34.3 CHRONIC MANIFESTATIONS AND PROLONGED ILLNESS FROM COVID-19 IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Although children are less likely to be infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a small subset of children develop serious acute illness, namely multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MISC). Acute MISC can cause severe disease requiring intensive medical care, and little is known about the long-term outcomes of acute MISC. Given what is known about similar inflammatory syndromes, serious COVID-19 illness is likely to have lasting effects on multiple body systems. In adults, it is estimated that approximately 10% of persons infected with COVID-19 develop a “long haul” illness, and emerging case reports highlight similar prolonged illness in adolescents.