Potential Predictors of Long COVID in Italian Children: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: Identifying predictive factors of long COVID syndrome (LCS) is essential to preventing and managing this condition. We investigated the prevalence, symptoms, and risk factors of LCS in a cohort of Italian children and adolescents. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional survey on demographic characteristics and clinical data related to COVID-19 phase and LCS in a cohort of children and adolescents, sending a questionnaire by using the PEDIATOTEM platform. Results: The prevalence of LCS was 25% (99/396). The most frequent symptoms of LCS included nasal congestion, diarrhea, headache, and fatigue. We found no association between demographic data (gender, age, and ethnicity) and LCS. Additionally, we showed that patients with concurrent allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease, and rheumatologic disease had a higher risk of LCS than patients without those comorbidities. Patients experiencing fatigue, muscle, and abdominal pain in COVID-19 showed a higher risk of LCS than patients complaining of other symptoms. We found no association between vaccination and LCS. Conclusions: Specific comorbidities or symptoms during acute illness were identified as being risk factors for LCS. Understanding which are the risk factors for LCS could yield a clearer picture of its pathogenesis.

Neuropsychological Symptoms and Quality of Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Children: A Survey in a Pediatric Population in the Abruzzo Region, Italy

“…Another common acute symptom described is headaches [5,36], which are more frequent in young people and patients with a previous diagnosis of primary headaches [37]. Indeed, in our previous publication on this survey, we found that 49.5% of COVID-19 patients complained of headaches in the acute infection, without a gender or age prevalence [20].…”

“…Patients were divided into two age-range subgroups: 6-12 (group 1) and 13-18 (group 2). From the collected data, the first study, aimed at investigating symptoms of acute COVID-19 and Long COVID-19 with its predictive factors, was developed and published [20,21].…”

“…Thus, a final set of 569 patients was evaluated (396 COVID-19 patients and 111 controls). For further details and the flow chart of the study, please refer to Schiavo et al [20].…”