Characterizing long COVID in children and adolescents

About The Study: In this large-scale study, symptoms that characterized pediatric postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), or long COVID, differed by age group, and several distinct phenotypic PASC presentations were described. The research indices developed here will help researchers identify children and adolescents with high likelihood of PASC. Although these indices will require further research and validation, this work provides an important step toward a clinically useful tool for diagnosis with the ultimate goal of supporting optimal care for youth with PASC.

 Quote from corresponding author Rachel S. Gross, MD, MS:

“Our study is one of the first of its kind to characterize long COVID symptoms in children across age groups and develop a tool to help identify those who are most likely to have long COVID. This is important because there remains a common misperception that pediatric long COVID is rare, and this research can raise awareness of its impact on children.

“For this study, we looked at different groupings of symptoms across varying childhood ages and found that many of the symptoms were similar, but distinguishable from each other. Understanding why these differences occur can help inform future treatment tailored for specific age groups.”

Contact information for Rachel S. Gross, MD, MS: email Domonique Chaplin at Domonique.Chaplin@nyulangone.org.

To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link

(doi:10.1001/jama.2024.12747)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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