. This review provides a framework to drive continued research. METHODS A comprehensive review of the current literature was performed, identifying seminal articles describing the emergence of MIS-C and PASC, and works from the literature focused on the clinical implications and pathophysiologic understanding of these disorders. FINDINGS Although pediatric patients experienced few severe cases of acute COVID-19 infection, the burden of disease from post-infectious sequelae is substantial. Mortality is low, but morbidity is significant. There are still numerous unknowns about the pathophysiology of both MIS-C and PASC; however, with widespread immunity developing after increased vaccination and prior infection, it may be difficult to perform adequate prospective studies to answer pathophysiologic questions. Long-term sequalae of MIS-C seem to be minimal whereas, by definition, PASC is an ongoing problem and may be severe. IMPLICATIONS The rapid sharing of information regarding novel conditions such as MIS-C and PASC are key to interventions related to future post-infectious sequelae outside of those stemming from COVID-19. Although MIS-C seems unlikely to return as a clinical condition in substantial numbers, there is still significant learning that can be gleaned from existing patients about general aspects of epidemiology, equity, and pathophysiology. There is significant morbidity associated with PASC and additional resources need to be dedicated to determining appropriate and effective therapies moving forward.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Parzen-Johnson
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC 6082, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ben Z Katz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 225 E Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nugawela MD, Pinto Pereira SM, Rojas NK, McOwat K, Simmons R, Dalrymple E, Ford T, Garg S, Hargreaves D, Semple MG, Xu L, Shafran R, Stephenson T. Data Resource Profile: the Children and Young People with Long COVID (CLoCk) Study. Int J Epidemiol 2024; 53:dyad158. [PMID: 37990948 PMCID: PMC10859131 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyad158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Manjula D Nugawela
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Snehal M Pinto Pereira
- Research Department of Targeted Intervention, Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Natalia K Rojas
- Research Department of Targeted Intervention, Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kelsey McOwat
- Immunisations and Vaccine Preventable Diseases, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Ruth Simmons
- Immunisations and Vaccine Preventable Diseases, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Emma Dalrymple
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Tamsin Ford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Hershel Smith Building Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Shruti Garg
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Dougal Hargreaves
- Mohn Centre for Children’s Health & Wellbeing, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Malcolm G Semple
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Respiratory Medicine, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Laila Xu
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Roz Shafran
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Terence Stephenson
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Minotti C, McKenzie C, Dewandel I, Bekker C, Sturniolo G, Doni D, Giaquinto C, Van Der Zalm MM, Donà D. How does post COVID differ from other post-viral conditions in childhood and adolescence (0-20 years old)? A systematic review. EClinicalMedicine 2024; 68:102436. [PMID: 38333536 PMCID: PMC10850405 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Post Coronavirus disease (COVID) and other post-viral infection syndromes present an overlap of pathogenesis, onset, progression, and symptom profile. We aimed to systematically describe studies on post-viral conditions and determine the entity of post COVID compared to other post-viral conditions in children. Methods We conducted a systematic search of the Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and GoogleScholar databases (January 1946-3 November 2023), according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The main outcomes were differences in condition duration, symptom type, and development of chronic symptoms. This systematic review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023401789). Findings 35/5051 studies were included, with 42,934 children, adolescents and young adults (0-20 years old) overall. Twenty-eight studies focused on post COVID symptoms, followed by five papers on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Rhinovirus, one study on Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), and one on gastrointestinal viruses. Studies on post COVID mainly reported data on older children/adolescents, describing long-lasting symptoms, including fatigue, neurologic, cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, mental health, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The maximum described symptoms duration was eighteen months, with an average follow-up of seven months. The development of chronic symptoms was reported by 30 studies (93.8%) for 10,473/28,474 patients (36.8%). Recovery was achieved in 18,001/28,474 cases (63.2%). The study on EBV reported persistent fatigue in adolescents for a similar duration (6 months, 46% chronic). Studies on RSV and Rhinovirus were mainly done in children under three years, with development of recurrent wheezing (up to 3 years). Interpretation Post-viral fatigue was a shared feature between post COVID and post EBV conditions. A better understanding of post COVID as a unique condition, sharing features with other post-viral syndromes, is needed. The healthcare burden and socio-economic consequences for children and their families warrant further investigation and development of appropriate healthcare management plans. The foremost requirement is the establishment of consistent and shareable definitions, as well as a consensus on outcomes, to effectively evaluate follow-up and quantify the burden of different viral infections. Funding EU Horizon, EDCTP, NIH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Minotti
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Italy
- PhD Program in Clinical Research, University Children's Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Carla McKenzie
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Isabelle Dewandel
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Carien Bekker
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Giulia Sturniolo
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Denis Doni
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Carlo Giaquinto
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Marieke M. Van Der Zalm
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Daniele Donà
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ha EK, Kim JH, Han MY. Long COVID in children and adolescents: prevalence, clinical manifestations, and management strategies. Clin Exp Pediatr 2023; 66:465-474. [PMID: 37350170 PMCID: PMC10626026 DOI: 10.3345/cep.2023.00472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Long coronavirus disease (COVID), also known as postacute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, has been defined as signs and symptoms which persist for 4 weeks or even lasting for 6 months after the initial infection. Although the prevalence of long COVID in children is currently unknown, epidemiological investigations have reported cases in pediatric populations. Clinical manifestations of long COVID in children include respiratory symptoms, such as cough and dyspnea, as well as neuropsychiatric and general conditions, including fatigue, headache, and muscle weakness. The pathophysiology of long COVID in children is still being investigated, but potential mechanisms include viral persistence, autoimmunity, and neuroinflammation. Risk factors for long COVID in children are not yet well understood, but studies have suggested that children with a history of severe acute COVID-19 infection or comorbidities may be at increased risk. Evaluation for respiratory symptoms of long COVID in children is essential, including spirometry and imaging studies to assess lung function and any potential damage. Furthermore, long COVID in children has been associated with a higher prevalence of mental health problems than in adults, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and addressing these aspects in pediatric patients. Although our understanding of long COVID in children and adolescents is still evolving, it is clear that the condition can have significant impacts on their health and well-being. The aim of this review is to synthesize the current knowledge on the prevalence, risk factors, and pathophysiology of long COVID in children and adolescents, and to discuss potential management strategies based on existing evidence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eun Kyo Ha
- Department of Pediatrics, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ju Hee Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Man Yong Han
