Medical and social consequences of COVID-19 for Russian children: results of a survey of parents

Abstract

Aim: to identify medical and social features of children of different age groups who suffered from COVID-19. 
 Materials and methods. A survey of legal representatives of minors was conducted during 2020–2022. Eleven thousand twenty five 1 year to 17 years children were included in the study. Study design: single-center, non-randomized, uncontrolled study. 
 Results. Among chronic pathology over all time periods, diseases of the respiratory system (allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma), endocrine system (diabetes mellitus, overweight and obesity), and skin and subcutaneous tissue (atopic dermatitis) occupied the first places. The vast majority of COVID-19 children showed a variety of symptoms, the most common being fever over 38°C, runny nose, sore throat, headache, and cough. Most parents believed that their child had a full recovery from COVID-19, which most often occurred after 1–2 weeks or 6 months or more. At the same time, most indicators of children’s functioning remained unchanged. Negative dynamics was observed in such signs as appetite, physical activity and performance. The most widespread specific consequences of the previous infection were impaired lung function, asthenic syndrome, and decreased psychophysical functioning.
 Conclusion. The identified specific and non-specific consequences of COVID-19 determine the need to manage comprehensive rehabilitation for children. Along with medical rehabilitation measures, the rehabilitation program should include psychological and pedagogical assistance to optimize the regime of psychophysical load and the implementation of relaxation classes aimed at stabilizing the emotional state, increasing the dynamic characteristics of higher mental functions.