Impact on the nervous system of long COVID-19 infection in children

Abstract

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound global impact, raising concerns about its long-term effects, particularly neurological complications. While studies have highlighted such complications in adults, there is a paucity of research focusing on children.

Objective To examine the medium- to long-term neurological and cognitive symptoms in 18 year old children and below with positive versus negative COVID-19 antigens and to identify the probable risk factors to promote specific health actions.

Methods An observational study was carried out to determine neurological symptoms in the medium and long terms after COVID 19. A random sample of 124 children, both symptomatic or asymptomatic, tested positive or negative for COVID-19 through swab tests.

Results Neurological symptoms were assessed between 6 to 12 months and 2 years after the infection. Acute symptoms, including headache, anosmia, ageusia, and myalgia, were observed in more than 20% of the children, but they generally resolved within 6 to 12 months. Persistent functional difficulties, such as in studying, paying attention, and socializing, were reported in 3% of the cases. Behavioral symptoms at baseline were noted in 7.8% of children, but they were remitted in most cases, except for those with prior involvement.

Conclusion These findings underscore the need for continued monitoring of children following COVID-19 infection and the importance of tailored health interventions.

Resumen

Antecedentes La pandemia por enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19, en inglés) ha tenido un profundo impacto global y ha generado preocupación sobre sus efectos a largo plazo, especialmente sobre las complicaciones neurológicas. Si bien los estudios han destacado tales complicaciones en adultos, hay escasez de investigaciones centradas en niños.

Objetivo Examinar los síntomas neurológicos y cognitivos a mediano y largo plazo en niños de 18 años o menos, con antígenos positivos versus negativos para COVID-19, e identificar los posibles factores de riesgo para promover acciones de salud específicas.

Métodos Se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional para determinar los síntomas neurológicos en el medio y largo plazo tras COVID-19. Una muestra aleatoria de 124 niños se diagnosticó por tests de saliva. Los tests para COVID-19 podían ser negativos o positivos, en niños sintomáticos o asintomáticos.

Resultados Los síntomas neurológicos se evaluaron entre 6 y 12 meses y 2 años posinfección. Se observaron síntomas agudos como cefalea, anosmia, ageusia y mialgias en más del 20% de los niños, que generalmente se resolvieron en un plazo de 6 a 12 meses. En el 3% de los casos, se informaron dificultades funcionales persistentes, como para estudiar, prestar atención y socializar. Los síntomas conductuales se produjeron en el 7.8% en el momento inicial, pero remitieron en la mayoría de los casos, excepto en aquellos con afectación previa.

Conclusión Estos hallazgos enfatizan la necesidad del monitoreo continuo de niños tras la infección por COVID-19 y la importancia de intervenciones de salud personalizadas.

Keywords

Coronavirus - Infections - Cognition - Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome - Child

Palabras clave

Coronavirus - Infecciones - Cognición - Síndrome de COVID-19 Pós-Aguda - Niño

Authors' Contributions

NG: investigation, project administration, supervision, validation, writing – original draft, and writing – review & editing; AT: conceptualization, data curation, and methodology; IC: formal analysis, methodology, resources, and software; AC, BR, JMF, SV, ML, IW: investigation; and RA: conceptualization, data curation, investigation, methodology, supervision, and validation.

Publication History

Received: 21 September 2023

Accepted: 25 May 2024

Article published online:
24 September 2024

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