The Challenge of Studying Long COVID: An Updated Review

Petra Zimmermann; Laure F Pittet; Nigel Curtis

doi:10.1097/INF.0000000000003502

The Challenge of Studying Long COVID: An Updated Review

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2022 May 1;41(5):424-426. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000003502.

Authors

Petra Zimmermann^{1

2

3

4}, Laure F Pittet^{3

4

5}, Nigel Curtis^{3

4

6}

Affiliations

¹ From the Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg.
² Department of Paediatrics, Fribourg Hospital HFR, Fribourg, Switzerland.
³ Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne.
⁴ Infectious Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia.
⁵ Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.
⁶ Infectious Diseases Unit, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.

Abstract

Accurately determining the risk of long COVID is challenging. Existing studies in children and adolescents have considerable limitations and distinguishing long-term SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated symptoms from pandemic-related symptoms is difficult. Over half of individuals in this age group, irrespective of COVID-19, report physical and psychologic symptoms, highlighting the impact of the pandemic. More robust data is needed to inform policy decisions.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
COVID-19* / complications
Child
Humans
Pandemics
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
Research
SARS-CoV-2