- Department of Pediatrics, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Irani S, Chang C, Morrison L, Waselewski M, Chang T. Youth experiences with and perspectives on long covid. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2059. [PMID: 37864192 PMCID: PMC10588061 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16899-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research on the long-term effects of COVID-19 infection is ongoing, and the psychological and physical impacts of Long Covid on youth is poorly understood. To assess these impacts, we surveyed youth regarding their experiences with, and perspectives on, the long-term effects of COVID-19. METHODS We conducted a nationwide text message survey of youth ages 14-24 years in the United States. The survey asked four open ended questions regarding their experiences and perceptions regarding the long-term effects of COVID-19. Qualitative data was analyzed independently by three investigators using thematic analysis. Prevalence of codes were summarized using descriptive statistics. RESULTS Among 1150 participants, 991 responded to at least one survey question (response rate 86.1%). The vast majority of our sample had COVID-19 or knew someone who did (75%), and approximately one third (32%) of youth indicated that they knew someone who had experienced symptoms consistent with Long Covid. Many youth (50%) reported worry and concern about Long Covid even if they, or someone they knew, did not have Long Covid. Among youth who were not concerned about Long Covid, the most commonly reported reasons were having received the vaccine (29%) and not having a prior COVID-19 infection (24%). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that among younger populations, there is significant concern regarding the long-term effects of COVID-19. Vaccination campaigns and youth-centered public health communication about Long Covid may not only reduce COVID-19 transmission, but also alleviate worries and concerns about Long Covid among youth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarosh Irani
- University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Claire Chang
- University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Leigh Morrison
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Rd Bldg 14, Room G128, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Marika Waselewski
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Rd Bldg 14, Room G128, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Tammy Chang
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Rd Bldg 14, Room G128, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
Some children and young people (CYP) with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) experience persistent symptoms, commonly called "long COVID." It remains unclear whether symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 persist longer than those of other respiratory viruses, particularly in young children. This cross-sectional study involved 372 CYP (0-15 years) tested for SARS-CoV-2. Character and duration of symptoms (cough, runny nose, sore throat, rash, diarrhea, vomiting, sore muscles, fatigue, fever, loss of smell) were compared between CYP with a positive test (n = 100) and those with a negative test (n = 272), while controlling for medical/demographic covariates. The average duration of symptoms for CYP with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test (8.5 ± 10 days) did not differ from that of CYP with a negative test (7.2 ± 5 days, P = .71, d = 0.046). A positive SARS-CoV-2 test did not increase the risk (36/372, 10%) of symptoms persisting for ≥3 weeks (odds ratio = 0.96, 95% confidence interval = 0.45-2.0). These results suggest CYP with non-SARS-CoV-2 infections experience a similar duration of symptoms as peers with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven D. Hicks
- Department of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Joffe AR, Elliott A. Long COVID as a functional somatic symptom disorder caused by abnormally precise prior expectations during Bayesian perceptual processing: A new hypothesis and implications for pandemic response. SAGE Open Med 2023; 11:20503121231194400. [PMID: 37655303 PMCID: PMC10467233 DOI: 10.1177/20503121231194400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
This review proposes a model of Long-COVID where the constellation of symptoms are in fact genuinely experienced persistent physical symptoms that are usually functional in nature and therefore potentially reversible, that is, Long-COVID is a somatic symptom disorder. First, we describe what is currently known about Long-COVID in children and adults. Second, we examine reported "Long-Pandemic" effects that create a risk for similar somatic symptoms to develop in non-COVID-19 patients. Third, we describe what was known about somatization and somatic symptom disorder before the COVID-19 pandemic, and suggest that by analogy, Long-COVID may best be conceptualized as one of these disorders, with similar symptoms and predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors. Fourth, we review the phenomenon of mass sociogenic (functional) illness, and the concept of nocebo effects, and suggest that by analogy, Long-COVID is compatible with these descriptions. Fifth, we describe the current theoretical model of the mechanism underlying functional disorders, the Bayesian predictive coding model for perception. This model accounts for moderators that can make symptom inferences functionally inaccurate and therefore can explain how to understand common predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors. Finally, we discuss the implications of this framework for improved public health messaging during a pandemic, with recommendations for the management of Long-COVID symptoms in healthcare systems. We argue that the current public health approach has induced fear of Long-COVID in the population, including from constant messaging about disabling symptoms of Long-COVID and theorizing irreversible tissue damage as the cause of Long-COVID. This has created a self-fulfilling prophecy by inducing the very predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors for the syndrome. Finally, we introduce the term "Pandemic-Response Syndrome" to describe what previously was labeled Long-COVID. This alternative perspective aims to stimulate research and serve as a lesson learned to avoid a repeat performance in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ari R Joffe
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - April Elliott
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Martino L, Morello R, De Rose C, Buonsenso D. Persistent respiratory symptoms associated with post-Covid condition (Long Covid) in children: a systematic review and analysis of current gaps and future perspectives. Expert Rev Respir Med 2023; 17:837-852. [PMID: 37844017 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2023.2271836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is increasing evidence that also children can develop Long Covid. However, there are no specific reviews providing a clear description of reported respiratory symptoms and potential diagnostics. AREAS COVERED We performed on PubMed a systematic search of studies conducted on children aged less than 18 years with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection complaining about persistent respiratory symptoms; the aim of our review is to characterize the incidence, pattern and duration of respiratory symptoms after the acute infection in pediatric population. EXPERT OPINION Children can develop persisting respiratory symptoms, as documented by several follow-up studies both including or not control groups of non-infected children. However, the methodological variabilities of the analyzed studies does not allow to provide firm conclusions about the rate, type and best diagnostics for children with persistent respiratory symptoms. Future studies should investigate on larger pediatric cohorts the role of noninvasive diagnostics and new biomarkers as well as investigating therapeutic options both during acute infection or when Long Covid has been diagnosed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Martino
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Morello
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina De Rose
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Centro di Salute Globale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sansone F, Pellegrino GM, Caronni A, Bonazza F, Vegni E, Lué A, Bocci T, Pipolo C, Giusti G, Di Filippo P, Di Pillo S, Chiarelli F, Sferrazza Papa GF, Attanasi M. Long COVID in Children: A Multidisciplinary Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:1990. [PMID: 37370884 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13121990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
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 and daily activities. Yet, the pathophysiologic bases of Long COVID in children are largely unknown, and it is difficult to predict who will develop the syndrome. In this multidisciplinary clinical review, we summarise the latest scientific data regarding Long COVID and its impact on children. Special attention is given to diagnostic tests, in order to help the physicians to find potential disease markers and quantify impairment. Specifically, we assess the respiratory, upper airways, cardiac, neurologic and motor and psychological aspects. Finally, we also propose a multidisciplinary clinical approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Antonio Caronni
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Ospedale San Luca, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Bonazza
- Department of Health Sciences, Clinical Psychology, University of Milan, Via di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Vegni
