Descriptive analysis of persistent symptoms after COVID-19 in children and adolescents
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Abstract
Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents is generally asymptomatic or can cause mild, short-duration illness. However, in some pediatric patients, COVID-19 symptoms can persist for an extended period, impacting their quality of life.
Objective: To determine the frequency of post-COVID-19 clinical manifestations in Colombian children and youth attending outpatient medical consultations and to explore aspects of their quality of life.
Methods: Cross-sectional study involving individuals under 18 with a confirmed history of SARS-CoV-2 infection who experienced COVID-19-associated symptoms for more than four weeks.
Results: 114 patients with a median age of 6.1 years were included. The most common post-COVID-19 symptoms were cough (52.6%), runny nose (40.4%), and fatigue (28.9%). At least 37% of the patients had four or more symptoms during consultation. Among the patients who responded to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), 62% rated their health status as good, and of those who responded to the EQ5D questionnaire, 71% rated their health status as the best possible. Six patients experienced an impact on their quality of life, primarily in the dimensions of pain and discomfort (67%) and limitation in daily activities (33%).
Conclusion: Long COVID syndrome is not limited to adults and may have significant implications for the health and well-being of children and adolescents, posing an emerging challenge in pediatric healthcare.
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