A population-based serological study of post-COVID syndrome prevalence and risk factors in children and adolescents

Abstract

Post-COVID syndrome remains poorly studied in children and adolescents. Here, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of pediatric post-COVID in a population-based sample, stratifying by serological status. Children from the SEROCoV-KIDS cohort study (State of Geneva, Switzerland), aged 6 months to 17 years, were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 N antibodies (December 2021-February 2022) and parents filled in a questionnaire on persistent symptoms in their children (lasting over 12 weeks) compatible with post-COVID. Of 1034 children tested, 570 (55.1%) were seropositive. The sex- and age-adjusted prevalence of persistent symptoms among seropositive children was 9.1% (95%CI: 6.7;11.8) and 5.0% (95%CI: 3.0;7.1) among seronegatives, with an adjusted prevalence difference (ΔaPrev) of 4.1% (95%CI: 1.1;7.3). Stratifying per age group, only adolescents displayed a substantial risk of having post-COVID symptoms (ΔaPrev = 8.3%, 95%CI: 3.5;13.5). Identified risk factors for post-COVID syndrome were older age, having a lower socioeconomic status and suffering from chronic health conditions, especially asthma. Our findings show that a significant proportion of seropositive children, particularly adolescents, experienced persistent COVID symptoms. While there is a need for further investigations, growing evidence of pediatric post-COVID urges early screening and primary care management.

COVID-19 and its long-term sequelae: what do we know in 2023?

“…A third meta -analysis was published by Notarte et al, 17 and it included 37 peer -reviewed studies and 1 preprint screened through September 15, 2022. Most of the reviewed articles found that the symptoms of long -COVID -19 were associated with older age (though not reaching statistical significance in the meta -analysis; P = 0.17), A population -based study exploring the prevalence and risk factors of post -COVID syndrome in children and adolescents has also been recently published by Dumont et al 27 The authors followed -up for at least 12 weeks a total number of 1034 Swiss patients aged 6 months to 17 years, 570 (55.1%) of whom displayed anti-SARS -CoV -2 antibodies. In seropositive children, the rate of persistent symptoms was 9.1% (95% CI, 6.7%-11.8%).…”

Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors of Post-COVID-19 Condition in a Multicenter Pediatric Primary and Hospital Care Cohort

“…The prevalence of long COVID obtained is very similar to the 4.1% reported in a recent Swiss study comparing the prevalence of persistent symptoms in 570 infected children under 18 years of age with a control group. 6 These findings contrast with the prevalence of 14.6% in a pediatric multicenter study in Madrid, Spain. 4 It is possible that the difference is because their patients were more severely affected.…”

“…Other risk factors described in the literature have been age >12 years, having comorbidities (mainly obesity and allergy) or having been hospitalized. 2,5,6,8 The most frequent persistent symptoms were anosmia, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. The prevalence of anosmia obtained is much higher than the 1.7% reported in an Italian study, which highlights the impact that this symptom can have on children and adolescents.…”

“…This can help to better interpret the questions and answers of the questionnaire and have a higher response rate and with less memory bias. 3,6…”

“…Other risk factors described in the literature have been age >12 years, having comorbidities (mainly obesity and allergy) or having been hospitalized. 2,5,6,8…”