Study reveals distinct long Covid symptoms in children and adolescents

The study involved 898 children (ages 6-11) and 4,478 adolescents (ages 12-17) from over 60 sites across the US.

• EasternEye
• 27 August, 2024

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By: EasternEye

A RECENT study published in the JAMA medical journal has identified distinct long Covid symptoms in children and adolescents.

Researchers analysed data from the RECOVER Pediatric Observational Cohort Study, funded by the US National Institutes of Health, to better understand the long-term effects of Covid-19 in young populations.

The study involved 898 children (ages 6-11) and 4,478 adolescents (ages 12-17) from over 60 sites across the US. Participants with and without confirmed Covid-19 were included, but those with missing data or prior inflammatory syndrome were excluded.

Researchers identified 75 symptom types, with symptoms lasting 90 or more days post-infection considered as long Covid.

Findings revealed that 45 per cent of infected children and 39 per cent of adolescents experienced at least one persistent symptom, with 26 and 18 symptoms prolonged in over 5 per cent of children and adolescents, respectively, reported News Medical.

Four symptom phenotypes were unique to children, while three were unique to adolescents, highlighting differences in long Covid manifestations between these age groups.

The study also found that some symptoms took longer to manifest in adolescents than in children. Notably, 33 per cent of asymptomatic children and 27 per cent of adolescents without clinical Covid-19 history reported long Covid symptoms, suggesting that the condition may be more prevalent than previously thought.

Cluster analysis identified four distinct symptom clusters, which could serve as indices for future research. The study emphasised the need for tailored research and treatment approaches for long Covid in children and adolescents.