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1h ago

Second COVID Infection Doubles Long COVID Risk for Children, Large U.S. Study Finds

Researchers urge vaccination to reduce repeat infections that drive pediatric long‑COVID diagnoses.

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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

  • Published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, the NIH‑funded RECOVER study analyzed more than 465,000 electronic health records from 40 U.S. pediatric centers during the Omicron era (Jan 2022–Oct 13, 2023).
  • Long‑COVID diagnoses occurred at roughly 904 per million after a first infection versus about 1,884 per million after a second infection within six months.
  • Reinfection was tied to higher rates of specific complications, with myocarditis risk roughly tripling and blood‑clot risk more than doubling, alongside increased kidney, respiratory, fatigue, and cognitive issues.
  • The elevated risk after a second infection was observed across age, sex, race and ethnicity, weight status, vaccination status measured before the study period, and initial illness severity.
  • Authors note limits—including Omicron‑period data, vaccination status captured only before the study window, and short follow‑up—and plan further analyses on newer variants and longer‑term outcomes as vaccine guidance for children remains under discussion.