Exploring Long COVID in Pediatric Patients: Clinical Insights from a Long COVID Clinic

Background: Long COVID or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection is a persistent condition following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, affecting both adults and children. However, studies exploring the clinical spectrum and the impact of vaccination on long COVID in children remain limited. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review and data analysis of children aged 0-21 years who were seen at the long COVID clinic at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles between August 2021 and November 2023. All statistical analyses were performed using R Studio 4.2.2. Results: The study included 123 patients with a mean age of 13.1 years, of whom 63 (51.2%) were males. The mean onset of symptoms occurred 5 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection, with an average symptom duration of 31.3 weeks at presentation. Notably, 23 patients (18.6%) experienced symptoms lasting over 12 months. The most commonly reported symptoms were fatigue (92.7%), headache (69.9%), exercise intolerance (52.8%), dizziness (43.9%), and brain fog (40.7%). Among 74 patients with at least one follow-up visit, a general decrease in symptom severity was observed over time. No significant difference was found in the mean number of symptoms at 6 or 12 months between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Of the 43 patients vaccinated after the onset of long COVID, 19 (44.2%) reported symptom improvement. Conclusion: Fatigue and headache are the most prevalent symptoms of long COVID in pediatric patients across various age groups. A reduction in symptom burden was observed over time, and vaccination appears to have a beneficial effect in alleviating long COVID symptoms in some children. Larger studies with extended follow-ups are necessary to further validate these findings.