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Review Article April 26, 2022

Long COVID in Children and Adolescents

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Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2022;24(2):21r03218

ABSTRACT

Objective: To review the empirical evidence regarding neuropsychiatric illness (long coronavirus disease [COVID]) in children and adolescents post–severe acute respiratory coronavirus disease 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Data Sources: A search of PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar was conducted from the date of inception until February 2022 using the keywords corona*, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, mental health, depression, anxiety, neurological, psychiatric, long COVID, and post-COVID outcomes. Age filters were used to include children and adolescents aged ≤ 18 years.

Study Selection: The search resulted in the identification of 526 articles; 48 articles met the inclusion criteria.

Data Extraction: Results are presented using a narrative review format. Data regarding long COVID in children and adolescents post–SARS-CoV-2 infection were extracted to understand epidemiologic trends, preventive measures, and treatment options.

Results: Studies during the initial phase of the pandemic reported a mixed range of symptoms from case reports or case series. However, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS‐C) was widely reported. During the subsequent phases, the emergence of new variants led to a surge of SARS-CoV-2 infections in pediatric populations. There were highly variable, mixed symptom clusters within 60 days post-infection, which resolved in many patients within 6 months. There were prolonged illnesses and impairments in some children and adolescents with long COVID, and many had similar symptoms even though they tested negative for COVID-19.

Conclusions: Long COVID symptoms are both physical and mental in nature among children and adolescents. The impairments have the potential to affect long-term functioning and increase the overall burden on health care delivery. Despite current studies having methodological issues, there is a consensus to provide multidisciplinary and holistic care to those in need.

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