Pediatric long‐COVID: An overlooked phenomenon?

Brackel, Caroline L. H.; Lap, Coen R.; Buddingh, Emilie P.; van Houten, Marlies A.; van der Sande, Linda J. T. M.; Langereis, Eveline J.; Bannier, Michiel A. G. E.; Pijnenburg, Marielle W. H.; Hashimoto, Simone; Terheggen‐Lagro, Suzanne W. J.

BACKGROUND: Long‐COVID is a well‐documented multisystem disease in adults. Far less is known about long‐term sequelae of COVID in children. Here, we report on the occurrence of long‐COVID in Dutch children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a national survey asking Dutch pediatricians to share their experiences on long‐COVID in children. We furthermore describe a case series of six children with long‐COVID to explore the clinical features in greater detail. RESULTS: With a response rate of 78% of Dutch pediatric departments, we identified 89 children, aged 2–18 years, suspected of long‐COVID with various complaints. Of these children, 36% experienced severe limitations in daily function. The most common complaints were fatigue, dyspnea, and concentration difficulties with 87%, 55%, and 45% respectively. Our case series emphasizes the nonspecific and broad clinical manifestations seen in post‐COVID complaints. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that long‐COVID is also present in the pediatric population. The main symptoms resemble those previously described in adults. This novel condition demands a multidisciplinary approach with international awareness and consensus to aid early detection and effective management.