International care programs for Pediatric Post-COVID Condition (Long COVID) and the way forward

Brackel, C. L.H. et al. (2024) International care programs for Pediatric Post-COVID Condition (Long COVID) and the way forward. Pediatric Research, (doi: 10.1038/s41390-023-03015-0) (PMID:38287106) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

Background: Pediatric Post-COVID-Condition (PPCC) clinics treat children despite limited scientific substantiation. By exploring real-life management of children diagnosed with PPCC, the International Post-COVID-Condition in Children Collaboration (IP4C) aimed to provide guidance for future PPCC care. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional international, multicenter study on used PPCC definitions; the organization of PPCC care programs and patients characteristics. We compared aggregated data from PPCC cohorts and identified priorities to improve PPCC care. Results: Ten PPCC care programs and six COVID-19 follow-up research cohorts participated. Aggregated data from 584 PPCC patients was analyzed. The most common symptoms included fatigue (71%), headache (55%), concentration difficulties (53%), and brain fog (48%). Severe limitations in daily life were reported in 31% of patients. Most PPCC care programs organized in-person visits with multidisciplinary teams. Diagnostic testing for respiratory and cardiac morbidity was most frequently performed and seldom abnormal. Treatment was often limited to physical therapy and psychological support. Conclusions: We found substantial heterogeneity in both the diagnostics and management of PPCC, possibly explained by scarce scientific evidence and lack of standardized care. We present a list of components which future guidelines should address, and outline priorities concerning PPCC care pathways, research and international collaboration.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Scott, Dr Janet
• Authors: Brackel, C. L.H., Noij, L. C.E., Vijverberg, S. J.H., Legghe, C. L., Maitland-van der Zee, A. H., van Goudoever, J. B., Buonsenso, D., Munblit, D., Sigfrid, L., McFarland, S., Anmyr, L., Ashkenazi-Hoffnung, L., Bellinat, A. P.N., Dias, N. L.S., Edwards, A., Fashina, T., Juraški, R. G., Gonçalves, A. L.N., Hansted, E., Herczeg, V., Hertting, O., Jankauskaite, L. N., Kaswandani, N., Kevalas, R., Krivácsy, P., Lorenz, M., Malone, L. A., McVoy, M., Miller, D. W., Morrow, A. K., Nugawela, M. D., Oliveira, C. R., Oliveira, P. R.S., Osmanov, I. M., Overmars, I. B., Paintsil, E., Pinto Pereira, S., Prawira, Y., Dwi Putri, N., Ramos, R. C.F., Rasche, M., Ryd-Rinder, M., De Rose, C., Samitova, E., Savić Jovanović, T., Say, D., Scott, J. T., Shachar-Lavie, I., Shafran, R., Shmueli, E., Snipaitiene, A., Stephenson, T., Ténai, N., Tosif, S., Turkalj, M., Valentini, P., Vasconcelos, L. R.S., Villard, L., Vilser, D., Hashimoto, S., and Terheggen-Lagro, S. W.J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Pediatric Research
• Publisher: Springer Nature
• ISSN: 0031-3998
• ISSN (Online): 1530-0447
• Published Online: 29 January 2024
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the International Pediatric Research Foundation, Inc 2024
• First Published: First published in Pediatric Research 2024
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy