July 26, 2022, 9:05 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Little is known about the risk factors for developing Long Covid after a coronavirus infection. An international study has now found clues about when children are at risk.
People who have contracted the coronavirus can exhibit symptoms for months. However, studies on Long Covid and its risk factors have so far lacked data and representative samples from the population. U.S. researchers, as part of an international study, have now found indications of when children who have contracted the coronavirus are at higher risk of experiencing symptoms even months later. Factors such as the length of hospital stay, age, and the severity of symptoms play a role.
Overview
Risk Factors Examined in 3,500 Children
In an international study, researchers from the University of Carolina surveyed parents and their children who had to visit the emergency room due to coronavirus between March 2020 and January 2021. The affected individuals were interviewed starting from their visit for two weeks and continued to be interviewed up to three months afterward. The researchers observed 1,884 children with Covid and 1,701 children without Covid who visited the hospital for other reasons. The study participants came from eight countries: Argentina, Canada, Costa Rica, Italy, Paraguay, Singapore, Spain, and the United States. However, the majority were from the United States.
One in Ten Children with Long Covid
The results suggest that several risk factors could predict which children with coronavirus will exhibit Long Covid within 90 days after infection. These include four or more symptoms in the initial phase of the infection and a hospital stay of more than two days. Age also played a role. Persistent symptoms were more common in children aged 14 and older.
About one in ten children (9.8 percent) who were hospitalized with an infection reported Long Covid three months later, often experiencing fatigue, cough, and shortness of breath. Of the coronavirus-positive children who were sent home directly from the emergency room, 4.6 percent still had symptoms 90 days later.
Also interesting: Apparently far fewer cases of Long Covid after infection with Omicron
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Long Covid or Collateral Damage?
About 10 percent of children hospitalized with coronavirus reported signs of Long Covid after 90 days. At the same time, the study found that children hospitalized for reasons other than coronavirus also exhibited similar characteristics. About 5 percent of them still suffered from fatigue, concentration difficulties, or abdominal pain three months later.
According to the researchers, this indicates that other factors in the context of the pandemic also play a role. For example, lockdowns, isolation, and lack of social contacts could influence persistent symptoms. “The impacts of the Covid era include not only the Covid infection but also a significant increase in mental health issues,” explains study co-author Dr. Nathan Kuppermann in the press release.
Also interesting: According to a new study, the Covid vaccination offers only slight protection against Long Covid
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Three Risk Factors for Long Covid
The study also shows which risk factors for Long Covid should be closely monitored. A hospital stay of 48 hours or more, four or more symptoms at the onset of infection, and being 14 years or older apparently increase the likelihood of long-term symptoms. However, it is possible that older children can express their symptoms better than younger ones. Nevertheless, the results show “which children we need to keep a close eye on during their recovery after a positive Covid test,” concludes Kuppermann.
Sources
- 1. Funk, A.L., Kuppermann, N., Florin, T.A. (2022). Post–COVID-19 Conditions Among Children 90 Days After SARS-CoV-2 Infection. JAMA Network Open