The latest federal data published on Monday suggests that over 1 million children may have been affected by long COVID in 2023. This condition occurs when patients still exhibit symptoms at least three months after clearing the infection, and while it has been well-documented in adults, its impact on children has been less clear. Researchers from two divisions within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed results from the 2023 National Health Interview Survey, which monitors the health of the U.S. population. The study involved one child aged 17 or younger being randomly selected from each sample household, with parents providing information on their child’s previous COVID-19 illness, whether the child experienced symptoms lasting three months or longer, and if the symptoms were still present at the time of the interview. The analysis, published in JAMA Pediatrics, revealed that around 1.01 million children, or 1.4%, were estimated to have ever experienced long COVID in 2023, with approximately 293,000, or 0.4%, still experiencing the condition during the survey. These figures align closely with the estimated prevalence in 2022, indicating a persistent issue. Children between 12 and 17 years old were more likely to have experienced or still have long COVID, with higher prevalence observed among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white children compared to non-Hispanic Black and Asian children. Furthermore, long COVID was more common among children from families earning under $100,000 and parents with lower levels of education. Among children experiencing long COVID at the time of the interview, 80% reported some level of activity limitation compared to before contracting COVID-19. The authors emphasized the importance of examining the severity of these limitations, functional outcomes, and the impact on school attendance. Difficulty in verbalizing symptoms may lead to under-reporting of long COVID in younger children. Additionally, long COVID is more likely in individuals who had severe illness, and those who are unvaccinated against COVID-19 are at a higher risk of developing the condition. While the cause of long COVID remains uncertain, risk factors include underlying conditions. Studies have shown that patients with long COVID may have lower cortisol and testosterone levels, and one theory suggests that persistent viral activity could contribute to prolonged symptoms.
