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Pediatric long‐COVID: An overlooked phenomenon?
Author(s) -
Brackel Caroline L. H.,
Lap Coen R.,
Buddingh Emilie P.,
Houten Marlies A.,
Sande Linda J. T. M.,
Langereis Eveline J.,
Bannier Michiel A. G. E.,
Pijnenburg Marielle W. H.,
Hashimoto Simone,
TerheggenLagro Suzanne W. J.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pediatric pulmonology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.866
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1099-0496
pISSN - 8755-6863
DOI - 10.1002/ppul.25521
Subject(s) - medicine , covid-19 , pediatrics , multidisciplinary approach , population , disease , intensive care medicine , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pathology , social science , environmental health , sociology , outbreak
Background Long‐COVID is a well‐documented multisystem disease in adults. Far less is known about long‐term sequelae of COVID in children. Here, we report on the occurrence of long‐COVID in Dutch children. Patients and Methods We conducted a national survey asking Dutch pediatricians to share their experiences on long‐COVID in children. We furthermore describe a case series of six children with long‐COVID to explore the clinical features in greater detail. Results With a response rate of 78% of Dutch pediatric departments, we identified 89 children, aged 2–18 years, suspected of long‐COVID with various complaints. Of these children, 36% experienced severe limitations in daily function. The most common complaints were fatigue, dyspnea, and concentration difficulties with 87%, 55%, and 45% respectively. Our case series emphasizes the nonspecific and broad clinical manifestations seen in post‐COVID complaints. Conclusion Our study shows that long‐COVID is also present in the pediatric population. The main symptoms resemble those previously described in adults. This novel condition demands a multidisciplinary approach with international awareness and consensus to aid early detection and effective management.