BMJ Editorial: Long covid in children and adolescents (20 January 2022)

Summary

Symptoms involving almost every organ system have been reported after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Estimates of the prevalence of long covid (also called post-covid-19 condition, post-acute sequelae of covid-19, or chronic covid syndrome) vary considerably, partly because of confusion around the definition. The term long covid encompasses a broad range of symptoms, including objective complications of covid-19 (pulmonary fibrosis, myocardial dysfunction), mental health conditions, and more subjective, non-specific symptoms resembling those seen in post-viral chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis). Most studies to date have substantial limitations, including small cohorts, absence of control groups, non-standardised capture of symptoms, lack of correction for pre-existing medical conditions, participant reported infection, and variation in follow-up, as well as selection, non-response, misclassification, and recall biases.

In children and adolescents, acute Covid-19 is less severe than in adults. Concern among many parents has therefore focused more on the potential long term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Unfortunately, fewer data are available on long covid in young people compared with adults.