Long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized children: findings from an Italian single-center study

Autor: Valeria Calcaterra, Veronica Maria Tagi, Enza D’Auria, Alessia Lai, Sara Zanelli, Chiara Montanari, Elia Maria Biganzoli, Giuseppe Marano, Elisa Borghi, Valentina Massa, Agostino Riva, Gianvincenzo Zuccotti
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Italian Journal of Pediatrics, Vol 50, Iss 1, Pp 1-9 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1824-7288
DOI: 10.1186/s13052-024-01596-y
Popis: Abstract Background Limited evidence exists regarding the association between COVID-19 and Long COVID manifestations in children, particularly concerning variants of concern (VOCs). We aimed to characterize a cohort of pediatric patients hospitalized with confirmed acute SARS-CoV-2 and monitor them for Long COVID symptoms. Additionally, it seeks to explore any potential correlations between VOCs and clinical symptoms. Methods We conducted a prospective study involving children hospitalized from November 2021 to March 2023, with confirmed acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. A telephone survey was conducted at 3-6-12 months after discharge. Results We included 167 patients (77 F/90 M). Upon hospital admission, 95.5% of patients presented as symptomatic. Regarding patients for whom it was feasible to determine the SARS-CoV-2 variant (n = 51), the Delta variant was identified in 11 children (21.6%) and Omicron variant in the remaining 40 patients (78.4%: 27.5% BA.1 variant; 15% BA.2 variant; 57.5% BA.5 variant). 19 patients (16.5%) reported experiencing at least one symptom indicative of Long COVID (weight loss 31.6%, inappetence 26.3%, chronic cough 21.1%, fatigue 21.1%, and sleep disturbances, wheezing, abdominal pain and mood disorders 15.8%). In only 4 patients with Long COVID we could identified a specific SARS-CoV-2 variant (3 Omicron: 2 BA.1 and 1 BA.2; 1 Delta). Conclusions this study underscores that long COVID is a significant concern in the pediatric population. Our data reinforce the importance of continuously monitoring the impact of long-COVID in infants, children, and adolescents. A follow-up following SARS-CoV-2 infection is therefore advisable, with symptom investigation tailored to the patient’s age.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals
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