Intrinsic Kidney Pathology in Children and Adolescents Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Systematic Review

Editorial on the Special Issue "Advances in Pediatric Acute Kidney Injury"

Acute kidney injury (AKI) refers to a swift decline in kidney function, marked by the reduced excretion of waste products and disturbances in fluid and electrolyte balance [...].

Kidney complications associated with COVID-19 infection and vaccination in children and adolescents: a brief review

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread considerably across the globe, affecting numerous children and adolescents besides adults. Despite its relatively lower incidence rates in children and adolescents than in adults, some infected children and adolescents exhibit a severe postinflammatory response known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, followed by acute kidney injury, a common complication. Meanwhile, few reports have been available regarding kidney complications such as idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and other glomerulopathies associated with COVID-19 infection and vaccination in children and adolescents. However, the morbidity and mortality of these complications are not exceptionally high; more importantly, causality has yet to be clearly established. Finally, vaccine hesitancy in these age groups should be addressed, considering the strong evidence of COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy.

COVID-19 Vaccination in Pediatrics: Was It Valuable and Successful?

BACKGROUND

The mass vaccination of children against coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) has been frequently debated. The risk-benefit assessment of COVID-19 vaccination versus infection in children has also been debated.

AIM

This systematic review looked for answers to the question "was the vaccination of our children valuable and successful?".

METHODS

The search strategy of different articles in the literature was based on medical subject headings. Screening and selection were based on inclusion/exclusion criteria.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The search results revealed that the majority of the reported adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination in pediatrics were mild to moderate, with few being severe. Injection site discomfort, fever, headache, cough, lethargy, and muscular aches and pains were the most prevalent side effects. Few clinical studies recorded significant side effects, although the majority of these adverse events had nothing to do with vaccination. In terms of efficacy, COVID-19 disease protection was achieved in 90-95% of cases for mRNA vaccines, in 50-80% of cases for inactivated vaccines, and in 58-92% of cases for adenoviral-based vaccines in children and adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on available data, COVID-19 immunizations appear to be safe for children and adolescents. Furthermore, multiple studies have proven that different types of vaccines can provide excellent protection against COVID-19 in pediatric populations. The efficacy of vaccines against new SARS-CoV-2 variants and the reduction in vaccine-related long-term adverse events are crucial for risk-benefit and cost-effectiveness assessments; therefore, additional safety studies are required to confirm the long-term safety and effectiveness of vaccinations in children.