Post COVID-19 condition in children and adolescents occurs in individuals with a history of confirmed or probable SARS-CoV-2 infection, when experiencing symptoms lasting at least 2 months which initially occurred within 3 months of acute COVID-19.
Current evidence suggests that symptoms more frequently reported in children and adolescents with post-COVID-19 condition compared with controls are fatigue, altered smell/anosmia and anxiety. Other symptoms have also been reported.*
Symptoms generally have an impact on everyday functioning such as changes in eating habits, physical activity, behaviour, academic performance, social functions (interactions with friends, peers, family) and developmental milestones.
Symptoms may be new onset following initial recovery from an acute COVID-19 episode or persist from the initial illness. They may also fluctuate or relapse over time.
Workup may reveal additional diagnoses, but this does not exclude the diagnosis of post COVID-19 condition. This can be applied to children of all ages, with age-specific symptoms and impact on everyday function taken into consideration.
* Symptoms described thus far in children and adolescents are non-specific and can occur with other childhood infections and illnesses. Due to the lack of empirical evidence, a broad list of potential post COVID-19 condition symptoms affecting different organ systems should be considered until more data are available. See below
Chest pain- Cognitive difficulties - Cough - Diarrhoea - Dizziness - Dyspnoea - Earache/ringing in ears - Fever - Headache - Insomnia - Joint pain or swelling - Light sensitivity - Loss of appetite - Mood swings - Myalgia - Nausea - Palpitations - Postural symptoms - Rash - Stomach ache - Sore eyes or throat
The clinical features included blisters/skin peeling, cold hands/feet, dark circles under eyes, discoloured fingers/toes, dermatological symptoms, extreme paleness, hair loss, hyperhidrosis, red/cracked lips, red welts, tingling feeling, twitches, chronic fatigue syndrome, impaired attention, listlessness, muscle weakness, orthostatic intolerance, tiredness/weakness, dizziness when standing, altered taste, anosmia/ageusia or parosmia/eusomia, body weight changes, constipation, problem swallowing, skipping meals, vomiting, depression, memory impairment, psychiatric symptoms, sadness, unexplained irritability, change in menstruation, chills, enlarged lymph nodes, neurological symptoms, problem seeing/blurred vision, problem speaking/communicating, seizures/fits, stiffness, hoarse voice, chest tightness, hearth rhythm disturbances, pulmonary embolism, respiratory symptoms, shortness of breath with activity, tachypnoea, nasal congestion and wheezing.
Chronic fatigue syndrome was diagnosed in only 0% of children with COVID-19