Aim We evaluated the long-term clinical status of pediatric patients after testing positive for COVID-19. We hypothesized that there are similar symptoms to those that have been described in adults and children and that pediatric patients with neurophysiologic symptoms still present 3-5 months after infection have psychological consequences that interfere with their adaptive functioning. MethodWe recruited 322 COVID-19-positive pediatric patients, between 1.5 and 17 years old, from the outpatient clinic for COVID-19 follow-up. Neurological symptoms were analyzed at onset, after 1 month, and after 3-5 months. A psychological assessment with standardized questionnaires was also conducted to determine the impact of the disease. ResultsAt the onset of COVID-19, 60% of the total sample exhibited symptoms; this decreased after 1 month (20%) but stabilized 3-5 months after disease onset (22%). Prevailing long-COVID neurological symptoms were headache, fatigue, and anosmia. In the 1.5-5-year-old subgroup, internalizing problems emerged in 12% of patients. In the 6-18-year-old subgroup, anxiety and post-traumatic stress showed significant associations with neurological symptoms of long COVID. ConclusionsThese data demonstrate that long COVID presents various broad-spectrum symptoms, including psychological and long-lasting cognitive issues. If not treated, these symptoms could significantly compromise the quality of life of children and adolescents.

Neurological and psychological effects of long covid in a young population. a cross-sectional study / Guido, C. A.; Lucidi, F.; Midulla, F.; Zicari, A. M.; Bove, E.; Avenoso, F.; Amedeo, I.; Mancino, E.; Nenna, R.; De Castro, G.; Capponi, M.; Cinicola, B. L.; Brindisi, G.; Grisoni, F.; Murciano, M.; Spalice, A.. - In: FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY. - ISSN 1664-2295. - 13:(2022), pp. 1-10. [10.3389/fneur.2022.925144]

Neurological and psychological effects of long covid in a young population. a cross-sectional study

Guido C. A.;Lucidi F.;Midulla F.;Zicari A. M.;Amedeo I.;Mancino E.;Nenna R.;De Castro G.;Capponi M.;Cinicola B. L.;Brindisi G.;Murciano M.;Spalice A.
2022

Abstract

Aim We evaluated the long-term clinical status of pediatric patients after testing positive for COVID-19. We hypothesized that there are similar symptoms to those that have been described in adults and children and that pediatric patients with neurophysiologic symptoms still present 3-5 months after infection have psychological consequences that interfere with their adaptive functioning. MethodWe recruited 322 COVID-19-positive pediatric patients, between 1.5 and 17 years old, from the outpatient clinic for COVID-19 follow-up. Neurological symptoms were analyzed at onset, after 1 month, and after 3-5 months. A psychological assessment with standardized questionnaires was also conducted to determine the impact of the disease. ResultsAt the onset of COVID-19, 60% of the total sample exhibited symptoms; this decreased after 1 month (20%) but stabilized 3-5 months after disease onset (22%). Prevailing long-COVID neurological symptoms were headache, fatigue, and anosmia. In the 1.5-5-year-old subgroup, internalizing problems emerged in 12% of patients. In the 6-18-year-old subgroup, anxiety and post-traumatic stress showed significant associations with neurological symptoms of long COVID. ConclusionsThese data demonstrate that long COVID presents various broad-spectrum symptoms, including psychological and long-lasting cognitive issues. If not treated, these symptoms could significantly compromise the quality of life of children and adolescents.
2022
cns (central nervous system); covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019); sars-cov-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2); adolescents; children; long-covid syndrome; pediatrics; psychological effects
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Neurological and psychological effects of long covid in a young population. a cross-sectional study / Guido, C. A.; Lucidi, F.; Midulla, F.; Zicari, A. M.; Bove, E.; Avenoso, F.; Amedeo, I.; Mancino, E.; Nenna, R.; De Castro, G.; Capponi, M.; Cinicola, B. L.; Brindisi, G.; Grisoni, F.; Murciano, M.; Spalice, A.. - In: FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY. - ISSN 1664-2295. - 13:(2022), pp. 1-10. [10.3389/fneur.2022.925144]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1655361
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