Long COVID-19 in Children

Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on January 02, 2023

Experts refer to COVID-19 symptoms that last for a period of months as “long-haul COVID-19” or “long COVID-19.” Most children who catch COVID-19 have either no symptoms or minor ones that only last a short time. In a study published by JAMA, indicates that between 5 and 10% of all children have ongoing symptoms or develop new ones in the 90 days following infection

We need more studies on long-term COVID-19 symptoms in both vaccinated and unvaccinated children to draw firm conclusions. Based on what we now know, it’s unlikely that your child will have this prolonged condition. But it’s still important to understand how it could affect them.

Experts don’t yet know what causes some kids to have long-term COVID-19 symptoms. While it’s clear that certain risk factors (like obesity and other underlying disease) may put someone at risk for serious illness from COVID-19, there’s no clear link between these conditions and long COVID-19 symptoms. Long-haul COVID-19 symptoms could still happen in children who had mild or no COVID-19 symptoms.

More research will help understand the possible risks tied to this condition.

Your child may have a variety of side effects after a case of COVID-19. In a report published by Frontiers in Pediatrics, the most frequent symptoms included:

Kids might have other long-term COVID-19 symptoms such as:

Your child’s specific symptoms may depend on the intensity of their illness. If they were in the intensive care unit (ICU) or on a ventilator, they may be more likely to have weak muscles, fatigue, a fast heart rate, and brain fog. These are all common side effects in people who’ve been in the ICU.

Long-term COVID-19 symptoms might seem similar or overlap with other conditions like:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis). This condition has no known cause but may look like long-haul COVID-19 symptoms. Chronic fatigue syndrome can cause intense lightheadedness, fatigue, brain fog, or something called “post-exertional malaise” (PEM).

PEM can happen after your child does more physical or mental activity than they’re used to. After, they may feel extremely tired, have headaches, or be sensitive to light and sound for days.

Orthostatic Intolerance. Those with long-haul COVID-19, especially children, might develop this condition. Orthostatic intolerance can make your child feel lightheaded, weak, dizzy, or faint when they sit or stand for more than a few minutes. This happens due to reduced blood flow to their brain.

With this condition, your child may not have the energy to be as active as they were before. They might need to sit down while in the shower or lie down after certain activities.

Since researchers don’t know much about the causes and treatment for long-haul COVID-19, it may be difficult to find solutions for your child’s symptoms. Blood tests and scans usually don’t offer many answers. Doctors often call these symptoms “medically unexplained.”

Since long COVID-19 symptoms vary widely among children, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment option. But because it can affect different body parts and organs, your doctor will do a complete physical exam and refer you to a specialist if necessary.

But there’s good news: According to experts, most kids with long COVID bounce back faster than most adults, usually within a few months.

If you suspect they may have any of these side effects, it’s best to contact your pediatrician right away. Many hospitals around the United States have created post-COVID care clinics to treat long-term symptoms. Your doctor can help you find one for your child, if needed.

Show Sources

SOURCES:

American Academy of Pediatrics: “Long-Haul COVID-19 in Children and Teens.”

Elsevier Public Health Emergency Collection: “Children with long covid.”

CDC: “What is ME/CFS?” “The Long Haul: Forging a Path through the Lingering Effects of COVID-19.”

Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy: “Long COVID-19 rare in children, study says.”

Johns Hopkins Medicine: “COVID ‘Long Haulers’: Long-Term Effects of COVID-19.”

The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health: “Illness duration and symptom profile in symptomatic UK school-aged children tested for SARS-CoV-2.”

JAMA: “Long-term Symptoms After SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children and Adolescents.”

Yale Medicine: “What Happens When Kids Get Long COVID?”

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