COVID-19 has been linked to an increased risk of death and morbidity, particularly in the elderly population and in people who belong to risk groups, but what about children?
The disease is often reported as presenting with milder symptoms in children. Members of The Long Covid Kids Support Group have often experienced acute multisystemic symptoms.
In a systematic review published in Acta Paediatrica, Jonas F Ludvigsson, a paediatrician at Örebro University Hospital and professor at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, reviewed 179 publications that might concern long COVID in children.
"The children were between nine and 15 years old and four were girls. All five children had fatigue, dyspnoea, heart palpitations or chest pain and four had headaches, difficulties concentrating, muscle weakness, dizziness and sore throats," says Professor Ludvigsson.
All of the children had remaining symptoms 6-8 months after COVID-19 onset. Fatigue was the predominant symptom.
"Half a year after disease onset, some of the children had improved, but none had fully returned to school. More research is needed into the prevalence and prognosis of long COVID in children, says Professor Ludvigsson.
"The healthcare needs to follow-up these children, some of these children have substantial complaints."
Conclusion
"In a systematic review published in COVID symptoms to adults and females may be more affected"
LongCovidKids.org is a parent and patient-led campaign & support group for parents of children with Long Covid. Our story started with a short film on long-lasting symptoms of Covid in children & are working on The Long Covid Kids Study with PeopleWith