- Department of Health Sciences, Clinical Psychology, University of Milan, Via di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy
- Unit of Clinical Psychology, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Via di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Lué
- Service of Digestive Diseases, University Clinic Hospital Lozano Blesa, IIS Aragón, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Tommaso Bocci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20146 Milan, Italy
- Clinical Neurology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, "Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Santi Paolo e Carlo", University of Milan, 20146 Milan, Italy
| | - Carlotta Pipolo
- Department of Health Sciences, Otorhinolaryngology Department, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuliano Giusti
- Paediatric Cardiology Unit, Niguarda Hospital, 20162 Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Di Filippo
- Paediatric Allergy and Pulmonology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Sabrina Di Pillo
- Paediatric Allergy and Pulmonology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Francesco Chiarelli
- Paediatric Allergy and Pulmonology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | | | - Marina Attanasi
- Paediatric Allergy and Pulmonology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Seery V, Raiden S, Penedo JMG, Borda M, Herrera L, Uranga M, Marcó Del Pont M, Chirino C, Erramuspe C, Alvarez LS, Lenoir M, Morales LD, Davenport C, Huespe Auchter S, Monsalvo L, Sastoque L, Gavazzi M, Russo C, Sananez I, Pando MDLÁ, Laufer N, Muiños R, Ferrero F, Geffner J, Arruvito L. Persistent symptoms after COVID-19 in children and adolescents from Argentina. Int J Infect Dis 2023; 129:49-56. [PMID: 36736574 PMCID: PMC9892252 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although long COVID-19 is widely recognized in adults, less information is available about this condition in children, especially in developing countries. Here, we studied the long-term symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection beyond 3 months and the associated risk factors in a pediatric population. METHODS This observational study included 639 Argentinian children and adolescents with previously confirmed COVID-19 from June 2020-June 2021 and 577 children without previous COVID-19. Parents completed a survey about symptoms that their child had for >3 months after the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS At least one persistent symptom was observed more frequently in children with previous COVID-19 than in the non-COVID-19 group (34% vs 13%, P <0.0001). SARS-CoV-2 infection increased the risk of headache, dizziness, loss of taste, dyspnea, cough, fatigue, muscle pain, and loss of weight by three- to seven-fold. The loss of smell was only reported in infected children. After controlling for the other variables, older age, symptomatic COVID-19, and comorbidities were independent predictors of long-term symptoms. CONCLUSIONS One-third of children experienced persistent symptoms after COVID-19. Older age, symptomatic infection, and comorbidities were shown to be risk factors for long COVID-19. Pediatric long COVID-19 is a new condition that requires further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanesa Seery
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA (INBIRS), Facultad de Medicina, UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, C1121ABG CABA, Argentina
| | - Silvina Raiden
- Hospital General de Niños Pedro de Elizalde, Av. Montes de Oca 40, C1270 CABA, Argentina
| | - Juan Martín Gómez Penedo
- Laboratorio de Análisis Estadísticos, Secretaría de Investigaciones, Facultad de Psicología. UBA- CONICET. Av. Hipólito Yrigoyen 3242, C1207ABR CABA, Argentina
| | - Mauricio Borda
- Hospital Pediátrico Juan Pablo II, Av. Artigas 1435, W3400, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Largión Herrera
- Hospital Dr. Salvador Mazza, Sta. Josefa Rosello 356, H3540, Chaco, Argentina
| | - Macarena Uranga
- Hospital Universitario Austral, Av. Juan Domingo Perón 1500, B1629, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Marcó Del Pont
- Hospital Universitario Austral, Av. Juan Domingo Perón 1500, B1629, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carina Chirino
- Policlínico Regional Juan Domingo Perón, Maipú 450, D5732, San Luis, Argentina
| | - Constanza Erramuspe
- Policlínico Regional Juan Domingo Perón, Maipú 450, D5732, San Luis, Argentina
| | - Laura Silvana Alvarez
- Hospital Universitario Austral, Av. Juan Domingo Perón 1500, B1629, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Melisa Lenoir
- Hospital Universitario Austral, Av. Juan Domingo Perón 1500, B1629, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Carolina Davenport
- Hospital General de Niños Pedro de Elizalde, Av. Montes de Oca 40, C1270 CABA, Argentina
| | | | - Liliana Monsalvo
- Hospital Dr. Salvador Mazza, Sta. Josefa Rosello 356, H3540, Chaco, Argentina
| | - Laura Sastoque
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA (INBIRS), Facultad de Medicina, UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, C1121ABG CABA, Argentina
| | - Magalí Gavazzi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA (INBIRS), Facultad de Medicina, UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, C1121ABG CABA, Argentina
| | - Constanza Russo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA (INBIRS), Facultad de Medicina, UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, C1121ABG CABA, Argentina
| | - Inés Sananez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA (INBIRS), Facultad de Medicina, UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, C1121ABG CABA, Argentina
| | - María de Los Ángeles Pando
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA (INBIRS), Facultad de Medicina, UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, C1121ABG CABA, Argentina
| | - Natalia Laufer
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA (INBIRS), Facultad de Medicina, UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, C1121ABG CABA, Argentina
| | - Roberto Muiños
- Laboratorio de Análisis Estadísticos, Secretaría de Investigaciones, Facultad de Psicología. UBA- CONICET. Av. Hipólito Yrigoyen 3242, C1207ABR CABA, Argentina
| | - Fernando Ferrero
- Hospital General de Niños Pedro de Elizalde, Av. Montes de Oca 40, C1270 CABA, Argentina
| | - Jorge Geffner
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA (INBIRS), Facultad de Medicina, UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, C1121ABG CABA, Argentina
| | - Lourdes Arruvito
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA (INBIRS), Facultad de Medicina, UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, C1121ABG CABA, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review describes recent findings about post-COVID condition (PCC, or Long COVID) in children, including current knowledge about its epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis and care. RECENT FINDINGS There is no internationally agreed definition of PCC, although now most researchers agree that it is a complex clinical symptomatology persisting for at least 3 months after COVID-19, without an alternative diagnosis. There are several uncertainties about paediatric PCC. So far, available literature suggest that 1-3% of recognized children with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome COronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may develop PCC. Its pathogenesis is unknown, although there is increasing evidence about possible abnormalities in the immune responses, cellular metabolism and intestinal microbiota, along with chronic endothelitis. SUMMARY Management of PCC in children is complex and require a multidisciplinary approach, with the goal of offering the best care possible to support diagnostics, research, mental health and access to research projects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Morello
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS
| | - Laura Martino
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS
| | - Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS
- Centro di Salute Globale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mariani F, Morello R, Traini DO, La Rocca A, De Rose C, Valentini P, Buonsenso D. Risk Factors for Persistent Anosmia and Dysgeusia in Children with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Retrospective Study. Children (Basel) 2023; 10:children10030597. [PMID: 36980155 PMCID: PMC10047825 DOI: 10.3390/children10030597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Olfactory and gustative dysfunctions are two of the most common post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children, which can have a negative impact on the routines of children and families. As several children have had COVID-19 since the Omicron variant, it is important to investigate if this increase in infections is reflected in higher olfactory/taste disfunctions. The primary aim of this study was to characterize the presence of olfactory/gustative problems in a cohort of children, its evolution, and its association with risk factors such as COVID-19 variant, hospitalization, presence of olfactory/gustative dysfunction during the acute phase, and vaccination. METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of children with microbiologically confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection evaluated in person at a referral pediatric post-COVID-19 clinic in Rome, Italy. We included children younger than 19 years old, evaluated from the beginning of the pandemic up to October 2022. At specific timepoints, we investigated the presence of olfactory/taste disfunctions and evaluated them according to the SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating at the time of infection. RESULTS A total of 1250 children (650 females; 52.0%) with a mean age of 6.77 (±4.12) years were included in the study. At 3, 6, 12, and 18 months, 12 (9.6%), 7 (5.6%), 2 (1.6%), and 1 (0.8%) of the children reported anosmia and dysgeusia post-COVID-19 infection, respectively. The presence of anosmia and dysgeusia during the acute phase of infection and being infected with a pre-Omicron variant were found to be significant risk factors for persistent olfactory and gustatory dysfunction during all follow-up periods. CONCLUSIONS anosmia and dysgeusia symptoms tended to decrease gradually over time, but not all children recovered quickly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Mariani
