Chronic Symptomatology Among Infants, Children, and Adolescents Within 12 Months After SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Abstract

Objective . The objective of this public health surveillance project was to estimate the proportion of persons under the age of 18 years with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who developed chronic symptoms and to further characterize the symptoms and associated factors. Methods . Parents provided information during a telephone interview or through a web-based questionnaire. Results . Of 212 infants, children, and adolescents, 11 (5.2%) experienced a wide range of mild to severe chronic symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection, with 90% indicating inability to continue normal activities. Factors associated with chronic symptoms were pre-existing chronic medical conditions overall, certain categories of symptoms (eg, neurologic/psychiatric symptoms), and specific symptoms experienced with the acute SARS-CoV-2 infection (eg, fatigue, vomiting). Conclusion . Future research regarding chronic symptomatology among persons with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection would benefit from the use of standardized definitions of the timing and duration of chronic symptoms and from the enrollment of comparison groups.