- विज्ञापन -
A recent study highlights that about 15 per cent of babies and toddlers are experiencing long Covid, with symptoms varying depending on their age group. The research, published in JAMA Paediatrics, examined 1,011 children—including 472 infants and toddlers under the age of two and 539 preschoolers aged three to five—enrolled from March 2022 to July 2024.
It found that approximately 15 percent of these young children continued to show symptoms for at least three months following infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19. Long Covid in children is defined by the persistence of symptoms well beyond the initial infection period, often lasting three months or more.
The study revealed that about 14 percent of infants under two years old, and 15 percent of preschoolers aged three to five showed ongoing symptoms consistent with long Covid. Interestingly, the types of symptoms experienced differed significantly between the younger infants and toddlers and the older preschool-aged children. For those under two, the most common issues included trouble sleeping, fussiness, poor appetite, nasal congestion, and cough.
These symptoms are largely based on what caregivers observe since very young children may not be able to clearly communicate how they feel. In contrast, children aged three to five years were more likely to suffer from symptoms such as dry cough and daytime tiredness or low energy. In fact, 74 percent of preschoolers with probable long Covid reported experiencing a dry cough. This contrasts with older children and teenagers, who tend to experience neurologic symptoms like difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, lihgt headedness, headaches, stomach pain, and behavioural changes.
“This study is important because it shows that long Covid symptoms in young children are different from those in older children and adults,” said Tanayott (Tony) Thaweethai, associate director of Biostatistics Research and Engagement at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). He also pointed out that the difference in symptoms may be due to the way symptoms are reported: caregivers describe what they observe in younger children, whereas older children and adults can report how they feel directly.
The research team also noted the broader implications of long Covid in this young population. Children experiencing prolonged symptoms often had worse overall health outcomes, a lower quality of life, and even delays in development. These findings underscore the need for additional research to better understand the impact of Covid-19 on young children and to develop effective strategies for managing long Covid in this vulnerable group.
As the world continues to face waves of Covid19 infections, this study sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by infants and preschoolers, highlighting that long Covid is not limited to adults or older children. Caregivers and healthcare providers are urged to be attentive to these persistent symptoms in young children and to support further investigations into their causes and treatments.
The study serves as a call to action for more focused research into the unique ways Covid-19 affects the youngest members of society, particularly as they continue to grow and develop during a critical period of their lives.
