Clinical features of pediatric post-acute COVID-19: a descriptive retrospective follow-up study

Ital J Pediatr. 2021 Aug 26;47(1):177. doi: 10.1186/s13052-021-01127-z.

Abstract

To date, information on COVID-19 long-term post-recovery sequelae in children and adolescents remains scarce. A retrospective descriptive cohort study was performed by collecting data on 92 patients (age ≤ 18 years). All were evaluated during a face-to-face visit following a specially designed post-COVID-19 symptom assessment protocol at the following stage: 1-3 months after COVID-19 onset. Among the 92 children, 45 (49%) were completely free of any COVID-19-related symptoms, while 47 (51%) reported persistence of at least one symptom, in particular tiredness, loss of taste and/or smell and headaches. The most common post-acute COVID-19 clinical features were noted in children aged between 10 and 18 years. A detailed multidisciplinary follow-up of patients with COVID-19 seems relevant, whatever the severity of the symptoms.

Keywords: Pediatrics; Post-acute COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Symptom Assessment
  • Time Factors