Considerations in Children and Adolescents Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Erin Y Chen; Justin M Burton; Alicia Johnston; Amanda K Morrow; Alexandra B Yonts; Laura A Malone

doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2023.03.004

Considerations in Children and Adolescents Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2023 Aug;34(3):643-655. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2023.03.004. Epub 2023 Mar 31.

Authors

Erin Y Chen¹, Justin M Burton², Alicia Johnston³, Amanda K Morrow⁴, Alexandra B Yonts⁵, Laura A Malone⁶

Affiliations

¹ Johns Hopkins School Medicine, 733 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
² Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Children's National Health System, 111 Michigan Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
³ Division of Infectious Disease, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
⁴ Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
⁵ Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's National Health System, 111 Michigan Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
⁶ Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Electronic address: lmalone3@jhmi.edu.

Abstract

Pediatric post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) or "long COVID" are a complex multisystemic disease that affects children's physical, social, and mental health. PASC has a variable presentation, time course, and severity and can affect children even with mild or asymptomatic acute COVID-19 symptoms. Screening for PASC in children with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection is important for early detection and intervention. A multifaceted treatment approach and utilization of multidisciplinary care, if available, are beneficial in managing the complexities of PASC. Lifestyle interventions, physical rehabilitation, and mental health management are important treatment approaches to improve pediatric PASC patients' quality of life.

Keywords: Fatigue; Long COVID; Multidisciplinary care; Pediatrics; Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2; Quality of life; Rehabilitation; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
COVID-19*
Child
Disease Progression
Humans
Life Style
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
Quality of Life
SARS-CoV-2

Grants and funding

P50 HD103538/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States