Study Reveals Alarming Long COVID Symptoms in Children; Urges Enhanced Care and Research
August 22, 2024Despite some criticisms regarding the pace of the RECOVER initiative, the pediatric research team has been praised for their responsiveness to families and patient representatives.
A dataset from the RECOVER Pediatric Observational Cohort Study is set to be released in fall 2024, which will aid further research on long COVID.
The study, which was funded by the PolyBio Research Foundation, emphasizes the need for ongoing research to understand the neurobiological impacts of long COVID.
Many children, like Rose, have faced challenges in finding medical professionals who acknowledge their complex symptoms, underscoring the need for better support systems.
The study utilized various scales, including the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, to assess mental health, revealing significant anxiety and depression levels among participants.
The authors of the study call for proper clinical evaluations and psychological support for affected children, emphasizing the necessity for relevant medical guidelines.
A recent study funded by the National Institutes of Health focused on long COVID symptoms in children and teenagers, aiming to enhance diagnosis and care for this vulnerable group.
Co-led by Dr. Rachel Gross from NYU Grossman School of Medicine, the study gathered surveys from over 5,000 caregivers, providing a comprehensive view of the impact of long COVID.
Experts warn that chronic illness in childhood, such as long COVID, poses long-term health implications, categorizing it as a public health crisis.
The research revealed that prolonged symptoms affect nearly every organ system in children and adolescents, often impacting multiple systems simultaneously.
Among the findings, 45% of infected school-aged children and 39% of infected adolescents reported persistent symptoms, significantly higher than their uninfected peers.
Common symptoms across age groups included back or neck pain, headaches, dizziness, and memory challenges, highlighting the diverse manifestations of long COVID.
Summary based on 19 sources
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Sources
Time • Aug 21, 2024
Long COVID Looks Different in KidsUSA TODAY • Aug 21, 2024
Teens and kids with long COVID are showing surprising new symptomsNBC News • Aug 21, 2024
The signature symptoms of long Covid in kids