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Morello
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Anna La Rocca
- Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina De Rose
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Piero Valentini
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Centro di Salute Globale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Katsuta T, Aizawa Y, Shoji K, Shimizu N, Okada K, Nakano T, Kamiya H, Amo K, Ishiwada N, Iwata S, Oshiro M, Okabe N, Korematsu S, Suga S, Tsugawa T, Nishimura N, Hishiki H, Fujioka M, Hosoya M, Mizuno Y, Miyairi I, Miyazaki C, Morishima T, Yoshikawa T, Wada T, Ouchi K, Moriuchi H, Tanaka-Taya K, Saitoh A. Acute and Postacute Clinical Characteristics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Children in Japan. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2023; 42:240-246. [PMID: 36730047 PMCID: PMC9935236 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000003792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinical features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children have been changing because of the emergence and rapid spread of variants of concern (VOC). The increase in cases infected with VOC has brought concern with persistent symptoms after COVID-19 in children. This survey aimed to analyze the clinical manifestations and persistent symptoms of pediatric COVID-19 cases in Japan. METHODS We analyzed the clinical manifestations of pediatric COVID-19 cases reported between February 2020 and April 2022 in Japan, using a dedicated database updated voluntarily by the members of the Japan Pediatric Society. Using the same database, we also analyzed persistent symptoms after COVID-19 in children who were diagnosed between February 2020 and November 2021. RESULTS A total of 5411 and 1697 pediatric COVID-19 cases were included for analyzing clinical manifestations and persistent symptoms, respectively. During the Omicron variant predominant period, the percentage of patients with seizures increased to 13.4% and 7.4% in patient groups 1-4 and 5-11 years of age, respectively, compared with the pre-Delta (1.3%, 0.4%) or Delta period (3.1%, 0.0%). Persistent and present symptoms after 28 days of COVID-19 onset were reported in 55 (3.2%). CONCLUSIONS Our survey showed that the rate of symptomatic pediatric COVID-19 cases increased gradually, especially during the Omicron variant predominant period, and a certain percentage of pediatric cases had persistent symptoms. Certain percentages of pediatric COVID-19 patients had severe complications or prolonged symptoms. Further studies are needed to follow such patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Katsuta
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yuta Aizawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kensuke Shoji
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Subspecialties, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoki Shimizu
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Kenji Okada
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Subspecialties, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakano
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan
| | - Hajime Kamiya
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Center for Surveillance, Immunization, and Epidemiologic Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyoko Amo
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatric Emergency, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naruhiko Ishiwada
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Chiba University, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Satoshi Iwata
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Oshiro
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Japanese Red Cross Nagoya First Hospital, Aichi, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Okabe
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Kawasaki City Institute for Public Health, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Seigo Korematsu
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Shigeru Suga
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Infectious Disease Center and Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Mie National Hospital, Mie, Japan
| | - Takeshi Tsugawa
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Naoko Nishimura
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Konan Kosei Hospital, Aichi, Japan
| | - Haruka Hishiki
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masashi Fujioka
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Fujioka Pediatric Clinic, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mitsuaki Hosoya
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yumi Mizuno
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatric infectious diseases and immunology, Fukuoka Children’s Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Isao Miyairi
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Chiaki Miyazaki
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Fukuoka-city Social Welfare Agency, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tsuneo Morishima
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Tetsushi Yoshikawa
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan
| | - Taizo Wada
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Kazunobu Ouchi
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Moriuchi
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Keiko Tanaka-Taya
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Akihiko Saitoh
- From the The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Adler L, Israel M, Yehoshua I, Azuri J, Hoffman R, Shahar A, Mizrahi Reuveni M, Grossman Z. Long COVID symptoms in Israeli children with and without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e064155. [PMID: 36810170 PMCID: PMC9944622 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To estimate the prevalence of long COVID symptoms in children with and without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and to evaluate factors associated with long COVID. DESIGN A nationwide cross-sectional study. SETTING Primary care. PARTICIPANTS 3240 parents of children aged 5-18 with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection completed an online questionnaire (11.9% response rate); 1148 and 2092 with/without a history of infection, respectively. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome was the prevalence of long COVID symptoms in children with/without a history of infection. Secondary outcomes were the factors associated with the presence of long COVID symptoms and with failure to return to baseline health status in children with a history of infection including gender, age, time from illness, symptomatic illness and vaccine status. RESULTS Most long COVID symptoms were more prevalent in children with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection: headaches (211 (18.4%) vs 114 (5.4%), p<0.001), weakness (173 (15.1%) vs 70 (3.3%), p<0.001), fatigue (141 (12.3%) vs 133 (6.4%), p<0.001) and abdominal pain (109 (9.5%) vs 79 (3.8%), p<0.001). Most long COVID symptoms in children with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection were more prevalent in the older age group (12-18) compared with the younger age group (5-11). Some symptoms were more prevalent in children without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including attention problems with school malfunctioning (225 (10.8%) vs 98 (8.5%), p=0.05), stress (190 (9.1%) vs 65 (5.7%), p<0.001), social problems (164 (7.8%) vs 32 (2.8%)) and weight changes (143 (6.8%) vs 43 (3.7%), p<0.001). CONCLUSION This study suggests that the prevalence of long COVID symptoms in children with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection might be higher and more prevalent in adolescents than in young children. Some of the symptoms, mainly somatic symptoms, were more prevalent in children without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, highlighting the impact of the pandemic itself rather than the infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Limor Adler
- Department of Family Medicine, Tel Aviv University Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Health Division, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Moran Israel
- Health Division, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ilan Yehoshua
- Health Division, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Family Medicine, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Joseph Azuri
