Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causes a spectrum of characteristics that range from asymptomatic seroconversion to severe cases, sometimes with prolonged symptoms. Only limited data are available about long-term consequences in pediatric population.

Objective of this research was to identify and compare long-term post-acute Covid-19 symptoms and sequelae in children after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in various age groups.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study. From March 2020 to December 2020 ninety-two paediatric Covid-19 patients (age ≤ 18 years) and their parents were enrolled in the study. To identify the long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection, we defined post-acute covid-19 as extending beyond three weeks from onset of first symptoms. All patients were evaluated in a face-to-face visit according to specially designed post-COVID-19 symptom assessment protocol 1 to 3 months after COVID-19 onset. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data.

Results

During the first follow up visit 49% of all patients were asymptomatic and had returned to their previous level of health, but 51% had persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection. From all the symptomatic children 19% had 1 symptom, 10% two, and 22% had 3 or more. Most often the complaints about long-term post-Covid-19 symptoms were seen among adolescents (age 15-18)-62%. In this age group the most common long-term symptoms were fatigue-31% and tiredness after good night sleep-31%, as well as headaches-15%, cognitive disturbances-12% and persistent loss of taste and/or smell-12%.

Conclusions

The long-term symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection are evident in paediatric population and affect children’s physical and emotional health. According to our data, the most common post-acute COVID-19 clinical features were noted in children from 15 to 18 years.