ROMA. In children and adolescents Long Covid can last up to three years with consequences on school life and usual activities. This is revealed by a study published in eClinical Medicine, a journal edited by Lancet, and conducted on approximately 1,300 patients aged 0-18 yearsfollowed at thePost-Covid Pediatric Clinic at Gemelli Polyclinic.
“In this work – explains Dr. Danilo Common Senseprofessor of Pediatrics at the Catholic University and medical director of the Complex Operating Unit of Pediatrics of the Policlinico Foundation – we documented the progress of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pediatric age up to thirty-six months after the first infection”. It emerged that, although most patients recover from Covidsome continue to present symptoms attributable to Long Covid, up to 3 years after the initial infection. This confirms the existence of potential long-term consequences in children. “Many of those followed for three years after the initial infection were unable to resume their daily routines.with negative consequences on the ability to regularly attend school or carry out traditional extracurricular activities, due to the debilitating symptoms reported”, notes the expert.
Furthermore, “in our study – explains Buonsenso – vaccination has proven to be a protective factor against Long Covid, but this ‘shield’ effect varies depending on the number of doses received or the age of the patient”. Another data that emerged from the research is that the risk of presenting a serious form of Covid in the event of reinfection in the 24-36 months following the first infection is extremely low. “It must be said, however – explains the pediatrician – that, although rare, it is possible to develop Long Covid even following a reinfection. Furthermore, children with Long Covid are at greater risk of presenting symptomatic infections”.
2024-09-24 14:10:41