Long COVID symptoms may differ between younger children and adolescents

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-08-22 02:00

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The symptoms most associated with long COVID for children aged 6-11 are different to those for adolescents aged 12-17, according to a US study. Researchers surveyed the long-lasting symptoms of over 3800 children previously infected with COVID, alongside about 1500 children whose caregiver reports and antibody tests indicated no previous infection. Researchers identified groups of symptoms associated with long COVID, and found that younger children were more likely to experience a cluster of symptoms relating to stomach and digestive problems, and another characterised by sleep and memory/focus issues, while adolescents had a cluster dominated by change in smell or taste. The study authors say it is important to characterise long COVID separately for children and adolescents, but that more research is needed before their research indices can be used in clinical settings.