- Department of Family Medicine, Tel Aviv University Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Health Division, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Robert Hoffman
- Department of Family Medicine, Tel Aviv University Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Health Division, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Arnon Shahar
- Health Division, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Zachi Grossman
- Health Division, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Guo B, Zhao C, He MZ, Senter C, Zhou Z, Peng J, Li S, Fitzpatrick AL, Lindström S, Stebbins RC, Noppert GA, Li C. Long-term cardiac symptoms following COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. medRxiv 2023:2023.01.16.23284620. [PMID: 36711624 PMCID: PMC9882562 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.16.23284620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Background There is growing body of literature on the long-term cardiac symptoms following COVID-19. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize and evaluate related evidence to inform clinical management and future studies. Methods We searched two preprint and seven peer-reviewed article databases from January 1, 2020 to January 8, 2022 for studies investigating cardiac symptoms that persisted for at least 4 weeks among individuals who survived COVID-19. A customized Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to evaluate the quality of included studies. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to estimate the proportion of symptoms with 95% confidence intervals (CI), and stratified analyses were conducted to quantify the proportion of symptoms by study characteristics and quality. Results A total of 101 studies describing 49 unique long-term cardiac symptoms met the inclusion criteria. Based on quality assessment, only 15.8% of the studies (n=16) were of high quality, and most studies scored poorly on sampling representativeness. The two most examined symptoms were chest pain and arrhythmia. Meta-analysis showed that the proportion of chest pain was 10.1% (95% CI: 6.4-15.5) and arrhythmia was 9.8% (95% CI: 5.4-17.2). Stratified analyses showed that studies with low-quality score, small sample size, unsystematic sampling method, and cross-sectional design were most likely to report high proportions of symptoms. For example, the proportion of chest pain was 21.3% (95% CI: 10.5-38.5), 9.3% (95% CI: 6.0-14.0), and 4.0% (95% CI: 1.3-12.0) in studies with low, medium, and high-quality scores, respectively. Similar patterns were observed for other cardiac symptoms including hypertension, cardiac abnormalities, myocardial injury, thromboembolism, stroke, heart failure, coronary disease, and myocarditis. Discussion There is a wide spectrum of long-term cardiac symptoms following COVID-19. Findings of existing studies are strongly related to study quality, size and design, underscoring the need for high-quality epidemiologic studies to characterize these symptoms and understand their etiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boya Guo
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Chenya Zhao
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Mike Z He
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Camilla Senter
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Zhenwei Zhou
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA
| | - Jin Peng
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY
| | - Song Li
- Division of Cardiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Annette L Fitzpatrick
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Sara Lindström
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Rebecca C Stebbins
- Social, Genetic, & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Grace A Noppert
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Chihua Li
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, MI, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zeng X, Xie Y, Yang X, Peng Z, Tang J, Yang L, Lin S, Han J, Zhang Y, Wang D. SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance Through China Influenza Surveillance Information System — China, December 1, 2022 to February 12, 2023. China CDC Wkly 2023; 5:152-158. [PMID: 37009521 PMCID: PMC10061762 DOI: 10.46234/ccdcw2023.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The World Health Organization (WHO) proposed using influenza surveillance systems to carry out coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surveillance due to the similarity between the two diseases in some respiratory symptoms. To assess the prevalence of COVID-19, we analyzed the influenza-like illness (ILI) and positive rate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detections in ILI patients reported to the influenza Surveillance Information System (CNISIS) since late 2022. Methods Data related to ILI were reported by national surveillance sentinel hospitals. Positive testing for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses was conducted using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) detection by the national influenza surveillance network laboratories. Surveillance data were reported to CNISIS. Results Beginning on December 12, 2022 (Week 50), the ILI percentage increased dramatically, peaking in Week 51 at 12.1%. Subsequently, the ILI percentage began to decline rapidly from Week 52, 2022, and by Week 6, 2023 (February 6-12), the ILI and ILI percentage had returned to the levels observed at the beginning of December 2022. From December 1, 2022 to February 12, 2023, 115,844 specimens were tested for both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus. Of these, 30,381 (26.2%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 1,763 (1.5%) were positive for influenza virus. The positive rate of SARS-CoV-2 tests peaked at 74.1% around December 23 and 25. Conclusions Sentinel-based surveillance, previously established for influenza, is an effective way to track the circulation trend of SARS-CoV-2 during community-level epidemics. There was no co-prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus during the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, even during the winter influenza season. However, it is important to remain vigilant for the potential rise of influenza activities following the COVID-19 epidemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxu Zeng
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, Beijing Municipality, China
| | - Yiran Xie
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, Beijing Municipality, China
- Key Laboratory for Medical Virology, National Health Commission, Beijing Municipality, China
| | - Xiaokun Yang
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing Municipality, China
| | - Zhibin Peng
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing Municipality, China
| | - Jing Tang
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, Beijing Municipality, China
- Key Laboratory for Medical Virology, National Health Commission, Beijing Municipality, China
| | - Lei Yang
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, Beijing Municipality, China
| | - Shuxia Lin
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, Beijing Municipality, China
| | - Jun Han
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, Beijing Municipality, China
| | - Yanping Zhang
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing Municipality, China
| | - Dayan Wang
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, Beijing Municipality, China
- Dayan Wang,
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Campos C, Prokopich S, Loewen H, Sanchez-Ramirez DC. Long-Term Effect of COVID-19 on Lung Imaging and Function, Cardiorespiratory Symptoms, Fatigue, Exercise Capacity, and Functional Capacity in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10. [PMID: 36554016 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10122492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The long-term sequela of COVID-19 on young people is still unknown. This systematic review explored the effect of COVID-19 on lung imaging and function, cardiorespiratory symptoms, fatigue, exercise capacity and functional capacity in children and adolescents ≥ 3 months after infection. METHODS A systemic search was completed in the electronic databases of PubMed, Web of Science and Ovid MEDLINE on 27 May 2022. Data on the proportion of participants who had long-term effects were collected, and one-group meta-analysis were used to estimate the pooled prevalence of the outcomes studied. RESULTS 17 articles met the inclusion criteria, presented data on 124,568 children and adolescents. The pooled prevalence of abnormalities in lung imaging was 10% (95% CI 1-19, I2 = 73%), abnormal pulmonary function was 24% (95% CI 4-43, I2 = 90%), chest pain/tightness was 6% (95% CI 3-8, I2 = 100%), heart rhythm disturbances/palpitations was 6% (95% CI 4-7, I2 = 98%), dyspnea/breathing problems was 16% (95% CI 14-19, I2 = 99%), and fatigue was 24% (95% CI 20-27, I2 = 100%). Decreased exercise capacity and functional limitations were found in 20% (95% CI 4-37, I2 = 88%) and 48% (95% CI 25-70, I2 = 91%) of the participants studied, respectively. CONCLUSION Children and adolescents may have persistent abnormalities in lung imaging and function, cardiorespiratory symptoms, fatigue, and decreased functional capacity between 3 to 12 months after infection. More research is needed to understand the long-term effect of COVID-19 on young people, and to clarify its causes and effective management.
