Persistent symptoms are associated with long term effects of COVID-19 among children and young people: Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled studies

Sanaz Behnood, Fiona Newlands, Lauren O’Mahoney, Mahta Haghighat Ghahfarokhi, Mohammed Z Muhid, Jake Dudley, Terence Stephenson, Shamez N Ladhani, Sophie Bennett, Russell M Viner, Rowan Bhopal, Paige Kolasinska, Roz Shafran, Olivia V Swann and Andrea Takeda

PLOS ONE, 2023, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-17

Abstract: Background: Research on the long-term impact on COVID-19 in children and young people (CYP) has been published at pace. We aimed to update and refine an earlier systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the current evidence for Post-COVID-19 Condition in CYP. Methods: Studies from the previous systematic review were combined with studies from a systematic search from July 2021 to November 2022 (registration PROSPERO CRD42021233153). Eligible studies included CYP aged ≤19 years with confirmed or probable SARS-CoV-2 infection and symptoms persisting at least 12 weeks. Findings: 55 studies (n = 1,139,299 participants) were included. Over two-hundred symptoms were associated with Post COVID-19 Condition. Gastrointestinal problems, headaches, cough and fever were among the most prevalent symptoms with rates of 50.2%, 35.6%, 34.7% and 25.8% respectively. Twenty-one symptoms from 11 studies were suitable for meta-analysis. There were significantly higher pooled estimates of proportions of symptoms for altered / loss of smell or taste, dyspnoea, fatigue, and myalgia in CYP with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Heterogeneity was high suggesting substantial variation amongst the included studies. Conclusions: Many CYP continue to experience symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Efforts to aid early identification and intervention of those most in need is warranted and the consequences of COVID-19 for CYP call for long-term follow-up.

Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0293600

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293600

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