Long COVID in children
The impact of long COVID can vary from person to person and the severity and types of symptoms can also fluctuate from day to day for a single person. Some patients with long COVID are even able to continue with their routine activities, whilst others could be bedridden. However, long COVID or post-COVID isn’t just for adults. Almost half of children who contract coronavirus infection may have lasting symptoms.
Just like adults, not all children have the same long COVID symptoms. Children can have different longer-term manifestations of coronavirus, depending on their developmental stage. A recent study has attempted to classify the most common long-COVID symptoms in children, based on their age group.
About the study
The charity Long Covid Kids UK conducted a survey of close to 11,000 children between the ages of nought and 14 years old. The study determined the symptoms most commonly associated with children in three different age groups – from nought to three; from four to 11; and from 12 to 14 year olds. This study also illustrates that all individuals regardless of their age are at potential risk for long COVID and so, symptoms of long COVID in kids should also be taken seriously.
Children upto three years
The study found that children in this age group are more likely to experience mood swings, rashes, stomach aches, cough and loss of appetite. You may notice that your child is no longer eating their normal portion sizes. This may be because of stomach ache or maybe they are feeling too tired to eat properly. This can make it difficult for your child to get the right nutrition for their growth, development and recovery.
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4- to 11-year-olds
Children in this group were more likely to experience mood swings, trouble in concentrating, and also had rashes. With long COVID, many kids struggle to keep up with their schoolwork or sports. Signs and symptoms of mood swings experienced by kids, and even adults, include suddenly getting angry, sad, frustrated, and getting panicky and worrying too often. Mood swings also include feelings of hopelessness, low self-esteem and tiredness all the time.
12- to 14-year-olds
In this age group, children had an increased likelihood of experiencing fatigue, mood swings, and also had trouble remembering or concentrating. Children with long COVID may feel fatigued after activities which were not previously difficult to cope with for them. This can affect their quality of life and confidence levels. Post exertional symptoms due to long COVID, which worsen after physical stress, include brain fog, muscle aches or headaches along with increased fatigue or extreme tiredness.
What causes long COVID
Scientists from Harvard Medical School are looking into whether long COVID is caused by pockets of COVID-19 living in the gut. It is currently the strongest lead scientists have as to why long COVID symptoms are caused.
The half-life of the spike protein in the body is pretty short, so the continued existence of the virus beyond its half-life has led scientists to investigate a phenomenon they call “viral persistence”.
The number of patients with long COVID is continuing to grow which can increase the burden on the patients and health service as well.
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