Collapse
|
19
|
Pellegrino R, Chiappini E, Licari A, Galli L, Marseglia GL. Prevalence and clinical presentation of long COVID in children: a systematic review. Eur J Pediatr 2022; 181:3995-4009. [PMID: 36107254 PMCID: PMC9476461 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-022-04600-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
A systematic literature review was conducted up to 15th February 2022 to summarize long COVID evidence and to assess prevalence and clinical presentation in children and adolescents. Articles reporting long COVID prevalence and symptoms based on original data in the paediatric population were included. Case series quality was assessed through the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. For observational studies, adherence to STROBE checklist was evaluated. Twenty-two articles were included: 19 observational studies (12 cohort/7 cross-sectional) and 3 case series. Nine studies provided a control group. We found a high variability in terms of prevalence (1.6-70%). The most frequently reported symptoms were fatigue (2-87%), headache (3.5-80%), arthro-myalgias (5.4-66%), chest tightness or pain (1.4-51%), and dyspnoea (2-57.1%). Five studies reported limitations in daily function due to long COVID. Alterations at brain imaging were described in one study, transient electrocardiographic abnormalities were described in a minority of children, while most authors did not evidence long-term pulmonary sequelae. Older age, female sex, and previous long-term pathological conditions were more frequently associated with persistent symptoms. CONCLUSION Long COVID evidence in children is limited, heterogeneous, and based on low-quality studies. The lockdown consequences are difficult to distinguish from long COVID symptoms. High-quality studies are required: WHO definition of long COVID should be used, controlled clinical studies should be encouraged, and the impact of new variants on long COVID prevalence should be investigated to ensure an objective analysis of long COVID characteristics in children and a proper allocation of healthcare system resources. WHAT IS KNOWN • Children rarely develop a severe respiratory disease in the acute phase of COVID-19. • A limited number of patients develop a multisystem inflammatory condition that can lead to multiorgan failure and shock. WHAT IS NEW • Persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection are reported in children and limitations in daily function due to long COVID symptoms affect school attendance. • Functional complaints of post-acute COVID are difficult to be distinguished from those due to social restrictions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Pellegrino
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Chiappini
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
| | - Amelia Licari
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic, and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Pediatric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Luisa Galli
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Gian Luigi Marseglia
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic, and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Pediatric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Roessler M, Tesch F, Batram M, Jacob J, Loser F, Weidinger O, Wende D, Vivirito A, Toepfner N, Ehm F, Seifert M, Nagel O, König C, Jucknewitz R, Armann JP, Berner R, Treskova-Schwarzbach M, Hertle D, Scholz S, Stern S, Ballesteros P, Baßler S, Bertele B, Repschläger U, Richter N, Riederer C, Sobik F, Schramm A, Schulte C, Wieler L, Walker J, Scheidt-Nave C, Schmitt J. Post-COVID-19-associated morbidity in children, adolescents, and adults: A matched cohort study including more than 157,000 individuals with COVID-19 in Germany. PLoS Med 2022; 19:e1004122. [PMID: 36355754 DOI: 10.1101/2021.10.21.21265133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term health sequelae of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) are a major public health concern. However, evidence on post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (post-COVID-19) is still limited, particularly for children and adolescents. Utilizing comprehensive healthcare data on approximately 46% of the German population, we investigated post-COVID-19-associated morbidity in children/adolescents and adults. METHODS AND FINDINGS We used routine data from German statutory health insurance organizations covering the period between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020. The base population included all individuals insured for at least 1 day in 2020. Based on documented diagnoses, we identified individuals with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 through June 30, 2020. A control cohort was assigned using 1:5 exact matching on age and sex, and propensity score matching on preexisting medical conditions. The date of COVID-19 diagnosis was used as index date for both cohorts, which were followed for incident morbidity outcomes documented in the second quarter after index date or later.Overall, 96 prespecified outcomes were aggregated into 13 diagnosis/symptom complexes and 3 domains (physical health, mental health, and physical/mental overlap domain). We used Poisson regression to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). The study population included 11,950 children/adolescents (48.1% female, 67.2% aged between 0 and 11 years) and 145,184 adults (60.2% female, 51.1% aged between 18 and 49 years). The mean follow-up time was 236 days (standard deviation (SD) = 44 days, range = 121 to 339 days) in children/adolescents and 254 days (SD = 36 days, range = 93 to 340 days) in adults. COVID-19 and control cohort were well balanced regarding covariates. The specific outcomes with the highest IRR and an incidence rate (IR) of at least 1/100 person-years in the COVID-19 cohort in children and adolescents were malaise/fatigue/exhaustion (IRR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.71 to 3.06, p < 0.01, IR COVID-19: 12.58, IR Control: 5.51), cough (IRR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.48 to 2.04, p < 0.01, IR COVID-19: 36.56, IR Control: 21.06), and throat/chest pain (IRR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.39 to 2.12, p < 0.01, IR COVID-19: 20.01, IR Control: 11.66). In adults, these included disturbances of smell and taste (IRR: 6.69, 95% CI: 5.88 to 7.60, p < 0.01, IR COVID-19: 12.42, IR Control: 1.86), fever (IRR: 3.33, 95% CI: 3.01 to 3.68, p < 0.01, IR COVID-19: 11.53, IR Control: 3.46), and dyspnea (IRR: 2.88, 95% CI: 2.74 to 3.02, p < 0.01, IR COVID-19: 43.91, IR Control: 15.27). For all health outcomes combined, IRs per 1,000 person-years in the COVID-19 cohort were significantly higher than those in the control cohort in both children/adolescents (IRR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.25 to 1.35, p < 0.01, IR COVID-19: 436.91, IR Control: 335.98) and adults (IRR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.31 to 1.34, p < 0.01, IR COVID-19: 615.82, IR Control: 464.15). The relative magnitude of increased documented morbidity was similar for the physical, mental, and physical/mental overlap domain. In the COVID-19 cohort, IRs were significantly higher in all 13 diagnosis/symptom complexes in adults and in 10 diagnosis/symptom complexes in children/adolescents. IRR estimates were similar for age groups 0 to 11 and 12 to 17. IRs in children/adolescents were consistently lower than those in adults. Limitations of our study include potentially unmeasured confounding and detection bias. CONCLUSIONS In this retrospective matched cohort study, we observed significant new onset morbidity in children, adolescents, and adults across 13 prespecified diagnosis/symptom complexes, following COVID-19 infection. These findings expand the existing available evidence on post-COVID-19 conditions in younger age groups and confirm previous findings in adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05074953.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Roessler
- Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare (ZEGV), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Falko Tesch
- Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare (ZEGV), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Manuel Batram
- Vandage GmbH, Bielefeld, Germany and Faculty for Business Administration and Economics, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Josephine Jacob
- InGef-Institute for Applied Health Research Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Danny Wende
- BARMER Institut für Gesundheitssystemforschung (bifg), Berlin, Germany
| | - Annika Vivirito
- InGef-Institute for Applied Health Research Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicole Toepfner
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Franz Ehm
- Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare (ZEGV), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Seifert
- Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare (ZEGV), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Oliver Nagel
- InGef-Institute for Applied Health Research Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Jakob Peter Armann
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Reinhard Berner
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Dagmar Hertle
- BARMER Institut für Gesundheitssystemforschung (bifg), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Stern
- AOK Bayern-Die Gesundheitskasse, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Pedro Ballesteros
- BARMER Institut für Gesundheitssystemforschung (bifg), Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Uwe Repschläger
- BARMER Institut für Gesundheitssystemforschung (bifg), Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Anja Schramm
- AOK Bayern-Die Gesundheitskasse, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Schulte
- BARMER Institut für Gesundheitssystemforschung (bifg), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Jochen Walker
- InGef-Institute for Applied Health Research Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Jochen Schmitt
- Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare (ZEGV), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Di Gennaro L, Valentini P, Sorrentino S, Ferretti MA, De Candia E, Basso M, Lancellotti S, De Cristofaro R, De Rose C, Mariani F, Morello R, Lazzareschi I, Sigfrid L, Munblit D, Buonsenso D. Extended coagulation profile of children with Long Covid: a prospective study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18392. [PMID: 36319840 PMCID: PMC9626616 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23168-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging data suggests that endotheliopathy changes can be associated with post covid condition (PCC) in adults. Research on the matter in children is lacking. We analyzed an extended coagulation profile including biomarkers of endothelial damage in children with PCC and compared it with a control group of children that fully recovered post- SARS-CoV-2 infection. A case-control study enrolling children below 18 years of age with previous microbiologically confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in a pediatric post-covid unit in Italy ≥ 8 weeks after the initial infection. Samples were taken at 8 and 12 weeks after the SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and analyzed for coagulation profiling (fibrinogen, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time, d-dimers, factor VIII coagulant activity, plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen and VWF ristocetin cofactor (RC)). We compared coagulation profiles in samples from children identified with PCC (at least one, or three or more symptoms, which could not be explained by an alternative diagnosis, at the 8- and 12-week follow-up assessment using the pediatric Long Covid International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC) survey. Seventy-five children were enrolled, 49.3% were females, the median age was 10.2 (IQR 4.9) years. Forty-six (61%) of the children had at least one persisting symptom at the eight weeks post-onset, (PCC8); 39/75 (52%) had persistent symptoms for more than 12 weeks (PCC12) and 15/75(32%) had at least three persisting symptoms (PCC ≥ 3) at 12 weeks. Children with PCC presented more frequently with abnormal D-Dimer levels above the reference range compared to children that had fully recovered at the 8-12 weeks (39.1% vs. 17.2%, p = 0.04), and 12 week follow up or more (41% vs. 17.2%, p = 0.05), and in children with three or more symptoms at 12 weeks follow up compared to those that had recovered (64.3% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.002). For the other coagulation profiles, there were abnormal values detected for VWF, FVIII, RC and Fibrinogen but no significant differences between children with PCC compared to controls. Although the majority of children in our cohort showed coagulation profile within or close to normal ranges, we found that a higher proportion of children with PCC, and specifically those with a more severe spectrum characterized with three or more persisting symptoms, had abnormal D-dimer levels compared to other children that fully recovered from an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Di Gennaro
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Radiotherapy, Oncology and Haematology, Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Piero Valentini
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Sorrentino
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Radiotherapy, Oncology and Haematology, Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Ferretti
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Radiotherapy, Oncology and Haematology, Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Erica De Candia
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Radiotherapy, Oncology and Haematology, Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Istituto di Ematologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Basso
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Radiotherapy, Oncology and Haematology, Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Lancellotti
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Radiotherapy, Oncology and Haematology, Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Raimondo De Cristofaro
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Radiotherapy, Oncology and Haematology, Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Istituto di Ematologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina De Rose
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Mariani
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Morello
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Lazzareschi
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Louise Sigfrid
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium Global Support Centre, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Daniel Munblit
- Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Child's Health, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Inflammation, Repair and Development Section, Faculty of Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
- Centro di Salute Globale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Although acute COVID-19 has been milder in children and young people compared with adults, there is a concern that they may suffer persistent symptoms. There is a need to define the clinical phenotype, determine those most at risk, the natural course of the condition and evaluate preventive and therapeutic strategies for both mental health and physical symptoms. RECENT FINDINGS More recent studies with control groups reported a lower prevalence of persistent symptoms in children and young people exposed to SARS-CoV-2. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that the frequency of the majority of reported persistent symptoms is similar in SARS-CoV-2 positive cases and controls. Children and young people infected with SARS-COV-2 had small but significant increases in persisting cognitive difficulties, headache and loss of smell. Factors associated with persisting, impairing symptoms include increased number of symptoms at the time of testing, female sex, older age, worse self-rated physical and mental health, and feelings of loneliness preinfection. SUMMARY This review highlights the importance of a control group in studies following SARS-CoV-2 infection, the need for case definitions and research to understand the outcomes of long COVID in children and young people.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Roz Shafran
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
| | - Shamez N. Ladhani
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St. George's University of London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Lopez-Leon S, Wegman-Ostrosky T, Ayuzo Del Valle NC, Perelman C, Sepulveda R, Rebolledo PA, Cuapio A, Villapol S. Long-COVID in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analyses. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9950. [PMID: 35739136 PMCID: PMC9226045 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13495-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 89.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this systematic review and meta-analyses is to estimate the prevalence of long-COVID in children and adolescents and to present the full spectrum of symptoms present after acute COVID-19. We have used PubMed and Embase to identify observational studies published before February 10th, 2022 that included a minimum of 30 patients with ages ranging from 0 to 18 years that met the National Institute for Healthcare Excellence (NICE) definition of long-COVID, which consists of both ongoing (4 to 12 weeks) and post-COVID-19 (≥ 12 weeks) symptoms. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using the MetaXL software to estimate the pooled prevalence with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviewers and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) reporting guideline was followed (registration PROSPERO CRD42021275408). The literature search yielded 8373 publications, of which 21 studies met the inclusion criteria, and a total of 80,071 children and adolescents were included. The prevalence of long-COVID was 25.24%, and the most prevalent clinical manifestations were mood symptoms (16.50%), fatigue (9.66%), and sleep disorders (8.42%). Children infected by SARS-CoV-2 had a higher risk of persistent dyspnea, anosmia/ageusia, and/or fever compared to controls. Limitations of the studies analyzed include lack of standardized definitions, recall, selection, misclassification, nonresponse and/or loss of follow-up, and a high level of heterogeneity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Lopez-Leon
- Quantitative Safety & Epidemiology, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, East Hanover, NJ, USA
- Rutgers Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Treatment Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Talia Wegman-Ostrosky
- Subdirección de Investigación básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico, Mexico
| | | | - Carol Perelman
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), SOMEDICyT, RedMPC, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Paulina A Rebolledo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Angelica Cuapio
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sonia Villapol
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Avenue, R10-117, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience in Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Xiao H, Liu Q, Mei H, Xue Q, Cai X, Xie X, Xia Z, Zhou Y, Li H, Zhu K, Wan Z, Song R, Liu Z. Behavioral problems of pediatric patients recovered from COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2022; 226:103571. [PMID: 35366515 PMCID: PMC8934713 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is profoundly affecting lives around the globe. Previous studies on COVID-19 mainly focused on epidemiological, clinical, and radiological features of patients with confirmed infection. Little attention has been paid to the follow-up of recovered patients. As a vulnerable population to adverse events, the health status of the COVID-19 recovered pediatric patients is of great concern. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of behavioral problems among pediatric patients recovered from the COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. Methods A total of 122 children who were suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases and hospitalized for treatment were enrolled in the study between April 2020 and May 2020 in Wuhan, China. We collected related information about hospitalization and discharge of the children and emotional symptoms of their parents through electronic medical records and questionnaire. The behavioral problems of children were examined by applying the parent-reported the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results The participant children were discharged from hospital after about two months. Among them, 76 (62%) were boys, and the mean age was 6.71 years old. The highest prevalence of behavioral problems among pediatric children with COVID-19 was for prosocial behavior (15%), followed by total difficulties (13%), emotional symptoms (11%), hyperactivity (10%), conduct problems (9%), and peer problems (1%). With regarding to their parents, 26% reported having symptoms of anxiety and 23% as having symptoms of depression. The scores of SDQ were higher in those children whose parents have emotional problems compared to parents without. Conclusion Long-term follow up studies on the psychological and behavioral problems of COVID-19 recovered children and their parents are warranted.
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
Accurately determining the risk of long COVID is challenging. Existing studies in children and adolescents have considerable limitations and distinguishing long-term SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated symptoms from pandemic-related symptoms is difficult. Over half of individuals in this age group, irrespective of COVID-19, report physical and psychologic symptoms, highlighting the impact of the pandemic. More robust data is needed to inform policy decisions.
