Post COVID-19 condition in children at a children's hospital in Japan.

Abstract

Acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with chronic symptoms, which was defined as post COVID-19 condition. The data on this condition in children are still limited. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate characteristics of post COVID-19 condition in pediatrics. Children referred to a long COVID-19 clinic were included at Tokyo Metropolitan Children's Medical Center between October 2021 and July 2022. Children with another diagnosis and those who failed to meet criteria for post COVID-19 condition were excluded. Demographic and clinical data were collected retrospectively. Of 33 referrals, nine were excluded, and 24 fulfilled the criteria for post COVID-19 condition. The median age and percentage of girl was 12.5 (IQR: 11-13) years and 29.2%, respectively. All the patients had mild, acute COVID-19. Dysgeusia and brain fog was observed more frequently during Delta and Omicron variant period, respectively. School absenteeism > 4 weeks was observed in 41.6% of the patients. Common symptoms included malaise, headache, dysgeusia, and dysosmia. The median duration of post COVID-19 condition was 4.5 (IQR: 2.8-5.2) months. Pain management and counseling using the pacing approach were the most commonly offered treatments. Symptom resolution and improvement was observed in 29.2% and 54.2% of the patients, respectively. One third of the patients referred for long COVID did not fit the definition of post COVID-19 condition. After a median follow-up of 4.5 months, the majority of them were resolved or improved.