Their symptoms may be less severe, but a study shows that nearly 6% of children affected by COVID-19 still show symptoms three months after their infection.
The study conducted between March 2020 and January 2021 in eight countries included 1,884 children aged 17 and under who visited an emergency room for COVID-19 and received follow-up after 90 days.
Long-lasting COVID was detected in nearly 9.8% of children who were hospitalized, and in 4.6% of children who were discharged after being seen in the emergency room.
The study was carried out by researchers from the University of Calgary, University of California at Davis, Northwestern University and Children’s Hospital of Chicago. It was peer-reviewed and published Friday by the medical journal JAMA Network Open.
The study clarified that long-lasting COVID was more likely in children 14 and older who had been hospitalized with more severe symptoms.
Rate higher in adults
Fatigue, weakness, coughing and difficulty breathing are the most common symptoms reported by children.
Researchers were able to follow up about 80% of patients, but caution that more studies are needed to determine if these conditions are chronic.
The study also indicates that rates of long-lasting COVID are significantly higher in adults than in children.
The DD Anna Funk, who is an infectious disease specialist at the University of Calgary, believes that this work highlights the importance of vaccination.
“Six percent is [presque] one in twenty children, she said. This should give pause to those who are hesitant to have their children vaccinated. »
“We know that vaccines reduce the incidence of serious illness, so it sounds like a good intervention to possibly decrease post-COVID problems in children. »