Title:Impact of “Long Covid” on Children: Global and Hong Kong Perspectives
Volume: 20
Issue: 1
Author(s): Kam Lun Ellis Hon*, Alexander K.C. Leung, Karen Ka Yan Leung and Alex H.C. Wong
Affiliation:
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
Keywords:
COVID-19, coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, long COVID, mortality, influenza.
Abstract:
Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic spares no nation or city,
and the virus is responsible for the escalating incidence and mortality worldwide.
Objective: This article reviews the impact of “Long Covid” on Children.
Methods: A PubMed search was conducted in December 2021 in Clinical Queries using the key
terms "COVID-19" OR “long COVID”. The search was restricted to children and adolescent aged <
18 years and English literature.
Results: Many large-scale studies have provided strong scientific evidence as to the detrimental and
irreversible sequelae of COVID-19 on the health, psychology, and development of affected children.
Many insights into managing this disease can be obtained from comparing the management of
influenza. COVID-19 is generally a mild respiratory disease in children. Several syndromes, such as
multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and COVID toe, are probably not specific
to SARS-CoV-2. “Long COVID”, or the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, or the prolonged
isolation and containment strategies on education and psychosocial influences on children
associated with the pandemic, are significant.
Conclusion: Healthcare providers must be aware of the potential effects of quarantine on children's
mental health. More importantly, healthcare providers must appreciate the importance of the decisions
and actions made by governments, non-governmental organizations, the community, schools,
and parents in reducing the possible effects of this situation. Multifaceted age-specific and developmentally
appropriate strategies must be adopted by healthcare authorities to lessen the negative
impact of quarantine on the psychological well-being of children.
