Descriptive analysis of persistent symptoms after COVID-19 in children and adolescents

Main Article Content

Martín Romero
Andrea Díaz
Martha Caicedo
Valentina Sánchez
Claudia Llanos
Gustavo Ordoñez
Antonio Madrid
Luis Gabriel Rocha Rodriguez

Abstract

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents is generally asymptomatic or can cause mild, short-duration illness. However, in some pediatric patients, COVID-19 symptoms can persist for an extended period, impacting their quality of life.


Objective: To determine the frequency of post-COVID-19 clinical manifestations in Colombian children and youth attending outpatient medical consultations and to explore aspects of their quality of life.


Methods: Cross-sectional study involving individuals under 18 with a confirmed history of SARS-CoV-2 infection who experienced COVID-19-associated symptoms for more than four weeks.


Results: 114 patients with a median age of 6.1 years were included. The most common post-COVID-19 symptoms were cough (52.6%), runny nose (40.4%), and fatigue (28.9%). At least 37% of the patients had four or more symptoms during consultation. Among the patients who responded to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), 62% rated their health status as good, and of those who responded to the EQ5D questionnaire, 71% rated their health status as the best possible. Six patients experienced an impact on their quality of life, primarily in the dimensions of pain and discomfort (67%) and limitation in daily activities (33%).


Conclusion: Long COVID syndrome is not limited to adults and may have significant implications for the health and well-being of children and adolescents, posing an emerging challenge in pediatric healthcare.

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How to Cite
Romero , M., Díaz, A., Caicedo, M., Sánchez, V., Llanos, C., Ordoñez, G., … Rocha Rodriguez, L. G. (2023). Descriptive analysis of persistent symptoms after COVID-19 in children and adolescents. Pediatría, 56(4), e482. https://doi.org/10.14295/rp.v56i4.482
Section
Originals
Author Biographies

Martín Romero , Director Ejecutivo,Grupo Proyectame, Bogotá, Colombia.

PhD en Salud Pública

Andrea Díaz, Consultor e investigador - Grupo Proyectame, Bogotá, Colombia

M.D., MPH, salud publica 

Martha Caicedo, Consultor e investigador - Grupo Proyectame, Bogotá, Colombia

M.D., M.Sc. Economía de la Salud y del Medicamento

Valentina Sánchez, Consultor e investigador - Grupo Proyectame, Bogotá, Colombia

Economista 

Claudia Llanos, División Médico Científica, Tecnoquímicas, Cali, Colombia.

M.D., M.Sc. Epidemiología 

Gustavo Ordoñez, Clínica Imbanaco, servicio de pediatría, Cali, Colombia

Medico Especialista en Pediatría, Especialista en Neumología Pediátrica 

Antonio Madrid , Clínica Imbanaco, servicio de pediatría,Cali, Colombia

Medico Especialista Pediatría , Especialista en  Cardiología Pediátrica  

Luis Gabriel Rocha Rodriguez, Consultor e investigador - Grupo Proyectame, Bogotá, Colombia.

M.D., M.Sc. epidemilogía clínica 

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