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Meta-Analysis
. 2022 Oct 1;35(5):461-467.
doi: 10.1097/QCO.0000000000000854. Epub 2022 Aug 3.

Long COVID in children and adolescents

Terence Stephenson  1 , Roz Shafran  1 , Shamez N Ladhani  2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Long COVID in children and adolescents

Terence Stephenson et al. Curr Opin Infect Dis. .

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

Terence Stephenson is also the Chair of the Health Research Authority for England and therefore recused himself from the Research Ethics Application for the CLoCk Study. All other authors report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

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