Long-Term Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Hospitalized Children: Findings from an Italian Single-Center Study
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2024
Citazione:
Long-Term Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Hospitalized Children: Findings from an Italian Single-Center Study / V. Calcaterra, V.M. Tagi, E. D'Auria, A. Lai, S. Zanelli, C. Montanari, E. Maria Biganzoli, G. Marano, E. Borghi, V. Massa, A. Riva, G. Zuccotti. - In: THE ITALIAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS. - ISSN 1824-7288. - 50:(2024), pp. 27.1-27.9. [10.1186/s13052-024-01596-y]
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.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
SARS-CoV-2; Infection; COVID; Long COVID; Long-term effects; Hospitalized; Children
Elenco autori:
V. Calcaterra, V.M. Tagi, E. D'Auria, A. Lai, S. Zanelli, C. Montanari, E. Maria Biganzoli, G. Marano, E. Borghi, V. Massa, A. Riva, G. Zuccotti
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