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2h ago

Pediatric Long COVID Risk More Than Doubles After Reinfection, Major U.S. Study Finds

Authors urge vaccination to reduce reinfections that raise the odds of persistent post-COVID conditions in youth.

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Ephrem Chen, 9, receives a COVID-19 booster shot and a flu vaccine from an IDPH nurse during a walk-in clinic on Dec. 3, 2023, at St. Procopius School in Pilsen. Illinois is recommending the COVID-19 vaccine this respiratory virus season for all children ages 6 to 23 months old and for children between the ages of 2 and 17 if they are in higher risk groups, or if their parents want them to have the shot, recommendations that are similar to those made by the American Academy of Pediatrics. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
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Overview

  • An NIH-funded RECOVER analysis published Sept. 30 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases reviewed electronic health records for more than 460,000 patients under 21 across 40 U.S. pediatric centers during the Omicron era.
  • Within six months, long COVID was diagnosed in about 904 per million after a first infection versus roughly 1,884 per million after a second infection.
  • Myocarditis risk tripled after reinfection and blood clots were more than twice as likely, with elevated risks also seen for kidney injury, cognitive issues, fatigue, and respiratory problems.
  • The increased risk after a second infection was consistent across age, sex, race and ethnicity, obesity status, vaccination status, and severity of the initial illness.
  • Researchers plan longer-term tracking and variant-specific analyses, and they highlight prevention through vaccination as a key strategy to lower long-term risks for children.