Collapse
|
26
|
Kildegaard H, Lund LC, Højlund M, Stensballe LG, Pottegård A. Risk of adverse events after covid-19 in Danish children and adolescents and effectiveness of BNT162b2 in adolescents: cohort study. BMJ 2022; 377:e068898. [PMID: 35410884 PMCID: PMC8995669 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2021-068898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the risk of acute and post-acute adverse events after SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents in Denmark and to evaluate the real world effectiveness of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) among adolescents. DESIGN Cohort study. SETTING Nationwide Danish healthcare registers. PARTICIPANTS All Danish people younger than 18 years who were either tested for SARS-CoV-2 using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or vaccinated with BNT162b2 to 1 October 2021. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Risk of hospital admissions (any hospital contact of ≥12 hours); intensive care unit (ICU) admissions; serious complications, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), myocarditis, and neuroimmune disorders; and initiating drug treatment and health service use up to six months after being tested. Vaccine effectiveness in vaccine recipients compared with unvaccinated peers was evaluated as one minus the risk ratio at 20 days after the first dose and 60 days after the second dose. RESULTS Of 991 682 children and adolescents tested for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR in Denmark, 74 611 (7.5%) were positive. The risk of hospital admission with any variant for ≥12 hours was 0.49% (95% confidence interval 0.44% to 0.54%; 361/74 350), and 0.01% (0.01% to 0.03%; 10/73 187) of participants were admitted to an ICU within 30 days of testing positive. The risk of MIS-C within two months of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 0.05% (0.03% to 0.06%; 32/70 666), whereas no participants had myocarditis outside of MIS-C or encephalitis and fewer than five had Guillain-Barré syndrome. In the post-acute phase (1-6 months after infection), participants who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 showed a 1.08-fold (95% confidence interval 1.06-fold to 1.10-fold) increase in rate of contacts with general practitioners compared with a reference cohort sampled among all children tested for SARS-CoV-2 during the study period. Overall, 278 649 adolescents received BNT162b2. Compared with unvaccinated adolescents, the estimated vaccine effectiveness among 229 799 adolescents vaccinated with one dose was 62% (95% confidence interval 59% to 65%) after 20 days, and among 175 176 vaccinated with two doses was 93% (92% to 94%) after 60 days during a period when delta was the dominant variant. CONCLUSIONS The absolute risks of adverse events after SARS-CoV-2 infection were generally low in Danish children and adolescents, although MIS-C occurred in 0.05% (32/70 666) of participants with RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. In adjusted analyses, rates of general practitioner visits were slightly increased in SARS-CoV-2 positive children and adolescents, which could indicate persisting symptoms. BNT162b2 appeared to be effective in reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection with the delta variant in adolescents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helene Kildegaard
- Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Lars Christian Lund
- Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Højlund
- Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Lone Graff Stensballe
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The Juliane Marie Centre, Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Anton Pottegård
- Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Buonsenso D, Gennaro LD, Rose CD, Morello R, D'Ilario F, Zampino G, Piazza M, Boner AL, Iraci C, O'Connell S, Cohen VB, Esposito S, Munblit D, Reena J, Sigfrid L, Valentini P. Long-term outcomes of pediatric infections: from traditional infectious diseases to long covid. Future Microbiol 2022; 17:551-571. [PMID: 35264003 PMCID: PMC8910780 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2022-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There is limited evidence available on the long-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. In this article, the authors analyze the recent evidence on pediatric long covid and lessons learnt from a pediatric post-covid unit in Rome, Italy. To gain a better understanding of the concerns raised by parents and physicians in relation to the potential long-term consequences of this novel infection, it is important to recognize that long-term effect of a post-infectious disease is not a new phenomenon. The authors analyze the recent evidence on pediatric long covid and lessons learnt from a pediatric post-covid unit in Rome, Italy. Also, we analyze the long-term effects of other infectious diseases. An analysis of the recent evidence on pediatric long covid and lessons learnt from a pediatric post-covid unit in Rome, Italy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman & Child Health & Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Center for Global Health Research & Studies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Leonardo Di Gennaro
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Hemorrhagic & Thrombotic Diseases Center, Oncological Radiotherapy, & Hematology, Foundation 'A Gemelli' IRCCS University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina De Rose
- Department of Woman & Child Health & Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Morello
- Department of Woman & Child Health & Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico D'Ilario
- Department of Woman & Child Health & Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Zampino
- Department of Woman & Child Health & Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Piazza
- Pediatric Section, Department of Surgery, Dentistry, pediatrics, & Gynaecology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Attilio L Boner
- Pediatric Section, Department of Surgery, Dentistry, pediatrics, & Gynaecology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | | | - Valentina B Cohen
- Patient author, member of the CAC Community Advisory Council of Solve ME/CFS Initiative, Pietro Barilla Children's Hospital, Department of Medicine & Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, Parma, 43126, Italy
| | - Susanna Esposito
- Pietro Barilla Children's Hospital, Department of Medicine & Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, Parma, 43126, Italy
| | - Daniel Munblit
- Department of pediatrics & pediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Child's Health, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Joseph Reena
- MSc Immunology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Louise Sigfrid
- ISARIC Global Support Centre, Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Piero Valentini
- Department of Woman & Child Health & Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Behnood SA, Shafran R, Bennett SD, Zhang AXD, O'Mahoney LL, Stephenson TJ, Ladhani SN, De Stavola BL, Viner RM, Swann OV. Persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection amongst children and young people: A meta-analysis of controlled and uncontrolled studies. J Infect 2022; 84:158-170. [PMID: 34813820 PMCID: PMC8604800 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2021.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Data on the long-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and young people (CYP) are conflicting. We assessed evidence on long-term post-COVID symptoms in CYP examining prevalence, risk factors, type and duration. METHODS Systematic search of published and unpublished literature using 13 online databases between 01/12/2019 and 31/07/2021. Eligible studies reported CYP ≤19 years with confirmed or probable SARS-CoV-2 with any symptoms persisting beyond acute illness. Random effects meta-analyses estimated pooled risk difference in symptom prevalence (controlled studies only) and pooled prevalence (uncontrolled studies also included). Meta-regression examined study characteristics hypothesised to be associated with symptom prevalence. Prospectively registered: CRD42021233153. FINDINGS Twenty two of 3357 unique studies were eligible, including 23,141 CYP. Median duration of follow-up was 125 days (IQR 99-231). Pooled risk difference in post-COVID cases compared to controls (5 studies) were significantly higher for cognitive difficulties (3% (95% CI 1, 4)), headache (5% (1, 8)), loss of smell (8%, (2, 15)), sore throat (2% (1, 2)) and sore eyes (2% (1, 3)) but not abdominal pain, cough, fatigue, myalgia, insomnia, diarrhoea, fever, dizziness or dyspnoea. Pooled prevalence of symptoms in post-COVID participants in 17 studies ranged from 15% (diarrhoea) to 47% (fatigue). Age was associated with higher prevalence of all symptoms except cough. Higher study quality was associated with lower prevalence of all symptoms, except loss of smell and cognitive symptoms. INTERPRETATION The frequency of the majority of reported persistent symptoms was similar in SARS-CoV-2 positive cases and controls. This systematic review and meta-analysis highlights the critical importance of a control group in studies on CYP post SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S A Behnood
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - R Shafran
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, United Kingdom
| | - S D Bennett
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, United Kingdom
| | - A X D Zhang
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, United Kingdom
| | - L L O'Mahoney
- Diabetes Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - T J Stephenson
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, United Kingdom
| | - S N Ladhani
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, Public Health England Colindale, United Kingdom; Paediatric Infectious Disease, St. George's Hospital London, United Kingdom
| | - B L De Stavola
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, United Kingdom
| | - R M Viner
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, United Kingdom
| | - O V Swann
- Department of Child Life and Health, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|